About me:
I started out as an Account Manager for an advertising agency but soon realised this wasn't for me. The fact that my favourite bit of the job was copy editing was the giveaway.
Since then I've worked as a Copywriter. I've been a brand guardian for clients including the BBC and Charity Commission. And I've written for everyone from London Borough Councils to FTSE 100 financial institutions.
After a few years in agencies, I took to the road and spent 15 months working freelance from the sunny climes of Asia - combining travel and work. During those months I spent six nights onboard the Trans Mongolian train, climbed the Great Wall of China, created beautiful music in a Korean Noribang, ate ‘insides soup’ in Cambodia and meditated silently for ten days in Thailand. I also wrote job profiles for IBM, SEO copy for Reckitt Benckiser and music reviews for an unknown Cape Town band.
I am now safely home in the UK and looking forward to continuing the freelance work while making the most of having hot water and 24 hour electricity.
My job history:
Self Employed
Freelance Copywriter March 2010 – present
Bernard Hodes
Senior Copywriter June 2008 – March 2010
I worked on a wide variety of projects at Hodes; producing concepts and writing copy for large-scale graduate, employer branding and internal communications campaigns. I also contributed to successful pitch wins and high-profile websites, conducted interviews for employee profiles, carried out background research and wrote a graduate-targeted magazine. Plus, as the lead writer for BBC, MoJ and Charity Commission (amongst others), I attended client meetings, became a brand guardian, and supported Account Managers with briefings.
Tribal
MW Copywriter May 2007 – June 2008/Copywriter March 2005 – May 2007
As part of the busy creative team at this top-four UK recruitment advertising agency, I produced original and award-winning creative work for a range of public and private sector clients. I was also involved in employer branding projects, junior staff training, interviews and traffic management.
Tribal
Account Co-ordinator May 2004 – Dec 2005
In this role, I co-ordinated and processed advertising for public sector clients – including large NHS Trusts and Local Councils. It was a high-pressure position, which called for exceptional interpersonal, customer-care, and copy-editing skills.
Boyne Publicity
Account Manager March 2003 – May 2004
I processed and managed high-volume client accounts; overseeing the strategic direction of their advertising, writing copy and marketing material, and attended meetings to maintain effective working relationships.
Boyne Publicity
Account Handler Jan 2002 – March 2003
This role involved the day-to-day administration of high-volume client accounts.
Various
August 2001 – Jan 2002
A range of temporary roles - including Lease Car Co-ordinator and Admin Assistant.
VWA
Research Assistant August 1999 – August 2000
This was a work placement during my third year of degree study. As well as carrying out occupational research for use in litigation cases, I investigated pay rates and job availability, presented NOMIS findings, and assisted Occupational Psychologists with client observations and reports.
My training:
9 GCSEs
4 and a half A Levels
1 Sociology degree (BSc Hons 2:1)
Creative Writing course (1 year, evening class)
D&AD Workout – Writing for Advertising
Bernard Hodes in-house web optimisation training
Bernard Hodes in-house ambient media workshop
SEO Writing course (CIM accredited)
My interests:
When I’m not buried in a book or accidentally volunteering myself to write band biogs, restaurant reviews and websites for friends, my spare time is mostly spent socialising, trying to convince myself to go the gym or travelling. At the moment that’s taken me all the way to Asia. Which means overnight turn around on copy for my clients - and a beach on the doorstep for me.
