ABOUT
ABOUT
IN BRIEF: 17 years ad agency experience - 13 of them at BMPDDB (Now Adam & Eve DDB). Freelance (and loving it) since 2009, working mainly on a short-term project basis with leading advertising and branding agencies (JWT, Leagas Delaney, Leo Burnett, Dare, Krow, Ogilvy and Wolff Olins, to name a few).I also work directly with business owners on brand invention and development, along with all aspects of communications.
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A strategic and creative thinker, I've written everything from big brand ideas and integrated campaigns to email marketing, web content and social media marketing.
RECENT:
The majority of the work I currently do is covered by non-disclosure agreements, but here's what I can say: In summer 2018, approached the new owners of a major UK grocery brand with a Creative Strategy and Advertising Concepts. This turned into a major 12 month project of development and research, in which the ideas performed outstandingly. I have also worked on new business pitches with Sky Creative Agency and JWT International. In late 2019 I was asked by a composer I'd worked with in the past to come up with an idea for a musical and develop 'The book' (story and lyrics). Since the Covid-19 crisis hit the freelance market I have mainly been working on this, plus a couple of novel / screenplay ideas of my own.
THE FULL STORY:
I haven't always been a copywriter. In a previous life I was a Marine Engineer Officer in The Merchant Navy. After six years I ran away from sea and swapped my adjustable spanner for a retractable ballpoint. I studied advertising in Manchester before moving to London. Along the way I did various other jobs - from factory fitter to lorry driver - so have a lot experience of life outside of the communications industry bubble, which I think helps in understanding audiences.
My first job as a copywriter was at Still, Price, Court, Twivy, D'Souza: Lintas, working with Art Director Michael Kaplan. The agency had the ambition to do great work, but after four years of wrestling with Captain Birds Eye and The Milky Bar Kid it was, unfortunately, known as 'Still Lintas'. Fortunately the call came from Tony Cox at DDB, where I spent thirteen happy years working on everything from American Airlines, Barclaycard and Cravendale Milk to Volkswagen and Walkers Crisps.
I went freelance in 2009, partly to experience working in different agencies and cultures and partly to pursue a couple of business ideas outside of advertising.
As a freelance I've worked with ad agencies as diverse as Ogilvy, Leagas Delaney, Krow, Dare and Sapient (now SapientRazorfish) as well as with branding agencies such as Wolff Olins and Turquoise Branding. I'm usually called in on short-term projects: panics, pitches and problem briefs.
In recent years I've increasingly worked directly with brand owners and marketing directors on brand invention and development (taking a personal stake in a few start-ups). I have a particular knack for hitting on apt brand and product names names that are available as domains.
My first job as a copywriter was at Still, Price, Court, Twivy, D'Souza: Lintas, working with Art Director Michael Kaplan. The agency had the ambition to do great work, but after four years of wrestling with Captain Birds Eye and The Milky Bar Kid it was, unfortunately, known as 'Still Lintas'. Fortunately the call came from Tony Cox at DDB, where I spent thirteen happy years working on everything from American Airlines, Barclaycard and Cravendale Milk to Volkswagen and Walkers Crisps.
I went freelance in 2009, partly to experience working in different agencies and cultures and partly to pursue a couple of business ideas outside of advertising.
As a freelance I've worked with ad agencies as diverse as Ogilvy, Leagas Delaney, Krow, Dare and Sapient (now SapientRazorfish) as well as with branding agencies such as Wolff Olins and Turquoise Branding. I'm usually called in on short-term projects: panics, pitches and problem briefs.
In recent years I've increasingly worked directly with brand owners and marketing directors on brand invention and development (taking a personal stake in a few start-ups). I have a particular knack for hitting on apt brand and product names names that are available as domains.
When not freelancing I'm working on some ideas for novels, developing a screenplay, co-writing a musical and, with partners, developing a couple of novel business ideas. Until one of these projects comes off (and hopefully makes me obscenely rich) I'm available for projects short or long.
THESE THINGS I DO:
CREATIVE STRATEGY | CONCEPT CREATION | COPYWRITING | SCRIPTWRITING | CREATIVE DIRECTION |BRAND COMMUNICATIONS...ABOVE, BELOW AND THROUGH THE LINE, ONLINE & OFFLINE, B2C & B2B.
BRAND EXPERIENCE
AUTOMOTIVE
FINANCE & INSURANCE
TELECOMS, COMPUTERS & ELECTROBICS
TRAVEL, TRANSPORT & LEISURE
MEDIA COMPANIES
SERVICES & RETAIL
PERSONAL CARE
OTC MEDICINES
DRINKS, SNACKS & FAST FOOD
DAIRY, GROCERY & HOUSEHOLD
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
INSTITUTIONS & CHARITIES
AWARDS
As a freelance working mainly on panics, pitches and problem briefs, opportunities to enter work into awards have been as rare as a month without a DFS sale. The freelancing began in 2009...
2009
BTAA Silver & Bronze: Philips Epilator, Karis
2008
Cannes Film Bronze: Philips Epilator, Karis
2006
BTAA Diploma: Cravendale, The Hinted
2005
Eurobest Finalist & Epica Bronze: Cravendale, The Hinted
2004
Cannes Film Finalist: Exxon Worldwide (Esso), Monkey
2003
BTAA Diploma & Cannes Film Finalist: VW Polo, Surfer
2002
D&AD Commendation & BTAA Bronze: VW Polo, Lucky Charms
2001
D&AD Commendation: American Airlines, Sardine Cannes Film Finalists: VW Polo, Lucky Charms & Cravendale, Pursuit. Eurobest Finalist, Cravendale, Pursuit
2000
Campaign Posters Silver: LT, Operating Instructions. Campaign Posters Commendations: LT, Individual Poster & Campaign Bus Lane Enforcement. Cannes Press/Poster Finalist: VW Golf Estate, Sheet
1998
Cannes Film Bronze & Clio Silver: McDonalds USA, Boxer. Cannes Film Finalist: Barclaycard, Hammer
1997
Cannes Press/Poster Finalist & Creative Circle Bronze Bud Ice, Caution. Creative Circle Bronze: Bud Ice, Tag. D&AD Commendations: Walkers, Salt & Lineker
1996
BTAA Gold & Cannes Film Finalist: Walkers, Salt & Lineker
1995
Campaign Posters Commendation: Walkers, The Shining. Cannes Press/Poster Finalist Arret, One Couple.
1994
Campaign Posters Commendation Arret, One Couple.
1993
D&AD Commendation: London Buses, Get on board Campaign
1992
Creative Circle Silver: London Buses, Stopped for a Paper. Independent Radio Awards (Ariels) Silver: London Buses, Stopper.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are you available?
Yes, unless I'm really not. I work mostly on short-term projects so will usually be free soon if not immediately.
What's your day rate?
That depends. You know the going rate. If it's just a day it'll be higher than for a week or a month. If it's our first time working together I can offer an introductory discount to prove my worth. If there's a fixed budget, maybe we can agree on a fixed fee. I like to be working, so will always try to work something out with you.
How do you charge?
I prefer to bill as a supplier through my own limited company, which is VAT registered.
Do you work with anyone?
Yes - for many years I've worked with Art Director Michael Kaplan and we still work together often.
Will you work with anyone?
Yes - I'm happy to work with Art Directors, Designers, Directors and other sentient beings.
Can you work the weekend?
Usually. Being freelance and having an understanding other half means weekends and Bank Holidays are much like any other days to me.
Have you worked on (insert your thing here) before?
Probably. Over twenty-odd years I've worked on projects in pretty much every sector. If I haven't worked in yours, does it really matter? I hadn't worked on crisps before Walkers, or on cars before VW and wrote work that won awards for both.
Anything you won't work on?
Not much. If it's legal to provide something I'll happily promote it. Exceptions are far-right political parties and faith healers. It's said that a principle isn't a principle until it costs you money. That's true - unless you subscribe to the philosophy of the Groucho Marx line: These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others.
Are you the Tim Charlesworth who's CEO & Harbour Master at Cattewater Harbour in Plymouth?
No.
Yes, unless I'm really not. I work mostly on short-term projects so will usually be free soon if not immediately.
What's your day rate?
That depends. You know the going rate. If it's just a day it'll be higher than for a week or a month. If it's our first time working together I can offer an introductory discount to prove my worth. If there's a fixed budget, maybe we can agree on a fixed fee. I like to be working, so will always try to work something out with you.
How do you charge?
I prefer to bill as a supplier through my own limited company, which is VAT registered.
Do you work with anyone?
Yes - for many years I've worked with Art Director Michael Kaplan and we still work together often.
Will you work with anyone?
Yes - I'm happy to work with Art Directors, Designers, Directors and other sentient beings.
Can you work the weekend?
Usually. Being freelance and having an understanding other half means weekends and Bank Holidays are much like any other days to me.
Have you worked on (insert your thing here) before?
Probably. Over twenty-odd years I've worked on projects in pretty much every sector. If I haven't worked in yours, does it really matter? I hadn't worked on crisps before Walkers, or on cars before VW and wrote work that won awards for both.
Anything you won't work on?
Not much. If it's legal to provide something I'll happily promote it. Exceptions are far-right political parties and faith healers. It's said that a principle isn't a principle until it costs you money. That's true - unless you subscribe to the philosophy of the Groucho Marx line: These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others.
Are you the Tim Charlesworth who's CEO & Harbour Master at Cattewater Harbour in Plymouth?
No.