The short version
For over 25 years I worked as a copywriter and creative director in leading advertising agencies, finding the words and ideas that connect clients with customers. Now I'm a Brisbane-based freelancer. I work with agencies and a handful of direct clients. Same big-agency brainpower, minus the layers, the overheads and the meetings about meetings. I call it Logic Magic. Strategy that stacks up, and ideas people actually remember. Every brief gets both.
The long versionSee LinkedIn
Work that earns its keep
I help clients outgun competitors. Reviving tired brands, launching new ones, shifting behaviour, driving sales. I find the insight, crack it open with an original idea, then judge it on one thing: did it work?
What's here leans toward the big campaign ideas, the ones with the awards and the long shelf lives. Day to day, I also turn out plenty of small, fast, affordable jobs, from social posts to eDMs to web copy. The canvas is smaller. The thinking isn't.
Some nice things clients have said
I take great pride in making clients happy. When they see value they keep coming back. Here's what a few had to say.
"Nick brought sharp thinking, curiosity and a strong creative instinct to QUT's brand work over many years. He played an important role in helping us build and express the University for the real world narrative, particularly through student recruitment campaigns that showcased real QUT talent and the global careers our graduates were building. His work helped position QUT in a way that was distinctive, authentic and highly relevant to future students."
Chief Marketing Officer, QUT (2017-2024)
"Nick has a strong understanding of government advertising and communications, acquired over many years. He's incredibly quick-witted, understands government audiences and stakeholders exceptionally well, and has a knack for turning complex challenges into simple, effective communication solutions. Nick brings valuable insights, energy, strategy and creativity, whether it's a mass media behaviour change campaign or a targeted stakeholder engagement initiative."
Campaign Manager, Community Road Safety, Dept of Transport and Main Roads
"We love working with Nick. He manages to inject life and personality into every job, even the small ones. Everything he does is grounded in smart business strategy. Never just creative for the sake of it. Nothing's ever a problem."
Marketing Services Manager, The Village Retirement Group
"Nick's a different breed of creative. He carefully guided us through the process from strategy to campaign execution, bringing everyone along for the ride. He's a great communicator and the end result speaks for itself."
Director of Marketing and Community Relations, Stuartholme School
Truly broad category experience
Over 25 years in Brisbane brand and creative agencies, servicing local markets as well as Sydney and Melbourne, means working in almost every category across every channel. Been there, done that. And keen to do more.
A cabinet full of Government campaigns
Alongside commercial work, decades of developing government and quasi-government campaigns have helped shape my capabilities. Small tactical projects through to major nationwide behavioural change initiatives with multi-million-dollar budgets. I understand how these clients think, the stakeholders, the research rounds, the approval processes, the shifting timelines. And I know how to make the work cut through with creativity, without losing its responsibility.
Let's talk
Got a brief, a half-formed idea or a brand that needs a rethink? I'd love to hear about it. No lock-in, no drama.
Need a bigger team? I bring in trusted designers, directors, editors and producers as the job calls for it. Lean but professional. Light and right.