from me

I guess the usual bio for a creative talks about "producing strategically relevant work" or "creating truly memorable campaigns" on "a wide range of blue chip and highly respected brands" at "creative hotshops and large multi-national agencies" and of course having their work "recognised at major award shows".

Here’s the thing, after a long career in the industry ... you’d kind of expect all those things to be true.

And they are.

But what is hard to determine from a portfolio site or a LinkedIn profile, is what kind of person you’re looking at. 

What are they like to work with?

Are they a precious, precocious, prima donna creative?

Do they slack off on the ‘real’ work and put all their energy into ‘award’ work?

Will they make a disgrace of themselves in front of the client?

Are they an asshole?

And look, I can write the most glowing review of myself, but I think it’s more believable if I just let other folks that I’ve worked with tell you a little about me...

from others

“I’ve worked with Mick for the last 3 years - I hired him to lead the creative across the BOQ Group (ME bank, BOQ, Virgin Money) as part of in-house creative agency ‘The Inside Job’. Mick was brought in to lead the creative output, yes – but also to help grow and shape the team into one of the best (if not the best) in-house agencies in Australia.

During the time I have worked with Mick he’s helped transform the team, supporting, mentoring and growing other creatives, and also transformed the level of creative output. HIs fingerprints are all over the latest and greatest work out of the agency. Leading the team to success across IHAC awards and other notable wins.

Mick’s commitment to the work, is second to none - he strives for excellence in all aspects of creative thinking, the caliber of work we made has been second to non. The clients love working with him and respect his wealth of knowledge in the advertising industry. 

I could go on about Mick’s, commitment and quality of thinking but working with
Mick you realise he is about much more than that, he is also just a good human that deeply cares about the people that surround him, he’s selfless with his time when helping grow others. 

Whether Mick is in-house or in an agency his personality will be a huge reason you’ll want to keep him around, he helps shape a culture of creativity in an environment where everyone one is heard, even the most junior member of the team. And for all these reasons I couldn’t recommend him more, my loss will undoubtedly be someone’s massive gain”.
Stevie Thompson, Head of Brand & Advertising, The Inside Job.

“Mick delivers great work in spades - the passion, curiosity, optimism, relationship building, deep industry knowledge and natural instincts were so incredible to be around and learn from. I loved being able to pitch anything to Mick - no matter how wild or stupid - because he builds a safe space for creativity. And he has an innate knack for sifting through dirt to find gold. 

But it’s his naturally nurturing personality, mentorship and endless time to support those around him that makes Mick so special. I’ve watched his guidance instil confidence within so many of my team, myself included”.
Ed Pitts. Copy Lead, The Inside Job.


“Mick is one of the last of the nice guys in advertising”
Nichola Patterson, Melbourne Advertising & Design Club.

"I've worked with Mick for nearly 5 years and during that time he's been responsible for some of the best work we've done at TBWA Melbourne. Whether it was the Nissan Juke launch, huge ROI social content or the repositioning of Schweppes his commitment to the clients brand and the caliber of work we produced has been massive.
Whilst his output is great, the personality he injected into the office and the people around him is huge. Mick is one of the best blokes going around and a wonderful person to have in our business and I couldn't recommend him more highly."
Mike Napolitano, Managing Director, TBWA Melbourne

"Mick was with the agency for just short of 5 years. His fingerprints are over some of our best work, including the now institutionalised ANZ Buy Ready program, the relaunch of Schweppes masterbrand and viral [yes we have the stats to prove it] content for Nissan. But above his superior creative nous, he's a genuinely lovely man. He is loyal, honest and an absolute pleasure to have in the agency."
Kimberlee Wells, CEO, TBWA Melbourne

“Mick worked for me for over 4 years at Draftfcb Melbourne. During that time, he was my right hand man in our daily pursuit of excellence. His talent, experience and maturity made him a major asset to both me personally, and the Agency as a whole. And on top of that, he is bloody nice guy as well.”
Scott Lambert, Creative Director, DRAFTFCB, Melbourne.

“He would always crack the big idea and ensure it made all the right connections across different channels... Well worth whatever he’s asking for!”
Charlie Blower, CEO and Director, BlakLabs Singapore.

“He is extremely strong conceptually as well as a wonderful craftsman. I have no hesitation in recommending Mick for any challenge that requires some serious creative firepower. He’s a joy to work with. Nothing’s ever too much trouble for him. Even more important, he’s extremely good at what he does”.
Richard Ralphsmith, Executive Creative Director, Badjar Ogilvy.

“Mick is a highly talented creative with bags of passion for his craft. He’s a guy who’s always willing to roll up his sleeves and get the job done”.
Steve Hough, Executive Creative Director, Ogilvy Dubai.

“Mick is a text book example of the dream Art Director to work with and for... I found Mick’s vision, eye for detail, technical understanding, and general disposition make him an absolute pleasure and ease to work with. That fact that he is well and truly brilliant at what he does makes my job so much easier and much more enjoyable”.
Gerard Lambkin, Director, Cartel Film & Television.

“Mick’s passion for the work is unquestionable and he is very good at driving his projects from concept to final execution”.
Tim Higginson, Managing Director, DraftFCB Australia.

“Mick was a pivotal part of the creative team at DDB. I personally really enjoyed his ability to tackle client business issues, understand the objective and generate genuinely creative ideas to solve them. He is also one of the most personable, enthusiastic and enjoyable people to work with - I hope that we get to do so together again!”
Chris Bayman, Managing Director, DDB Melbourne.

*I have listed the positions that these nice folks either held when I worked with them, or to the best of my knowledge, their current position. Please forgive any inaccuracies.