Hello I'm John
Award-winning creative leader across sport, entertainment & culture. Earning attention for global brands, with iconic partnerships & superstar talent.
I'm a keen sailor, cyclist, swimmer, traveller, and cook. I love the outdoors, podcasts, all things biohacking, and walking the dog.
For work 💰, I've followed creative passions.
I love a creative challenge, I enjoy getting to know clients and their businesses in the process, and I have always pushed for mixing up my creative craft and output, resulting in a diverse range of skills and experience.
After completing an Advanced Diploma in Digital Design at Enmore Design College, I’ve spent the last 20 plus years working in design, branding, and advertising across Sydney 🇦🇺 and London 🇬🇧.
In recent years I’ve specialised in sport ⚽️, entertainment 🍿 and culture 👩🎤.
As Creative Director at The Gemba Group I connected big brands with some of the worlds best athletes, artists, global sporting properties and events, creating campaigns, fan experiences and content.
Previously, I was Creative Director at Octagon, doing similar things.
I’ve also worked client side, for one of Australia's largest telco's, Optus. This involved working with numerous agencies to produce a wide range of campaigns. I was also responsible for establishing an internal creative agency ‘Yes Agency’ to implement the business’s vision of becoming a mobile first broadcaster and content provider.
Prior to this, I was a founding partner and Creative Director of LiversedgeWeir, a creative collective providing branding solutions.
On going and for the last 10 years since developing True Proteins brand identity I have remained close to their business, consulting as a brand strategy & creative advisor.
This website is a sample of some of my work that illustrates my passion for great ideas and quality production.
Oh and if you’re still reading, not bored, and want to hear more about my creative process - read this interview with me on LBB Online.
I hope you enjoy.
Awards & achievements:
🏁🐊 Cairns Crocodile Grand Prix: McDonald's "Dare to Play" Squid Game Meal. 2025… ‘have a look’
🥇🐊 Cairns Crocodile Gold: McDonald's "Dare to Play" Squid Game Meal. Strategy, Media & Entertainment, Integrated, Food & Beverage, Experiential & Activation. 2025.
🥈🐊 Cairns Crocodile Silver: McDonald's "Dare to Play" Squid Game Meal. Media and Retail Campaign. 2025.
🥉🐊 Cairns Crocodile Bronze: McDonald's "Dare to Play" Squid Game Meal. Experiential & Activation. 2025.
🥉🦁 Cannes Lions: Mastercard The Live Trophy. Bronze Award, Entertainment Lions For sport. 2021… ‘have a look’
🥈 CLIO Sports: Silver Award 2020 for Mastercard The Live Trophy
🥇 The Drum Marketing Awards Europe 2020: “Best Technology-led Innovation of the Year” for Mastercard The Live Trophy
🥇 Annual Chief Marketer PRO Awards: Gold Award 2020 for “Best Integrated Campaign”, for Mastercard The Live Trophy
🥈 Annual Chief Marketer PRO Awards: Silver Awards 2020 in the “Best Sports Sponsorship or Tie-In” and “Best Use of Event or Experiential Marketing” for Mastercard The Live Trophy
🥇🤖 ANA International ECHO Award for Data Inspired Creativity 2020: best video content for QBE Swans Story… ‘have a look’
🥇 Nielson Sport 2020: QBE Swans Story acknowledged as the top sports campaign globally during Covid 19
👨⚖ Judge @ International ECHO Awards for Data Inspired Creativity, Virtual 2019
👨⚖ Judge @ International ECHO Awards for Data Inspired Creativity, NYC 2018
🦀🏊♂️ Established Bondi Salties 2013: in 2013 after 8 years of freezing Uk pond swims, 3 mates (myself Al and JR) were finally able to ocean swim again. Friday 6:30am North Bondi ramp soft sand and bay lap became a regular thing. Many people started joining. It’s now Bondi’s largest ocean swim group (not sure if true, sounds good though), eventually scaled masterfully by Henry Meagher.
🥇 Sports Industry Awards, UK 2011: Best sponsorship of a sport team or individual, for Teams Sky. ‘have a look’
🥇 Desk Top magazine 2005 Create Awards: website design Tight Knickers. ‘have a look’
🥈 Silver Pencil, Australasian Writers and Art Directors Association 2004: promotional website design category, Tight Knickers… ‘have a look’
Clients I’ve worked with:
