It’s me, Don Smith. And although my life is a rich tapestry of exciting adventures and ventures, you find yourself on my Fractional Creative Director website. So that’s what this particular biography is going to tell you about.
Lets begin with a few pictures, so you can judge this book by its cover.
Me ages ago, doing a TEDx talk
Me recently, about to put a hole in my iPhone
Me not long ago, looking thoughtful
I’m creative, I’m innovative, I’m strategic, and I’m a problem solver. With a belief in simplicity and results.
Before I began working for myself, I was a Creative Director for twenty five years, and quite a successful one at that!
I’m the kind of Fractional Creative Director you pull in when things are complex and complicated. I’m decisive and very strategic. I manage people very well, internally and externally. I’m very balanced and very experienced.
And my unique pitch strategy (I call it EVAC) is a proven winning formula.
I’m also good at motivating teams, relaxing clients, and delivering projects on time and on budget.
Ten interesting things about me & my career
I spent 25 years as a Creative Director, in the UK’s most successful agencies, Leith, HHCL, The Union, Realise.
I was one of the first traditional advertising CD’s to make the leap into the innovative digital industry.
I’ve won over 200 industry awards including D&AD, Cannes, Campaign, Drum, DADI’s, BIMA, Webbies, and Clios.
I’ve lectured on creativity, innovation and strategy for Edinburgh, Manchester, and Newcastle Universities.
I’ve contributed to, and written for The Drum, Marketing Week, Campaign Magazine and Econsultancy.
I’ve worked for clients in diverse sectors such as life sciences, government, utilities, transport, finance, education, food & drink, retail, travel and tourism, media, technology, energy, and sport.
I designed my own bespoke creative innovation model, designed to deliver commercial success through risk mitigation.
I have been recognised in the BIMA Top 100 as a leading Innovator, and delivered a TEDx talk on invention.
I’ve launched three new banks, four FinTech startups, five consumer brands and six media platforms.
In recent years I have designed and built in-house creative studios for Expedia and Prudential.
