At the end of the day...

I'm a creative problem solver

About Stef Shaw

In a careers spanning over 25 years, I’m lucky to have experienced everything from creating websites for clubs and DJ’s in the early days of the Internet, to working with the ad land legend that is John Hegarty (at BBH), to promoting some amazing films and games (This is England, How to train your dragon, Pan’s Labyrinth, Transformers, Step Brothers, Superbad, Heavy Rain, inFamous etc etc).

To more recently working for the likes of BT, DAZN, Tipico, Draft Kings, Continental, VF Corp, in the world of Employer Branding.

Along the way I also picked up a BIMA 100 award for excellence in digital media. And did a stint at the BBC helping launch BBC Three online and pioneer new forms of interactive and digital storytelling for them.

I now want to share my skills and experience, across these sectors, working as a freelance/consultant creative director and conceptual copywriter.

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So, what can you expect from me?

Let’s talk freelance first…

You might be a consumer, entertainment or employer brand agency and you need some quick ideas*; headlines, a script for a social video or an ad – no worries, I’ve got you. (*including pitches).

Likewise, you’ve got a bigger project, and you need someone to steer it, there are lots of moving parts and there’s the opportunity for it to be great. I’ve got bags of experience in this space and can direct lots of different outputs.

You might work client side with your own in-house creative team but be missing a bit of experience; digital, social or employer brand for example. I can help your team learn and excel. Or maybe you don’t have an in-house team, but you want a lean solution over an agency. Let’s focus on your challenge and fix it.

You might be a film or TV production company and you understand the marketing advantages of approaches like gamified or immersive storytelling and want someone who has experience in this space. Someone who can collaborate with your creative teams on the production and make the most of this opportunity. I’ve got you here too.

Ah, that immersive storytelling phrase! Yes, over the years and for different clients, I’ve worked on projects that have really pushed audience experience, storytelling and innovation. For examples of this, check out my work for BT, BBC Three, Refuge Charity and Thorpe Park. The aim of this work is drive high levels of audience engagement, and based on these examples – it works!

So, I also offer my knowledge and experience as an "Immersive Storytelling Specialist".

Finally – having been around entertainment marketing and the entertainment industry for such a long time, I am now also producing my own entertainment IP. This is work that I’m writing/producing/directing. It’s a way to further push my creativity and pay homage to the genre movies, TV shows and podcasts, that I love.

Sound interesting or useful, please reach out and let’s have a chat.

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BT Security

Here’s a quick recap of my experience:

Palace of Vision – Clubs, DJ’s – early days of the Internet
Saatchi & Saatchi – Digital solutions and integrated – Columbia Tri-Star, Lexus/Toyota, Refugee Council and Lloyds TSB
BBH – Digital solutions and integrated – Levi’s, Lynx, Rolling Rock, Audi
Amaze – Pitch winning team on Toyota's European Internet Account
Greenroom Digital – Entertainment marketing – Sony Pictures/PlayStation, Paramount, Optimum Releasing/Studio Canal, Twentieth Century Fox, Lionsgate and Thorpe Park
Creative Partnership – Entertainment marketing – Sony PlayStation + Paramount
Code Computerlove – Digital marketing - Flava it/Meat Lust, Channel 4, Refuge Charity, Oxfam
BBC Studios – Digital Guerrillas experimental content team – BBC Three, BBC Studios and BBC Taster
Ph.Creative - Employer Brand & Talent Attraction - BT, VF Corp, NatWest Group, Tipico, Draft Kings, GVC, Continental, Blizzard Games

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Levi's Engineered Jeans

Refuge Charity

So, what am I like as a human?!

At work I think the creative experience should be enjoyable and as stress free as possible. I like to be decisive in my decision making and also giving to the team; so they can take ownership of the work and really bring something special into the mix.

Over the years I’ve been driven to support cause related clients and projects. This has covered refugees, domestic violence and diversity, equity and inclusion. I’m a big believer in promoting a just, fair and inclusive society.

At home, I’m lucky to have a lovely family including a wife, two football mad sons and a dog (a Boston Terrier called Rocky, named after Mr Balboa). When we’re not doing stuff together, I love creating my own things – films, podcasts, DJ mixes (see the selection below).

Services

Creative Strategy
Idea Development

Copywriting

Creative Direction

& Production Support