Friends and Mentors.The industry folk who make our course.
Gosh. I am humbled by the amount of people who give up their spare time to help my students. The copywriters, the art directors, the radio writers, the TV directors, the Creative Directors, the digital specialists and the PA's who organise some amazing stuff for us.
If the people below suddenly decide not to be involved I would cry for a year. And then become a postman.
This list is going to take me ages to put together so keep your eye on this page.
Your name might appear here soon.......
1 Charlie Spencer. Creative Director. Candle Music.
Charlie has been teaching at Watford longer than I have. He inspires/teaches us one day a year, but boy, what a day that is. This guy can play every instrument under the sun. He is a marvelous composer and his compositions/soundtracks have been used on many award winning TV and radio commercials.
The Charlie Spencer Day is a highlight of the Watford year.
2 Martin Sims. Creative Director. Eardrum.
Martin is a fantastic talent in the Radio Industry. As a writer, producer, director he has been responsible for some of the finest radio ads heard over the past 20 years. His early days as a stand up comedian has infused his presentations with sublime ironic wit and delightful observational anecdotes. Ex -Watford students always do rather well at the Annual Aerial Awards and a lot of the credit can be put at this man's door.
3. Dave Dye. Creative Director Dye Holloway Murray.
Dave had us spellbound recently as he talked about his ads and his approach to art direction. For an hour we were drawn into his aesthetic world where he gave us an insight in to his remarkable creative palette . He inspired us and beguiled us. Even the writers said they wanted to become art directors after Dave's talk.
4 Dave Trott.
We wouldn't have a course without Dave Trott. (See 'Top Creative Directors' page.)
5 Damon Hutson-Flynn . Freelance Creative
Damon is an art director,writer, commercials director, producer, visualiser, strategist.
A veritable one man agency. No wonder he is in such demand as a freelance creative. Damon lives near the college and whenever he has a spare day, which is rare, he pops in and runs tutorials and workshops. Top bloke.
6. Mark Barber. Radio Advertising Bureau
Mark has been helping us out with our Radio Module since 2002. He has run Radio Workshops at Watford and at The RAB. He has demonstrated a huge respect for the radio work we do at Watford and he recognises that we take this much under -valued medium seriously.
7 Liz Harold. Headhunter.
I have known Liz for over 28 years and I can honestly say that there isn't a more caring, compassionate lady in the advertising business. She has been a second mum to thousands of creatives. Liz has always been there to search and find the spiritual home where young teams have flourished.
I feel privlidged to know Liz and I am delighted she is still doing such a fantastic job in developing careers and encouraging young creatives with their folios. Liz has spent many hours talking to my students as a group and as individuals. Liz has also sponsored our Watford Team of The Year on many occasions.
8 Ed Webster. Channel 4.
Ed rang me up one day and asked if I'd like to bring the course in to Channel 4 to write some promos for the channel. That was 6 years ago. We have developed our relationship over the years and our Channel 4 visit is quite possibly the highlight of the academic year.
Ed has been instrumental in moving heaven and earth and the conference suite to give us some of the most challenging and memorable moments in our year. He has hosted our Graduation Ceremony. He has recruited our students. He has given our more media savvy students some generous freelance opportunities. I'd love to go into partnership with Channel 4. The ethos of the Channel 4 brand is a perfect fit with Watford.
9 Nicola Hawes /Andy Forrest, Rainey Kelley/Y&R.
These guys are born teachers. When they haul me out of Watford in a laundry basket with my comfort blanket stitched to my lower lip these guys will take my place. The encouragement, the placements, the opportunities and the sheer hours Nic and Andy bring to the course is amazing.
10 Ben Brazier/Jonny Skinner, McCann.
Wonderful guys. Great creatives. I love them dearly. Always a great help to our course. I can tell these guys are working their butts off for McCann. When they were at college they were both a lot chunkier than they are now.
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