Core skills:

Working with digital and design colleagues and clients across 20+ years, I’ve created copy for (among other things):

• Advertising
• Internal and external comms
• Social media
• Web
• Digital and print publications
• Promotional materials and advertising
• Press releases

I’m a particular specialist in tone of voice, working with each client or brief to determine the existing tone and/or develop the right one. I’ve used content management systems like Word Press, Gather Content and Contentful, and worked on a wide range of social media or web-specific projects.

I’ve always preferred working with a whole team on client briefs. Great copy comes from understanding the big picture – the look and feel as well as the client and the intended audience. Design contributes hugely to copy as well as the other way around, and I’ve always enjoyed working with design colleagues to find the right creative solutions to every client brief.

Work history: 

2017 – present: Freelance copywriter and creative contributor

Working with a wide range of clients, I help to generate creative, compelling and engaging content for websites, social media, marketing materials, print and digital magazines, video and animation scripts and much more. My primary skill may be writing, but I’m also a creative thinker. I very much enjoy helping to build a finished product, from concept to launch. Copy rarely exists in isolation, and I like to be part of the broader team that determines where and how it will be seen.       

2014 – 2017: Senior Copywriter, Mantra Content

Working with colleagues in design and creative to produce stand-out content for internal and external comms, web, digital, advertising, promotional materials, social media and video/animation scripts. Working directly with clients to find their tone of voice and manage their projects efficiently.

2012 – 2014: Senior Communications Executive, Scottish Enterprise

Liaising between media and SE services, issuing press releases and creating and providing media responses where necessary. Contributing content to the rebuild of the website as well as for social media.

2005 – 2012: Corporate Communications Officer, North Lanarkshire Council

Liaising between media and council services to promote good news stories and provide responses to press enquiries. Helped update and develop the website by advising on and contributing relevant content. Also contributed to social media policy and feeds.

2001 – 2004: Copywriter, Clayton Graham Communications

Working with design team and creative director to create concepts and deliver copy for advertising campaigns in print, radio and TV. Output included Sunday Herald ‘One World’ ad, and the Evening Times slogan ‘Nobody knows Glasgow better’. Other clients included Strathclyde Homes, RBS and Mountain Warehouse.

2000 – 2001: Creative Assistant, BD-TANK

Working with designers and account teams to develop and deliver concepts and copy for promotional campaigns, including brochures, catalogues, collateral and video. Always involved from concept to completion. Clients included Glenfiddich, Bacardi-Martini, Tennent’s, Arla Foods and ScottishPower.

1997 – 2000: Freelance writer

Features for The Herald and The Scotsman, as well as more general writing and copywriting for a variety of clients. Also provided general creative support to BD-TANK (now BD Network), producing copy and contributing to campaign creation and development.

1995 – 1997: Writer, The Shennan Agency

Business features for The Herald, The Scotsman, CA Magazine, Financial Times and Investors Chronicle.

Qualifications:

BA (Hons) Communication and Mass Media Studies, Glasgow Caledonian (1993)

Postgraduate Diploma, Leadership and Management for the Public Sector (2013)