Occasionally mega, often rad.
Adam Kirby
Creative Director for hire
I’m a creative director with 18 years experience in marketing and advertising. I’ve worked at agencies big and small and enjoyed a broad range of work spanning commercial, print, experiential, digital, social, content and retail. It’s allowed me to firmly establish my credentials as a through-the-line integrated creative. Developing the skills to negotiate the complexity of modern marketing in seemingly simple ways.
When I’m not getting paid to create ads I write and perform stand-up comedy, paint pictures of my cats, and tend to my garden.
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2022 - 2024 Distillery London – Creative Director
A return to start-up agency life. Iʼve transformed the offering of the content studio to deliver integrated campaigns across a range of consumer, charity and b2b tech clients. Notable successes include embedding an agency proposition focused on effectiveness, earning a DMA nomination and an Alliance win for ‘Queer Joyʼ, launching a Swedish cinnamon roll brand Gifflar in the UK, and winning work for Amnesty International. Managerial responsibilities include resourcing and revenue planning. Proud to have nurtured the team to earning a Campaign Best Places to Work 2023 nomination.
2021 - 2022 IMA Home – Associated Creative Director
From a pitch win, I led the agencyʼs largest account, Hisense. My role was combined creative and brand strategy, setting the brand's no-nonsense ‘letʼs get realʼ positioning for the Chinese electronicʼs brand in the US. Worked with a-list talent (Joel McHale and Dwayne Wade) across TVC and Social channels. I also won the Bumble account with ‘dating debriefʼ, an influencer content series, in the North of England.
2020 - 2021 Studio La Plage, Wilderness – Freelance
A period of freelance after my post-grad studies. Notable achievements included developing a record breaking TikTok campaign for Mastercard (Priceless Wave) and a Gen-Z content series for Direct Line in partnership with Channel 4.
2012 - 2018 Forever Beta – Senior Creative
From a team of 5, I was part of the agencyʼs growth to 50 people leading on the Co-op and Google accounts. Learning that graft is the most important ingredient for success.
2009 - 2012 Arnold London – Creative
Under the tutelage of experienced ATL creatives I began to learn what a true TTL thinking meant. Honing my conceptual skills, I developed my craft in art direction for moving image.
2006 - 2009 The Marketing Store – Junior Creative
Cutting my teeth on a broad range of FMCG brands across the fields of shopper marketing and promotion.
When I’m not getting paid to create ads I write and perform stand-up comedy, paint pictures of my cats, and tend to my garden.
The last 18 odd years...
2022 - 2024 Distillery London – Creative Director
A return to start-up agency life. Iʼve transformed the offering of the content studio to deliver integrated campaigns across a range of consumer, charity and b2b tech clients. Notable successes include embedding an agency proposition focused on effectiveness, earning a DMA nomination and an Alliance win for ‘Queer Joyʼ, launching a Swedish cinnamon roll brand Gifflar in the UK, and winning work for Amnesty International. Managerial responsibilities include resourcing and revenue planning. Proud to have nurtured the team to earning a Campaign Best Places to Work 2023 nomination.
2021 - 2022 IMA Home – Associated Creative Director
From a pitch win, I led the agencyʼs largest account, Hisense. My role was combined creative and brand strategy, setting the brand's no-nonsense ‘letʼs get realʼ positioning for the Chinese electronicʼs brand in the US. Worked with a-list talent (Joel McHale and Dwayne Wade) across TVC and Social channels. I also won the Bumble account with ‘dating debriefʼ, an influencer content series, in the North of England.
2020 - 2021 Studio La Plage, Wilderness – Freelance
A period of freelance after my post-grad studies. Notable achievements included developing a record breaking TikTok campaign for Mastercard (Priceless Wave) and a Gen-Z content series for Direct Line in partnership with Channel 4.
2012 - 2018 Forever Beta – Senior Creative
From a team of 5, I was part of the agencyʼs growth to 50 people leading on the Co-op and Google accounts. Learning that graft is the most important ingredient for success.
2009 - 2012 Arnold London – Creative
Under the tutelage of experienced ATL creatives I began to learn what a true TTL thinking meant. Honing my conceptual skills, I developed my craft in art direction for moving image.
2006 - 2009 The Marketing Store – Junior Creative
Cutting my teeth on a broad range of FMCG brands across the fields of shopper marketing and promotion.
Agency Experience:
Distillery LondonIMA Home
Forever Beta
Arnold London
Euro RSCG KLP
The Marketing Store
Freelance Experience:
WildernessStudio La Plage
Table 19
BBC R&D
Google Creative Lab
Awards, Judging and Hosting:
Alliance best non-for-profit WINNERDMA Non-for-profit NOMINEE
2024 Alliance Freedom Awards 2024 Creative Pool (Rebel Jury) 2024 Consumer X, Round Table Host, 2024
FUTR London, Track Host, 2024 Alliance of Independent Agencies Judge 2023, 2024
Data and Marketing Association Judge (DMAs) 2023, 2024
︎ adamkirbylondon@gmail.com
︎ CV and references on request
︎ 07817 547678