DAVE ASKWITH
My first poster was for the Official Monster Raving Loony Party.
It was 1992, I was at Watford College and I was somehow persuaded to run as a parliamentary candidate. I lost by a mere 25,000 votes. A respectable defeat that effectively ended my political career and saved my creative one.
I joined Saatchi & Saatchi later that year, where I spent the next decade cutting my teeth on legendary brands like The NSPCC, Club 18-30, Toyota, The Army, Museum in Docklands, Gun Control Network and The MS Society.
I eventually stepped up as Creative Director for Dr Marten's, Comet and Iams.
In 2005 I published 'Signs of Life’, a book documenting the daft signs and subversive stickers I’d been quietly planting across the country.
That same DIY spirit has followed me into freelance life since 2009, collaborating with the likes of Wieden & Kennedy (London and Amsterdam), BBH, VCCP and McCann.
When I’m not solving brand problems, I’m usually making something physical. Most recently creating artwork and installations for Glastonbury.
Whether it’s a global campaign for a brewery or a piece of vandalism in a field in Somerset, the goal remains the same. Find a great idea then figure out the most interesting way to execute it.
ROB PORTEOUS
I’ve been creating for over twenty years at agencies of every size, on budgets of every scale.
My career has taken me from London and Amsterdam, to Sydney, New York, Bristol and Manchester, driven by a singular belief that the goal is to have a great idea and the guts to know what to do with it.
I’ve been recognised for creativity as well as for effectiveness and have got my hands dirty on brands like Ariel, Colgate, Carlsberg, The NSPCC, Kia, Sage, Sky and UniCredit.
I thrive on the ‘big idea’, but I find equal joy in nurturing younger talent and collaborating with clients who aren’t afraid of a little extraordinary.