Bio

Meet Melissa.

My love affair with advertising began as a wide-eyed (and very eager) Art Director at Saatchi & Saatchi London. There, I was fortunate enough to work under advertising greats, such as David Droga, honing my creative and strategic skills with brands such as Sony and Procter & Gamble.

Lured by the scent of the ocean, and suntan lotion, I returned down-under to join Creative Director Sean Cummins at the fledgeling Cummins & Partners Melbourne (now SapientNitro). Bad kiwi accent impersonations aside, I was lucky to create a number of memorable campaigns, even channelling my ‘inner bloke’ writing for the likes of Holden, Virgin and Stihl. After enjoying four years in Melbourne, I moved to the sunny shores of Sydney where I joined the fun and talented team at The Brandshop. It was here that I produced, among many other things, one of the most memorable and talked about Australian ads ever - the Kimberly Clark ‘Beaver’ commercial.

Like all love affairs, advertising and I have experienced many challenges along the way, but nothing that a long lunch couldn’t fix. Fortunately, I’ve worked with many inspiring and awesome people and have enjoyed lasting, trusted relationships with many senior clients. Although I began my advertising career as an Art Director, I also have a penchant for writing, and much of my creative work I have either co-written or written. On the subject of ‘writing’ and ‘books’, I have just completed my first novel. Writing it, not reading it! Since returning to the kiwi homeland after a long freelancing spell in Sydney, I’ve had the opportunity to produce a number of notable campaigns with many great agencies. I don’t shy away from any challenge and relish turning briefs into sparkling creative diamonds.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts