Mike Preston joins Newcastle-based agency Headjam in principle and executive CD role
Experienced creative director Mike Preston (right) has formally joined Newcastle-based creative agency Headjam as principal and executive creative director.
After working with the team for the past few years Preston joins Luke Kellett (centre) and Sarah Cook (left) as an owner and director of the agency that now includes a team of 11 people developing brands and campaigns for clients across Australia.
Preston brings more than three decades of expertise creating international award-winning campaigns. For the past 12 years he has work has focused on the human condition and the creation of meaningful content in health and social sciences for film and other creative disciplines. He created campaigns for the RTA, EPA including the “Tosser” campaign, Government Census, Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW, NSW Health, NSW Police, Medicare Local and the Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia.
Preston has won major international creative awards including Grand Prix gold, silver and bronze at the prestigious AWARD, Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, D&AD, New York One Show, Campaign Press, British Design Council, New York Festivals, London International, Kinsale, Clio, Folio and Caxton.
Headjam managing director Luke Kellett, said that Preston is one of the only local creative directors to achieve such high accolades.
Says Kellett: “Mike brings a depth of experience to our team that has included some of the most influential campaigns in the health and community sectors. His experience and knowledge will provide enormous benefit to our clients. We are incredibly privileged to have Mike join the team.”
Preston is no stranger to the Hunter. For the past two years he has worked with Headjam on a number of projects.
Preston’s three decade career in advertising and communication has included directing the launch of major brands such as Optus and Hahn in the Australian marketplace. Career highlights include two of Australia’s longest running campaigns, one for Johnson & Johnson and the other for Colgate.
He worked with a long list of renowned agencies including JWT, Publicis, McCann Erickson, FCB, George Patterson and Clemenger BBDO. Mike has vast experience in the area of social marketing, and has worked on many campaigns for both the Federal and State governments.
In 2011 Preston co-founded Creative’s Co-op, a creative consultancy that develops ideas and solutions for marketing, brand and advertising communications. In 2013 Preston and the Creative’s Co-op collaborated with Headjam for the creation of the South Western Sydney Partners ‘In Recovery’ campaign. Its success led to further collaboration in 2014 as part of the Eastern Sydney Partners In Recovery campaign.
Says Preston: “Headjam is the right size to be an incredibly agile firm. Focussing on clients in the sectors of community, health, arts and education aligns nicely to the type of creative work I love doing.
“The combination of experience and expertise enables Headjam to focus on constantly improving the work we do to ensure our clients get the most effective outcomes.”
Headjam is a Newcastle-based creative agency specialising in 2D, 3D, digital and film mediums, a range of design services including graphic design, branding, strategy, digital marketing, project management, advertising, print, web and digital, broadcast and motion graphics and photography.
8 Comments
Just curious about the quote ‘that his career in advertising included directing the launch of major brands such as Optus in the Australian Marketplace’. I worked at George Patts at the time and the two people responsible for the creation of the ”yes”campaign was John Finkelsen and Marty Kellard. John Finkelsen then went on to create the ”animal”campaign which continued for a number of years. Mike may have been involved with the launch as he was working at George Patts at the time but certainly didn’t direct any of the launch activity.
Just to clear up any confusion the ‘yes’ campaign wasn’t the launch campaign for Optus.
The ‘yes’ campaign WAS the launch campaign. The ad was called ‘Stakeout’ where the ‘yes’ was revealed as a poster. If memory serves me correct it was directed by Peter Cherry. The “yes” poster and the TV commercial about that commercial was the official launch of Optus in Australia. There may have been some minor print ads prior but don’y recall them but they were certainly not part of the launch. Very confused as to what launch you are referring to. But anyway no big deal. All good and good luck with this new venture.
I too am loath to split hairs, but Mike arrived from the UK after the hugely successful J&J campaign was conceived. He did however provide sterling support for what was at the time a very fresh idea which scared the pants off a very conservative client.
What a bunch of fuckers.
Mike, what they meant to say was;
Congratulations, you are a great catch with a great creative reputation.
We all wish you and HeadJam the very best.
Unfortunately they didn’t quite have the manners to word it that way.
It’s important when you claim a campaign on your CV that it’s actually yours because clients at your new shop expect that you’ll be able to produce that kind of work for them. If you only had an associated role, the claim is misleading. It’s not personal, it’s business. Apologies for any embarrassment caused.
All the best to you Mike. You are one of the good ones and a true gent of the industry.
They are lucky to have you mate.
Best marrianne little
Nice one Mike. You are a very talented creative and an absolute gentleman, which is a rarity it appears by some of the bitchy comments above. BTW, the Optus ‘Yes’ campaign work was shit whoever did it, so I hope that settles it for everyone.