ME

I am an internationally experienced Content Producer and Creative Services Manager who thrives on making things happen, working in business and with creative people to bring their visions to life across all media channels. I excel in a fast paced, inspiring environment where I enjoy the challenge of taking on a brief, applying my lateral thinking and using my experience to achieve successful solutions. I possess self-discipline and motivation and I am a comfortable, diplomatic communicator. It is my determined spirit and ability to adapt and bring solutions to the table that drives me forward in my career.

At Mullen Lowe London I was a board level creative thought leader who thrived on creative challenges. I have a passion for staying up to date with the latest styles, techniques and technology in the industry and I am often consulted early in the creative process to maximise the visual potential of creative ideas, I just love to Make Stuff.

All the work on my site I have credited the Creative teams, Photographers, Directors, Artists and Illustrators I have had the pleasure of working with, I thank you all.

Here in Australia I have worked at Saatchi's where we won the Caltex Pitch, I worked on a great project with The Sydney City, a sustainable Keep Cup Digital Toolkit, at Host Havas I was a Senior Stills and Content Producer for 16 months, working on DFR, Endeavour Energy, Sydney Water, LMG, FOX Kayo, Lion Beer Co, Air New New Zealand and all New Business Pitches.

Now at Havas Host where I am the Head of Creative Services working across, Creative, Design, Strategy, and Digital Dev. after just one year I was promoted to the Management Leadership Group - lots and lots to do and very much enjoying the challenge. https://hosthavas.com/

KEY SKILLS

Over 25 years of Content Production experience on UK & global campaigns  ● Supporting the creative team from brief to finished product ● Identifying innovative approaches to enhance creative ideas ● Thinking 360 to enhance the campaign impact and identify cost efficiencies for client & agency ● Negotiation & Budget Management ●  Excellent organisation and multi tasking skills ● Renowned ‘Can Do Attitude’ ● Strong interpersonal skills and ability to inspire team cohesion and motivation●  Development and mentoring of junior colleagues   ●  Able to manage complexity ● Attention to Detail ●  Extensive knowledge & network of Directors, Photographers, Illustrators and Graphic Designers in the UK & Worldwide

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

     Moving to Sydney and applying my energy and experience in the industry I love.

·         2014 -  2015 and 2016 - I worked closely with the new business teams to develop content for winning pitches including Lenovo, Post Office, Calor Gas, Remy Martin, GEO Lotto, Uni Credit, Samaritans, PHE, FSCS.

·         Working solely with Jeremy Hine (Business Director) and Simon Morris (Creative) to produce the winning 2015 Rugby World Cup proposal for the RFU

·         Project Manager / Producer of the launch of Petermann Artois - quoted as the ‘the best beer launch in a decade’ by Marketing Week - multi award winning integrated campaign (for Simon Morris / Carl Broadhurst / Peter Reid)

·         Project Manager / Producer of the new business win of Orange. Initiated hosting all pitch work on a micro site to demonstrate agency’s forward thinking, and bought the domain address ‘the futures bright the futures orange .com’ .

·         Project Manager / Producer of the Stella Artois ‘Bottle cap’ campaign (for Andy Amedeo / Mick Mahoney)

·         Managing and negotiating the celebrity super model Karen Elson for the John Lewis Fashion print and digital campaign 2008 and 2009.

·         Producer on the Olympus Print Campaign which won a prestigious D@AD Pencil Award (for Ben Priest / Brian Campbell)

·         Being appointed a full Board Director of Lowe Howard Spink as a result of commitment and creative achievements

·     

                                                      QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Intensive Television Production 12 module Upskilling Course - Antony Falco (ADAM & EVE DDB head of Production)

Scot work negotiating course ● Presentation skills ● D@AD lectures  

IPA Representative Lowe London 2001 -04

                                                      IPA Digital Production course and upskilling

London College of Printing - Introduction to Print Production

Loughton ArtCollege – Art Foundation Course and 2 A levels

INTERESTS

Rugby ● Spectating, analysing & (reminiscing about) playing

Italian Design Autos ● in particular Fiat Coupe & Vespa

Ale ● consuming old favourites & discovering new ones

Modernist House Designs ● reading about & finally building our own one

                                                                         IN PRESS & REFERENCES

THE DRUM interview 2016

http://www.thedrum.com/news/2016/03/28/often-bridesmaid-never-bride-celebrating-adlands-unsung-heroes

Celebrating 25 years at MullenLowe London is another unsung hero of the business, head of creative production Gary Wallis, whose extensive knowledge of illustrators, photographers and designers plays a vital role in supporting the agency’s creative team from brief to finished product. 

Rising up through the ranks of print production, Wallis sees himself as a frustrated art director. “I don’t have the strong ideas to be a creative,” he says, “but I do know how to make them and add another dimension.” Working closely with MullenLowe’s creative talent Wallis’ work has helped bring countless ideas to life over the years for clients including Stella Artois, Olympus and Coca-Cola to name but a few. 

“Art buying is a 20th century title. It’s only about 50 per cent of what a creative producer does in the 21st century,” he adds. “We work across all channels producing still and moving content, inspiring creatives with new talent in all fields of production.”

Wallis is the “third creative,” according to Rich Denney, the agency’s executive creative director. “He ‘gets’ ideas and how to execute them. He’s passionate about the product, both for clients and agency, and cares deeply about the end product. He knows a diamond when he sees one and certainly knows how to make it sparkle.” 

Over at Grey London, the agency replaced the role of project manager with that of creative producer – a move managing director Natalie Graeme says has made the department “integral to the quality and diversity of our output”.

“While ideas and creativity are the lifeblood of our industry, actually making these ideas happen often goes unsung and it’s the skill and vision of our creative producers that makes what we do possible.”

References

Dear Gary

Thank you for your mail, and especially thank you for all your great work on AP. You guys really left a legacy, and we firmly intend to continue with the direction and quality you have set. I just reviewed the latest Supersonnerie film and I think it’s probably one of the best films ever, the vibe is an amazing mix between fine watchmaking refinement and contemporary coolness, perfect for AP. And the list of talent and projects below is indeed impressive. Not only has this left a mark for the brand, but also loads of great memories for me personally, and it was always a pleasure working with you.

I wish you all the very best for the future, and I’m sure we’ll meet again!

Best Regards

Tim

Tim Sayler Marketing Director

Audemars Piguet

Route de France 16 P.O. Box 16 CH - 1348 Le Brassus

Gary is without doubt the best producer I’ve had the fortune to work with. His knowledge of the industry is encyclopaedic and his commitment is awe inspiring. He is the greatest asset a creative team could have – you know that whatever happens Gary is going to be there to get you through it. His enthusiasm is infectious and I’ve always found that he shares a creative’s aspirations for the quality of the job, and to push the creative boundaries. Working in there luxury sector we have had to set exceptionally high production standards and Gary has been an supreme guardian of those standards.

To a ridiculous degree Gary loves a challenge and takes pride in surpassing every expectation you have of him – the peace of mind that having Gary on the team brings is priceless, and it’s been an absolute pleasure working with him over the past five years.

PAUL JARVIS

ECD,

LOWE_SUPERCULTURE

‘As far as I am concerned you are not just a vital piece of the Lowe machine but undoubtedly the best at what you do in London.’

Simon Morris - Head of art Lowe London (1996 to 2011)

I've been representing Creative Producer's in London for nearly 20 years and I'm lucky enough to know and have often started the careers of a lot of great producers and project managers.  But as anyone that knows the market like I do will tell you, there's only one Gary Wallis..

Gary is the most passionate producer of creative work I have ever met.  He will work 24 hours a day to make a piece of work 2% better if he has to.  On top of his enthusiasm he has an astute business mind and great knowledge and understand of the advertising industry.

When helping Gary find people I know I have to raise the bar.  He's so good that the pressure is on to make sure I only introduce him to candidates of a very high standard.

I will miss working with him as will many others - he's a legend.  

Louisa Shelton - Along Came Mary Recruitment

I just wanted to say thanks very much for all your help with our last Nokia campaigns. As always it was a pleasure working with you, especially on such a complicated shoot as this one was where we really need someone like you who understands the whole process rather than just looking at the figures.

Katy Niker

Burnham Niker Agent

The relationship between Gary Wallis and us at We Folk is very strong and continues to grow. His communication with us is always considered and respectful, fair but firm and through him we always manage to produce professional work of the highest quality which our photographers and ourselves are always proud of. It’s clear to me that he has the trust and respect of those around him and we also enjoy a great relationship with members of his team.

Olivia Gideon Thomson

We Folk LTD

Working with Gary last year on the fulfilment of the Becks toolkit CD-ROM project was invaluable.

From working initially with Gary on the statement of work and scoping of this project through to the management of all the ongoing requirements from content and timings to main escalation point on any concerns or change requests within it's lifecycle.

Gary's communication and management as a key stakeholder on this project not only helped us at TAG but played a massive part in the smooth running and final delivery of the Becks Toolkit CD-ROM

James Marshall TAG

I just wanted to say thank you so much for all that you did on the John Lewis fashion campaign that we worked on together. To be honest without you it would never have come together. You used diplomacy, tact, patience to pull all the elements together and to keep as much of a level of creative integrity as was possible under the circumstances. I haven't often worked with an agency rep who fights as hard as you did for what was right and correct

Lisa Davies

serlin associates

I’ve been a photographer now for over 45 years and I have always been impressed how effective and efficient how you act in your role at the agency, believe me there are very few people that work as hard and as long as you do.

I always feel that I am working with you as opposed to working for some large international company.

On one occasion we had to do a particularly difficult job for Stella that involved working the weekend and I remember you arriving at my studio early on the Saturday morning to help us all with the shoot.

I feel that creative people always need cultivation by a producer/co-coordinator -

The Beetles needed George Martin, - Tina Turner needed Phil Spectre, - Motown needed Berry Gordy, and The Ballets Russe; Scenery by Picasso, costumes by Matisse, music by Stravinsky could not have existed without the impresario Serge Diaghilev.

For my part Creative work is very difficult in a commercial environment, although it is this that the agency always sells to the client.

I always have confidence in your faith and diligence, in trying to bring all these various skills together.

Laurie Haskell (Photographer)

Pipe Dreams 3D Ltd create visual stiumulus for advertising research. This is usually in the form of 3D animatics known as either "digimatics" or "cellmatics". We have worked with Gary and Lowe London for over a year now and during that time we have managed to develop between us an excellent working relationship. It is fair to say that Gary is one of best clients not in terms of revenue spent, but as an individual to work with.

My reasons for stating this in full confidence are as follow:

a. Reliable communication - We can rely on Gary to understand what the clients want and to put forward a singular vision for the work we need to accomplish. Nothing is more damaging to our production process as suppliers than having too many cooks with poor understanding and/or experience of a brand. Working with Gary, I can be confident that our projects will be completed on time and to budget because he is so successful at coordinating between all the parties involved and providing us with clear and reliable communication.

b. Organisation - Further to this, Gary is extremely organised providing excellent briefs and all necessary materials on time - another good reason why our projects with him usually go smoothly.

c. Personability - Last but not least, Gary is an excellent person to work with because of his good humour and relaxed but focused nature.

Please don't hesitate to contact me directly if there is anything that you wish to clarify or detail further.

Yours faithfully,

Kelvin Liew

Managing Director Pipe Dreams 3D Ltd

In the 15 years I have worked with Gary we have covered a vast array of projects from worldwide brands to small charities, his enthusiasm and drive for every one has never wavered.

Garys research for the best application keeps us on our toes and ensures we are always pushing ourselves to deliver the best possible solution for each and every piece of work we provide.

Thanks to Garys demands over the years our own portfolio looks as contemporary as ever.

Simon Dawson

Monkey Puzzle

CAREER DETAILS

Currently I’m the Head of Creative Services at Host Havas https://hosthavas.com/

Did some freelancing in Sydney Making Stuff 2017 - Saatchi's - City of Sydney - Host Havas

MULLEN LOWE LONDON - Head of Creative Production - to October 2016

DLKWLOWE - Joint Creative Services Director  -  2010 - 2014

LOWE LONDON - Deputy Creative Services Director 1999 to 2010

RESPONSIBILITIES

·         Integrating Production and Creative Services (The Producer role)

·         Directing all Pre Production on print and pre view Animatic production

·         Head of Art Buying and Print Production

·         Project Management & Material Sourcing

·     Creative stimulus sourcing / Creative department support / Design department management acroos all media platforms

·         Developing & Mentoring Internal talent (all departments)

·         Scoping & integrating external talent & technologies (photographers, illustrators & designers)

·         TV production on selected projects

·         Stepping up into Art Director role as and when needed (eg: John Lewis, Toshiba, Knorr, Stella Artois, Pitches)

·         New business pitches

ACHIEVEMENTS

·         Consistent track record of award winning creative (full list available on request)

·         Initiation of multi-media production approaches for creative synergy and cost efficiency (spanning Print, Digital & TV production)

·         Part of successful new business pitch teams including John Lewis, Innocent Drinks, Beck’s, Strongbow

·         Co-ordinated the merger of Lowe Howard Spink and APL creative services department in 2000

CLIENTS

·         Innocent Drinks, Johnsons and Johnsons, Unilever- CIF, Sure, Domestos, Knorr, Sunlight,  John Lewis Partnership, Stella Artois , Becks, Petermann Artois, Coca Cola, Orange, Reebok, Piz Buin, Sunlight, HSBC, RFU, Smirnoff, Malibu,

Associate Director – Traffic & Art Buying

1996-1999

RESPONSIBILITIES

·         Deputy to the Head of Department

·         Joint Department Management Team

·         Graduate and Junior Traffic / Art Buying training schemes

CLIENTS

·         Smirnoff, Olympus, Reebok, Whitbread, Diesel Jeans

Senior Manager – Traffic Art Buying

1994-1996

CLIENTS

·         Whitbread, Carlton TV, Reebok, Crisis, Hanson Trust

Junior Manager – Traffic Art Buying

1990-1993

CLIENTS

·         Vauxhall, Armorall, Lloyds Bank

BBDO 1989-1990

Production / Traffic / Art Buyer

1989-1990

CLIENTS

·         Alberto Culver, Cornerstone Estate Agents, Servowarm, Pye Audio, Pepsi Cola, Apple Computers

 LOWE HOWARD SPINK 1987-1988

Router / Production Junior

1987-1988