From BetaMax to iPhone, in his freelance days Michael cut video for the likes of Fred Perry, Visa, Jools Holland and a worryingly large amount of Whiskey brands. He can often be found at St. James’ Park going through the various stages of grief.
Michael Atkinson
Senior Editor
After graduating from Northumbria University with a degree in advertising, Pierce set his creativity to creating bespoke rugs! His roots are Lithuanian but having moved to Newcastle when he was younger he is almost 100% Geordie. In his free time you’ll find him designing rugs for some well known names or sampling the many bars of Tynemouth.
Pierce Bangardavicius
Assistant Account Executive
Another member to add to the ‘glory hunters’ team here at Cravens HQ following the mighty NUFC. Ryan is an Account Director with a passion to deliver added value to his client base with a background in conversion centered design and multi-channel campaigns. After recently joining the new Dad club and the local golf club, Ryan is proving himself significantly more equipped at one activity more so than the other – luckily the golf handicap is coming down!
Ryan Bennison
Account Director
Steve lives to put the creative into Creative Director. He has over 20 years’ experience in branding and advertising with a particular focus on tone of voice and conceptual copywriting, working on brands as diverse as Virgin Money, Kew Gardens, Sunderland AFC and Ladbrokes Coral. His obsession with words is only outweighed by his obsession with music. Oh, and films. And old school video games. But mostly the music.
Stephen Carroll
Creative Director
A Managing Director with the heart of a Planner, Phil steers our company and its strategic direction. As a Planning Director at Universal McCann his key accounts included Microsoft, Xbox, MSN, T-Mobile and Black and Decker. With a huge passion for all things sport, Phil prides himself on building the best team of global and regional talent to take on the world from NE1.
Phil Coverdale
Managing Director
Ian is a native of the North East and after graduating from what is now Northumbria University, he joined the advertising and communications industry in London where he built a highly successful career working firstly for the French company Publicis and then the Interpublic group of companies. His last corporate role was as Managing Director International for The Martin Agency, one of America’s and the world’s leading and most awarded creative agencies. Ian has known us for a long time and is now our non-exec Chairman.
Ian Davidson
Chairman
With a name that’s spelling makes no sense, Niamh (knee-ve) liked words from a very young age. So it was a tough call whether to follow her love of Irish Dancing or Advertising. Between the jigs and the reels, she’s created FMCG experiences with Tesco, created “Search On” content with Google, and racked up over a million hits on YouTube with a gaming series for Red Bull. After working in Leeds and London, Niamh (celidhi) jumped at the chance to return home and join Cravens.
Niamh Deehan
Creative Strategist
A talented motion designer, proficient in Cinema 4D and After Effects, Luke loves to make things move. From a traditional graphic design background specialising in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, he has now applied these core skills to the wonderful world of moving design. This crossover of skill sets has allowed his talents to expand further to video editing and post production. Unfortunately for Luke his leg tattoo is immovable.
Luke Dryden
Motion Graphics Designer
From helping set up her local Youth Theatre, to gaining experience with CBBC and the BBC, Katy has always had a love for production. Whether it’s producing a multi-channel campaign, supervising a voiceover session, or dealing with Clearcast, Katy is a Swiss-army talent in Cravens HQ.
Katy Evans
Account Manager
Nina is a new-school copywriter. Absorbing the traditional ways and freshening up what is long-established. With experience working across the world for likes of Google and VW Belgium, Nina can tap into many mindsets and insight-hunt in the oddest of places. All she needs for happiness is sunshine, her dogs, and something to write with.
Nina Forbes
Junior Copywriter
After graduating Northumbria Uni with first class honours in Advertising, Harrison made it his mission to get a foot in the advertising door. Cravens let him in. He’s football mad (his team makes him mad – Sunderland). A music enthusiast, beer connoisseur and a keen cyclist; but you won’t find him in lycra!
Harrison Forster
Assistant Account Executive
Alex originally hails from the North East but has spent the majority of his career in the bright lights of London. Alex has worked on a number of large and award-winning campaigns for the likes of Carling, Expedia, San Miguel and Barclays. He’s added his name to Craven’s long suffering Newcastle United fans and still believes he can do a job as a spinner for England Cricket.
Alex Guiseley
Senior Account Manager
As a Strategist, Mark has 20 years experience working above, below and through the line as well as moving beyond the comms line into business strategy, mentoring and university lecturing. He spent 15 years in London and 5 years based in APAC working on a range of businesses and brands: from Shell to Samsung, Guinness to Philips, LEGO to Bacardi.
His passion shines through when you chat to him about understanding real people, proving effectiveness and the nightmare-you-never-wake-from that is Newcastle United.
Mark Hadfield
Strategy Partner
Once an aspiring athlete, Lauren is now running laps around the agency, keeping the team on track for world domination. As one of our Gen Z members, with a First-class degree in advertising, she brings a digital first mentality across multi-channel campaigns. Lauren also emits so much positive energy, Cravens are having to expand the office to contain it.
Lauren Henley
Senior Account Manager
Adam spent almost a decade creating award winning work at TBWA\London and Havas London, before coming back to his roots in the North East. When he’s not immersed in the great outdoors with his dog, he’s immersed in all things writing, directing and creating at Cravens. Career highlights include: working with Gandalf, having a kick about with Lionel Messi for Adidas, and putting Brian Blessed on a bear.
Adam Johnson
Creative Director
Andrew has a strong broadcast, digital and commercials background with 25 years across creative and production. He's worked at iconic broadcasters such as National Geographic and ITV, was Creative Director of Zonemedia (including CBS international), and more recently was part of the design team at Dixon Baxi creating a full on-screen and digital rebrand of the Premier League.
Andrew Kidger
Director of Production and Partnerships
Jess is an art director with a passion for detail and an eye for all things visual. Having worked all over the globe, Jess has in-house experience at Google and has stopped by some of the world’s best agencies. Alongside Nina, Jess created an industry-shattering study into the sexism of ad land and has spoken internationally about the findings. She also loves to draw. Almost 20,000 people have purchased a piece of her art.
Jessica Kielstra
Junior Art Director
Jen moved to Newcastle from Edinburgh 20 years ago and has worked in the creative industry ever since. As Finance Manager Jen is super organised, and makes sure everyone gets paid. We love Jen! When she’s not spending time with her husband, son and pet cat Haggis, she likes reading a good book, listening to music and getting all arty at life drawing classes, fully clothed of course.
Jennifer Macrae
Finance Manager
The ultimate team player. Jez is the Arsene Wenger of Cravens, only more Geordie than French. An intelligent master of man management, tactics and relationship building, he has worked with a wide variety of clients in his glittering 30 year career. Managing famous names like Scottish Rugby Union, Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS), Northern Rock, First Group, ZSL London Zoo, Gala Coral, The Football League and the RFL (Rugby Football League).
Jeremy Nickalls
Business Director
Ross stands by a simple, clear and principled approach to design, bordering on the obsessive. He’s always quick to point out the minor design errors he sees in the world - much to everyone’s annoyance. Over his 20 year career, he’s touched on everything from exhibition design for Sony Europe to a website for Durham Cathedral. Away from the Mac, Ross is a dad of two athletics-obsessed boys, where he spends most of his time taxiing them to competitions around the country.
Ross Pichler
Senior Designer
Lisa is celebrating her silver jubilee year working with Cravens. From pencil to paper, to graphic art, to the social media design of today, our stalwart Graphic Designer and Production Manager has done it all, and can do it all. In her spare time she’s running, gardening, and topping up her tan. Sometimes simultaneously.
Lisa Pybus
Studio Manager
Mel has worked in the creative industry for 25 years. When she wasn’t busy being Head of Customer Communications at O2, or running the digital and CRM Sainsbury’s and Virgin Trains accounts, she spent her spare time treading the boards in hundreds of musical theatre productions. Most recently having her make-up done by a drag queen in Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
Melanie Schouw
Operations & Commercial Director
Ell is a stroke surviving, Cannes Lion winning, creative all-rounder. Having previously worked at independent agencies like Brothers & Sisters and Mr. President, and for a while freelancing at places like BBH, Mother, Wunderman Thompson & 72andSunny, you could say he’s been all over the place. Passionate about illustrations, video games & haribo, you’ll find him mentoring young talent whenever he has time. He’s the only Geordie from his family to leave Newcastle, now representing Cravens from our London office.
Elliott Shiels
Art Director
Thomas believes, if you’re going to make your mark, make it beautiful. With a tremendous passion for design in print, digital, branding, typography, motion, and illustration, he has always been a progressive designer eager to craft his abilities. He also has a tremendous love for Jacobs crackers.
Thomas Sutton
Senior Designer
Lauren started her career at BBH and spent over 4 years working with clients such as Virgin Media, Tesco, The Guardian and Refuge. She then made the leap into freelancing and worked on campaigns for KFC at Mother and Nike and W+K. She joined the Cravens team back in May 2020 and is based in London, but is loving working with her Geordie colleagues! Outside of the office you'll find her running, reading and singing in her choir.
Lauren Thacker
Business Director
Having left Newcastle in 2010 and resided in the likes of Liverpool, Buenos Aires, London and Manchester, Hannah has now made a return to the homeland. When she's not client-servicing, you can find her running, at the gym or supporting the woes of Sheffield Wednesday (don't ask).
Hannah Turley
Senior Account Manager
Emma is in her happy place building relationships with clients, chatting brand and strategy, and managing integrated and multi discipline campaigns. She is also in her happy place reading a good Margaret Atwood book, painting, and having her Boston Terrier, Bella, by her side.
Emma Wafer
Account Director