GREG RAWSON
A (mostly) copy-based CD.
I’ve been using creativity to solve business issues for over 20 years, in Singapore, Southeast Asia, Australia and Japan.
During that time, I’ve been a lousy graphic designer, a questionable art director, a what-am-I-even-doing pseudo strategist, and when I was just about out of options, I found my calling as a copywriter.
Thankfully, all those experiences resulted in my becoming pretty decent at understanding client issues and coming up with creative solutions, with an holistic perspective.
Over the past 20 years, I’ve used creativity to help to grow just about every sort of business, from international giants like Coke and Heineken, to startups just embarking on their journeys. Plus a few charities doing their best to make the world just a little better.
No matter how complex the creative challenge might seem, and whether the solution lies online, offline, or with new media that’s still trying to define itself, I always think big and keep things simple. Straightforward. Raw.
LEADERSHIP
I’ve worked with and led teams, large and small, and from a diverse range different backgrounds and cultures. Helping young creatives boost the power of their light bulb moments is something I’m particularly keen on.
PRESENTATION SKILLS
Like most creatives, I learned the hard way that no matter how phenomenally spectacular you think your idea might be, it isn’t worth much if you can’t present it convincingly. So I learned to get good at presenting. I’ve since gone on to run creative presentation workshops, and make it a part of my job to pass on my know-how of making every presentation both impactful and memorable.
AD HISTORY
2003
AWARD SCHOOL, MELBOURNE
2001–2004
CHENU ADVERTISING, MELBOURNE | ART DIRECTOR
A boutique agency. Here I designed / art directed TVCs for IGA Supermarkets, & print ads and collateral for everything from Amcal Pharmacies to Kia Motors to property developers.
2004–2005
CLEMENGER BBDO, MELBOURNE | ART DIRECTOR
They had me working on campaigns for the Transport Accident Commission, Just Jeans, Leggo’s and Yoplait. I also had to once write some radio ads while my writer was away. Sweaty-palmed crayon scrawling ensued.
2005–2006
GPY&R, BRISBANE | COPYWRITER
I interviewed for a job as an art director. The ECD needed a copywriter. I whipped out my radio ads. He nodded, and I started writing. For Conraad Treasury, Suncorp Insurance, Energex, Telstra and the Skin Cancer Foundation. The ads were better-written than my previous campaigns were art directed. And I enjoyed the writing more. I stuck with it.
2006–2007
M&C SAATCHI, SINGAPORE | COPYWRITER
I came to Singapore, knocked on a few doors, found a job, got married and stayed 15 years. At M&C I worked on Volkswagen, O2, Motorola, Continental Hotels and National University of Singapore.
2008–2012
OGILVY, SINGAPORE | SENIOR COPYWRITER
At Ogilvy I created campaigns for Singapore govt, The Economist, Miele, Castrol and The BBC.
2013–2014
BBH / BATES / MCCANN SINGAPORE | CREATIVE DIRECTOR
A couple of years of mostly freelancing. This involved plenty of pitching for (and winning) business accounts for the Singapore and APAC markets.
2014–2015
HOST (HAVAS) SINGAPORE | EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Led the Coca Cola account, producing ads and campaigns for the Southeast Asia market.
2014–2015
ARCADE, SINGAPORE | CREATIVE DIRECTOR
An agency with an emphasis on digital, particularly mobile, experiences. At Arcade it was a wild and eclectic mix of working on campaigns for cross-Asia, anything-goes, sensory-overload events that demanded the creative be pushing limits as much as the events themselves. It included creating art out of advertising for Coke & McDonald’s, transforming music into cutting-edge social experiences for Heineken and overseeing several Unilever FMCG campaigns.
2016–2020
YARD, TOKYO | CREATIVE PARTNER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR
An independent creative agency in Japan. Here I worked closely with Tokyo Metropolitan Government on a range of communications and channels, to help make Tokyo more appealing to foreign business travellers. I also co-created and produced campaigns for Coca Cola Japan, and Groove-X (maker of the world’s most advanced domestic robot), and co-ran a presentation course for Japanese SMEs wishing to connect with western audiences and investors.
2016–CURRENT
WANDERLUST BRAND COMMUNICATIONS, SINGAPORE | CO-FOUNDER & ECD
Wanderlust is a boutique Singapore branding, PR and ad agency, with a skew toward ESG and working with SMEs who are trying to make the world a better place. Clients include Greenpeace, Singapore National Stroke Association, Singapore Fintech Festival and Singapore Tourism Board.
2020–CURRENT
MASH TOKYO | CO-FOUNDER & CREATIVE PARTNER
Mash is all about connecting foreign businesses to Japan, as well as creating campaigns for Japanese businesses that want to connect with both a domestic and international audience. Clients include DAZN and Coca Cola Japan.
BUSINESSES & ORGANISATIONS I’VE HELPED GROW
Coca Cola, Brooks, Heineken, Miele, Just Jeans, Aviva, Crowne Plaza Hotels, DAZN, Suncorp Insurance, Direct Asia Insurance, Holiday Inn, Shiseido, Volkswagen, Motorola, O2, Resorts World Sentosa, Unilever, Google, CIMB Bank, LEGO, Singapore Health Promotion Board, Amcal Pharmacies, Energex, Singapore Tourism Board, Media Development authority of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Greenpeace, Singapore National Stroke Association, Muslimin Trust Fund Association Singapore, and a long list of others that are too numerous to mention here.
INDUSTRIES AND SECTORS
Automotive, Beauty & Fashion, Corporate Groups, Education, Entertainment & Arts, Fashion, F&B, Finance, FMCG, Government, Health & Wellness, Insurance, Hospitality, Luxury Goods, Non-Profit & Special Interest, Property, Retail, Robotics, Social Impact, Sports, Tourism & Travel, Technology & Innovation
BITS OF METAL
D&AD
Yellow Pencil
Cannes
Silver
Adfest
Gold, Silver & Bronze
One Show
Silver & Bronze
Effies
Silver
Asia Interactive Awards
Silver & Bronze
Spikes Asia
Silver
Singapore Creative Circle Awards (CCA)
Gold
Asia Interactive Awards
Silver & Bronze
Asia eCommerce Awards
Best eCommerce & Best Integrated Campaign
MOBEX Awards
Best Campaign, Original Content
Ogilvy Singapore
Presentation
Masterclass
Best Presenter
AWARD School, Australia
Winner of AWARD School, Melbourne
GIVE ME A SHOUT.
gregjrawson@gmail.com