Posted 10 January 2022

Want to get into advertising? Apply for our next portfolio review

On Thursday 27th January we’ll be hosting our first portfolio review of 2022, all about starting out in the world of advertising. If you’re a UK-based creative within the first year of your careers, this is your opportunity for to meet and get feedback from experts.

Our upcoming portfolio review is all about getting started in advertising. Whether you’re a student, a grad or just simply in the first year of your career journey, this is a chance to meet industry professionals, get advice and feedback and get to know some fellow emerging creatives.

How will it work?

The session will take place over Zoom on Thursday 27th January, from 5pm to 8pm GMT. There are only a limited number of places available, so make sure you sign up to register your interest.

The event itself is fast-paced: In breakout rooms of three emerging creatives and one reviewer, you will get the opportunity to show and discuss work, and get advice and feedback. This will then rotate, so you get to meet several reviewers throughout the evening.

Please also note that the session is open to those looking to work in advertising, and creatives, with no more than one year of experience. You will be required to have something to show (e.g. one to two projects or pieces of work that capture what you do), but don’t worry if this isn’t a polished portfolio.

Who will be there?

Elizabeth Bransby, creative copywriter, Nice and Serious
After graduating with a BA in Literature and Creative Writing, Elizabeth set out on the journey of “turning a way with words into a way to make a living.” Previously at branding and marketing agency ThirtyThree, Elizabeth worked her way from creative services to copywriting. Now a creative copywriter at Nice and Serious, she has worked on campaigns with purpose-driven brands such as Ben & Jerry’s, IKEA, Unilever and Co-op.

Read more about Nice and serious here.



Ash Hamilton
, creative, Droga5

After graduating with a BA in Language and Linguistics, Ash joined the Watford Advertising Course. Going on to complete creative placements at Creature and Lucky Generals, Ash landed a job as a creative at global advertising agency BBH, where he mastered skills in copywriting and creative strategy. Now working as part of the Droga5 team and through his creative partnership, Ash & Sara, he has delivered creative strategy for companies such as Amazon, BBC3 and more.

Read more about Droga5 here.



Sara Sutherland
, creative, Droga5

Also working at Droga5 is Sara Sutherland, who joined the company as a creative in 2019. Before joining the Droga5 team Sara found her way into the industry through the Watford Advertising Course and spent the subsequent five years as a creative at global advertising agency BBH. As the second half of the advertising duo Ash & Sara, she has worked on projects such as Droga5's debut campaign for GoCompare, as well as work for Coca-Cola and Amazon.

Read more about Droga5 here.


Justin Mulcahy, creative director, Stink studios
As creative director at international creative advertising company Stink Studios, Justin has been the creative lead on projects for companies like Ocado, Spotify and giffgaff. Having initially studied journalism, Justin started out by interning at publications like VICE, before winning the TBWA Young Bloods competition. With over 10 years’ experience in the advertising industry, Justin has previously worked at agencies including TBWA London, Wieden+Kennedy, DesignStudio and Ogilvy & Mather.

Read more about Stink studios here.


Abbey Monteiro, creative, TBWA\Media Arts Lab
Since completing her BA in Architecture, Abbey Monteiro has used her creative skills in illustration, graphic design and photography to forge her path in the creative industry. Starting out as a design intern for Anomaly and Skinnydip London, Abbey later turned her talents to the world of advertising. After working as a creative at Wieden+Kennedy for two years, she is now a creative at TBWA\Media Arts Lab, creating work solely for Apple.

Read more about TBWA\Media Arts Lab here, and read Abbey’s Creative Lives interview here.



Ayo Fagbemi
, creative strategist, Google Creative Lab
Finding his way to advertising through The Kennedys creative incubator programme, Ayo went on to secure a job as a strategist at Wieden+Kennedy – working on projects such as the Women's World Cup 2019 and Nike’s Stop At Nothing campaign. Previously a strategist for Mother London and now working at Google Creative Lab, Ayo is also the co-founder of social enterprise Play Nice, having worked with Culture Mile, Apple, UK Student Climate Network and more.

Read more about Google Creative Lab here, and listen to Ayo’s Creative Lives podcast interview here.


Raminder Samra, creative, adam&eveDDB
As a copywriter at adam&eveDDB, Raminder works on brands like Adidas, Playstation and Mars. She spent the first couple of years of her career as a copywriter for Channel 4's in house agency, 4 Creative. Some of her work includes brand film, Complaints Welcome and the Derry Girls Mural that is now part of the national tourist board for Derry. Raminder has won numerous awards and recognition from D&AD, The Creative circle and has even been featured as part of Campaign’s next generation of future female leaders.

Read more about adam&eveDDB here.


Shanice Mears FRSA, head of talent, The Elephant Room
Shanice is the co-founder at creative agency, The Elephant Room. As head of talent, she works with brands such as Converse, Clarks and Uber, as well as driving the agency’s talent pool, allowing her to tap into a lot of early potential. She is a guest lecturer at Kingston University, the former brand manager for GUAP magazine and previously set up her own platform, Girls Let’s Talk.

Read more about The Elephant Room here.


Will Wells, creative, Wieden+Kennedy
Will’s journey at Wieden+Kennedy began in 2014 with a two-month creative placement. Now, having spent over five years at the agency, he’s made TV, digital and print ads for everything from yoghurt to telecoms brands. Wieden+Kennedy is a creatively driven communications agency, part of the independent network of eight W+K offices around the world. Inspired by clients, W+K helps build great brands such as Coca-Cola, Formula 1, Nike, Sainsbury’s and TK Maxx.

Read more about Wieden+Kennedy here.


James Hodson, writer and creative, Engine
James is a writer and creative for Engine, a diverse community of creative and strategic thinkers, makers and inventors. A group of natural-born collaborators who love new challenges, Engine help organisations thrive in an ever-changing brand landscape. He is also half of a creative team, James and Jason, with Jason Keet, working across film, comedy, interactive work and innovation.

Read more about Engine here.

How to apply

This session is open to students, grads, or those within the first year of a creative career. Please note you are only eligible to register if you are:

• Not in full-time creative work
• Within the first year of your career
• Based in the UK
• Aged 18 and over

Register your interest by midnight, Monday 17th January via the link below.

Please note

Registering for this event does not guarantee a place. Those invited to attend will be emailed a week before the event, and will be asked to pay a £5 deposit. This is to confirm your attendance, and will be refunded after the session.

Attendees are selected based on their eligibility, so please be assured that if you are not invited, this is not a reflection of the quality of your work.

We hope to see you there!

Written by Creative Lives in Progress