Aderwize

Chief Creative Officer / Ogilvy & Mather China

 
Graham started his career by dressing up as an old man.

After art school he went to look for a job at Collett, Dickenson, Pearce, then London’s top creative hotshop and was told they didn’t take students, although were looking for someone more senior. He returned the following day dressed up as an old man.

They hired him.
 
He went on to create some of advertising’s most iconic images and campaigns, including the epic British Airway’s ‘Face’ commercial with 3000 extras, directed by Oscar winning director Hugh Hudson. This commercial has been recognized as one of the 100 greatest ads of all time. Other work comprises Silk Cut and the surreal Benson and Hedges work, Ariston and on and on…
 
Graham is one of the most awarded creatives in the world.

Accolades include Cannes Lions (including a Grand Prix), D&AD Pencils, One Show Pencils, LIAA, EPICA. EUROBEST, British Television Arrows, Campaign Press and Poster Awards.

He has also won 4 BAFTA’s.
 
Believing in ‘Pervasive creativity’ he made a record in 1991 about John McCarthy's release from captivity in the Lebanon, it become a club hit.
 
In 1995 he started directing commercials and music videos for the Paul Weiland Film Company. London’s most successful production company.
 
In 1996 he became the youngest ever president of D&AD (Design & Art Directors Association) and was voted into D&AD’s Art Direction Book representing the world's top 28 Art Directors of all time.
 
In 1999 he directed “A short film Z’ for the Millennium, commissioned by Lord Puttnam and his film was shortlisted for a BAFTA.
 
In 2001 he setup his own company, thefinktank ­ a conceptual production company. His music video for Dario G’s hit ‘Sunchyme’ was voted best dance video of the year and nominated for a BRIT award.

Graham is passionate about nurturing young talent, so in 2005 he set up theartschool (which many people have called Britain’s most radical art school) to teach young people coming into the business of creativity, film and design.

He is also a prolific photographer and has shot many ad campaigns including the London Olympic Bid campaign, which was successful in helping London host the 2012 Olympic games.
 
In 2005 he moved to M&C Saatchi to become Executive Creative Director. In the six years that followed, the agency won the most creative awards during its 15 years history.

In July 2011 he made the dramatic move to leave London and become Chief Creative Officer of Ogilvy China. Overseeing 17 offices.

In Cannes 2012, after just one year in charge, he picked up Ogilvy Asia’s first ever Grand Prix for Coca Cola, an ad he created with the help of Jonathan Mak a Hong Kong student who Graham spotted after seeing his Apple tribute logo to Steve Jobs.

This piece is now the most awarded in Coca Colas’s history.

Throughout all this, Graham has never lost his interest in Art and continues to photograph, paint and make films.

He is also still trying to master the art of chopsticks.