Creative direction & international film production

I worked as Creative Director on a major documentary film project at Havas for one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, GlaxoSmithKline.

I devised the creative concept, pegged to World Aids Day, and helped develop the pitch, presenting the idea to the client and winning the commission. From there, I led the creative development of the project, turning the initial concept into a documentary approach capable of handling sensitive subject matter with authenticity and care.

The production was international in scale, involving filming across Europe and working in four languages. I identified and selected directors who could bring the right creative and editorial approach to the subject while managing the logistical demands of a complex pan-European production.

Achievements

• Devised the original creative concept and helped develop and present the successful client pitch.
• Led the creative direction from concept through production, maintaining a clear vision across a large, complex project.
• Worked closely with senior client and agency stakeholders, building consensus around the creative approach and responding to feedback throughout development.
• Identified and appointed directors with the creative sensitivity and production experience required for the subject matter.
• Helped shape the documentary’s narrative and editorial approach, ensuring complex and sensitive stories were communicated clearly and respectfully.
• Managed creative delivery across a pan-European production, coordinating work spanning multiple locations, contributors and production teams.
• Worked across four languages, ensuring the central idea and narrative remained coherent across different markets and audiences.
• Balanced creative ambition with the requirements of a highly regulated pharmaceutical client, navigating stakeholder, reputational and production considerations.
• Delivered a major piece of long-form branded content, combining creative direction, storytelling, stakeholder management and international production.