I’m Hollie, I'm a multidisciplinary Creative Director with 15+ years experience creating modern, cultural, conversation-starting work and repositioning brands big and small. I'm the founder of We Are Shelance, a global network of female freelance creatives.

My career began in classic ad agencies, crafting 30-second TV spots and billboards, until I strapped a GoPro to a small dog at London Fashion Week and sparked a media frenzy. That’s when I fell in love with talkable work. So, I moved into PR and mastered the art of big ideas that aren’t just creative but truly earned.

Now, I bring both worlds together — developing big ideas that earn attention, not expect it. A true hybrid of art and copy, I create sharp writing and bold visuals. And lead teams across beauty, haircare, tech, healthcare, and CPG, always aiming to create work that doesn’t just stand out, but gets talked about.

My work has been recognized by Cannes Lions, Clio Image Awards, The Webbys and BIMAs.​

Lastly and most proudly, I’m the founder of Books on the Subway and Books on the Underground, now a global book sharing initiative. And speaker at Cannes Lions Festival For Creativity, Simon & Schuster Digital Innovation Festival, Penguin Random House Influencer event and panelist at Chicago Ideas.

EXPERIENCE
​FREELANCE CREATIVE DIRECTOR  |  July 2022 - Present
Strawberry Frog  /  160over90  /  Lippe Taylor  /  Pray Tell  / ​ Convicts  /  DeVries Global  /  Golin  /  The Brooklyn Brothers  /  Good Work

CREATIVE DIRECTOR @ BEAUTIFUL DESTINATIONS, NYC  |  Jan 2021 - July 2022

​CREATIVE DIRECTOR @ MMC, NYC  |  Jan 2017 - Jan 2021

​ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR @ GREY, NYC | Dec 2015 - Dec 2016

SENIOR ​CREATIVE @ LEO BURNETT, LDN  |  Nov 2011 - Nov 2015

​CREATIVE @ RAZORFISH, LDN  |  July 2011 - October 2011

​CREATIVE @ ​20:20, LDN  |  Dec 2009 - July 2011

PLACEMENTS @ VARIOUS LONDON AGENCIES  |  June 2008 - Dec 2009

AWARDS
YunoJuno Awards 2023
Finalist - Creative Freelancer Of The Year

Beacon Awards 2022
pHD -  Smarty Pants  |  Nominee Best Campaign

Cannes Lions 2018
Merck "Can't Wait For" Video - Branded content & entertainment (shortlisted)

Clio Image Award 2015
The Outnet - Sergio The Shoe Hunter (Prestige Social Media Campaign)

BIMAs 2015
WINNER - Consumer Retailer  |  The Outnet - Sergio The Shoe Hunter
WINNER - Content  |  The Outnet - Sergio The Shoe Hunter
WINNER - Social  |  The Outnet - Sergio The Shoe Hunter
Shortlisted - Video  |  The Outnet - Sergio The Shoe Hunter
Shortlisted - Well-being & Health  |  ghd - Christmas campaign 2014

DMAs 2015
GOLD - FMCG  |  ghd - Christmas campaign 2014
GOLD - Retail  |  The Outnet - Sergio The Shoe Hunter
SILVER - Integrated  |  ghd - Christmas campaign 2014
Shortlisted - Experiential  |  The Outnet - Sergio The Shoe Hunter

Drum Marketing Awards 2015
Shortlisted - Integrated Strategy of the Year  |  ghd - Christmas campaign 2014
Shortlisted - Customer Insight Strategy  |  ghd - Christmas campaign 2014

The Webby Awards 2015
Honoree - Social, Animal  |  The Outnet - Sergio The Shoe Hunter

Marketing Society Excellence Awards 2015
High Commendation - Marketing on a shoestring  |  The Outnet - Sergio The Shoe Hunter

D&AD Student Awards 2007
Commendation 'In Book' - Photography  |  Grazia Weekly

AND ALSO
2023  |  Founder @ We Are Shelance
A collective helping to connect and promote female freelance creatives in the advertising industry.

2019  |  Podcaster
Co-host of Books on the Subway The Podcast. An interview series with authors and humans who have impacted the city of NYC.

2012  |  Founder - Books on the Subway + Books on the Underground,
A worldwide book sharing initiative. Originally launched in London in 2012 I now have branches across the world. 

2018  |  Panelist at PAMA and Simon & Schuster
PAMA, an event for Penguin Randomhouse, educating marketers on #bookstagram. Speaker at SImon & Schuster's Digital Innovation Festival.

2014  |  Speaker at Chicago Ideas Week
'The Sharing Economy - What's mine is yours'

2015  |  Volunteer at New York Cares 
Working on the educational arts and mentoring program. Enabling underprivileged children, partially-sighted and disabled adults the opportunity to explore art, creativity and literature.

2014  |  ​Speaker at FutureRising
'21 things about Advertising I wish I could've told my 21 year old self'

2014  |  Mentor
School of Communication Arts 2.0