I’m Alan Grové, a problem-solving copywriter-turned-Creative Director and Creative Brand Consultant who has worked in Cape Town, London and New York.
What I do:
- Simplify complex problems into single-minded solutions
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Bring brands and their messages to life with words and images
- Identify opportunities for brands to grow
- Build, manage, and work with teams that are happy and productive
- Make decisions and take responsibility for them
I work with existing teams in agencies and in-house at clients, either on my own or with my Art Director, Andrew Gardiner.
Alan Grové Creative
2022- Present
Creative Director and Brand Consultant
I work with agencies and directly with clients on creatively driven projects that range from copywriting to conceiving and overseeing production of campaigns. As a brand consultant I offer brand creation and positioning, including brand workshops, naming, identity and tone of voice. Clients include Five Guys, Zoggs, Xterra Offroad Triathlon, Mölnlycke Medical, Cakehead, Autodesk, Intel, Mailchimp, and HPE.
iCrossing
2019 2022
Head of Brand and Creative
I led the branding and design team at iCrossing (formerly Mediablaze until a merger in mid-2021), a Hearst Publishing- owned digital agency with UK offices in London, Brighton and Cardiff. As an agency we help brands to not just keep up with digital change, but get ahead of it. This can take the form of developing digital-first brands from start-up (naming, positioning, visual identity and language) to creating content for brands that are already established. Clients include Five Guys, Amazon, Speedo, Shiseido and Volvo amongst others as well as start-ups such as Alpian, Kin, Malverleys Gardens and Farm and W3 Club.
Freelance Creative Director
2018- 2019
I worked in a freelance capacity for various agencies in London as well as working directly with clients such as Five Guys, Cakehead and Zoggs on projects ranging from branding, brand strategy, tone of voice and copywriting to advertising and marketing campaigns.
Will London
2012-2018
Creative Partner
I co-founded Will as an agency that transforms brands. I was responsible for building the creative department and led all creative output from concept to production (in traditional media, digital and social) on brands such as Slendertone, Five Guys, Krispy Kreme, Zoggs, Genes Reunited, Screwfix, Make It Cheaper, Liquid Telecom and more.
Addiction LDN / NY
2010-2012
Creative Director
I joined Addiction to lead a pitch for the global Remington Hair Care account, which we won. I subsequently built and led the creative departments in both London and New York on brands such as Remington, A+E Networks, Krispy Kreme, B&Q, Isme, Chupa-Chups, Adidas and more.
Haygarth (London)
2007-2010
Deputy Creative Director
I was one of two Deputy Creative Heads in the UK’s largest independent integrated agency, overseeing a creative department of up to twenty people. Work included advertising, experiential and digital on brands such as Nokia, Nando's, Gillette, Dairy Crest, 118-118, Premier Foods and more.
Tugboat Agency (London)
2000-2006
Senior Copywriter – Creative Director
I started as Senior Copywriter and in time became Creative Director of this independent agency. Work included clients such as Autoglass, Nando's, Pret A Manger, Honda Motorcycles, Wolf Blass, MTV, New Zealand Lamb, Kangaroo Poo and International Fund for Animal Welfare. Highlights included writing the copy for the first Pret a Manger sandwich boxes and campaigning for a pedestrian fast lane on Oxford Street.
McCann Erickson Europe/ Worldwide (London)
1998-2000
Head Copywriter
Hunt Lascaris TBWA (Cape Town)
1997-1998
Senior Copywriter
Net#work BBDO (Cape Town/ Johannesburg)
1994-1997
Copywriter
The White House DDB (Cape Town)
1993-1994
Copywriter
Education
University of Cape Town
Bachelor of Arts (English and History, with a year of Fine Art)
Bryanston High School (Johannesburg)
Matric with full University Exemption
“If you are looking for lightning in a bottle, look no further. Alan has the rare ability to develop both insightful strategy and creative ideas that sell.”
Paul Hamilton
CMO, Five Guys Uk & Europe
“This brand is absolutely a perfect reflection of what we are trying to achieve with Alpian. It is pretty rare that design aesthetics meet the standards I set, but this logo does. Simple, elegant, clean , and meaningful.”
Schuyler Weiss
CEO, Alpian Digital Bank
“I have worked with Alan at three different brands over the last 15 years. He consistently delivers insights and ideas that drive great campaigns and results.”
Charlotte Thomas
International Head of Brand & Marketing, Zoggs