ABOUT ME

  • I’m Ant Jackson (she/her). I’m a brand consultant, creative director and writer, most known for the pun I wrote that ended up on every Lidl carrier bag across the country. Before my grocery-selling stint at TBWA\London, I was a marketing manager who sold kitchens, quite fittingly, the things you put groceries in (it was destiny).

  • From leading teams to advising clients, I work with brands, agencies, start-ups, campaigning groups, and non-profits to solve complex problems, change audience perceptions and behaviour, and build better experiences with strategically sound, relevant creative comms.

    Having worked in-house as a marketing manager, and with over a decade of experience in integrated creative agencies, production houses and strategy consultancies, I have a well-rounded perspective when it comes to assessing the needs of the client, agency and project team. Although my core discipline is creative, I often apply psychological, sociological and cultural research to my thinking and build brands and campaign platforms with human values-led or identity-led strategy. This has been a breath of fresh air for startups, philanthropic campaigning organisations, non-profits, and businesses, who often report that this approach enables them to understand their audiences better.

    I lead with a good balance of rational thinking and emotional empathy, and love collaborating with clients and colleagues to unpack data and insights, uncover compelling human truths, unearth fertile creative ground, nurture new ideas and talent, and grow brands. As a neurodiverse, LGBTQ+ creative leader, I advocate for equitable and inclusive workplaces where everyone can feel safe to be their authentic selves, set and respect boundaries, fail without fear and succeed together. Success is almost always a team effort, and teams will succeed more when ED&I and EQ are prioritised over ego and IQ.

  • While awards may offer a temporary self-esteem boost, and winning a pitch is always a rewarding dopamine hit, these weren’t the things that attracted me to the creative industries in the first place. Since as far back as I can remember, problem-solving has been my ‘thing’, and the world is full of problems that still need solving. As much as I’d love to climb to the top of Nelson’s Column with a gas mask and make it onto the front page of the Daily Fail, I figured that tying myself to a tree or blocking a road (no offence to those who do) probably wasn’t the best way to influence impactful change if I didn’t want a criminal record. So, instead, I’ve spent over a decade learning how to write, disrupt, engage, influence and persuade, so I’m better equipped to help organisations that want to make a proper impact. In other words, I’m a big, nerdy, non-conformist idealist who wants to create beautiful chaos instead of beautiful wallpaper.

  • ROLES

    Creative Director and Consultant - Freelance (2019 - Present)
    Co-Director of Advocacy - Outvertising (2022 - Present)
    Managing Consultant and Creative Director - Stonehaven Campaigns (2022-2023)
    Co-Chair - PRCA LGBTQ+ Group (2022)
    Senior Creative Group Head - Space Agency (2022)
    Senior Copywriter and Unite Co-Chair - Wunderman Thompson (2019-2022)
    Senior Copywriter - WeAreFearless (2018-2019)
    Creative - Rankin (2017-2018)
    Creative - TBWA \ London (2015-2017)
    Freelance Creative - Karmarama (2015)
    Freelance Creative - NBC Universal (2015)
    Marketing Manager - Ream (2012-2014)
    Marketing Consultant - Fleet Operations (2010-2014)
    Digital Account Executive - GForces (2013)


    EDUCATION

    Leading with EQ Executive Course - King's College London (2023)
    Leadership and People Management Executive Course - King's College London (2021)
    The Science of Wellbeing - Yale University via Coursera (2020)
    Storytelling 1 - D&AD (2021)
    Principles of selling ideas - D&AD (2019)
    MA Creative Advertising - Merit - Falmouth University (2015)
    BA (Hons) Advertising and Marketing Communications - 2:1 - University of Bedfordshire (2013)
    A-Levels: Media Studies, English Language, Psychology (2008)

  • The Independent Agency Awards 2023, Best Use Of Copy - Discarded - Waste Tastes Beautiful - Winner
    ET Brand Equity Shark Awards 2021, CSR - HSBC - #ProudOfMore - Bronze
    The Pitch Fanzine - Pitch List Superperson 2021
    WACL Future Leaders Award 2020 - Winner
    The Marketing Society Brave Awards 2019 - Bridgestone x IOC - Chase your dream, no matter what - Shortlist
    The Drum Awards 2019 Automotive - Bridgestone x IOC - Chase your dream, no matter what - Shortlist 
    Sports Industry Awards 2018 - Bridgestone x IOC - Chase your dream, no matter what - Winner
    Young Creative Council - Badass Gal 2019
    IPA Effectiveness Awards 2018 - LIDL - Gold
    Adland 2015 Best Cannes Self Promotion - Lion Arse Award - 1st Place
    Falmouth University 2015 - Warmest Wit
    Go Ape 2015 - “I climbed a tree!” Certificate

  • Raconteur - The Woman Behind ‘Big On Quality, Lidl On Price’
    The Pitch Fanzine - Superperson Spotlight: Ant Jackson
    Campaign - Stonehaven Hires AdLand Duo To Lead New Creative Capability
    MediaShotz - Toaster, Outvertising, YCC To Hold First Ever London Pride Crits
    DIVA Magazine - Conversations About Gender Identity: Are things Changing For The Better?
    The One Club For Creativity - WPP Unite X The One Club: Behind The Stonewall Riots Launch
    DIVA Magazine - Bisexuality: A Tale Of Two Loaves
    Campaign: Adland Commits To Action On Queer Female Representation
    PR Week - Open Letter Calls For Greater Inclusion Of LGBT+ Women In Advertising
    Creative Review - An Oral History Of Lidl’s Big On Quality, Lidl On Price Slogan
    Creative Brief - How To Overcome A Creative Crisis Of Confidence
    PR Week - When It Comes To LGBTQ+, We Can All Learn From ‘T’
    PR Week - Watch Young PRs Take Just 24 Hours To Respond To Minister’s ‘Unproductive’ Claim
    Falmouth University School Of Communication Design - Lion Arses At Cannes

  • Airbnb, Airbus, Air New Zealand, AEG Electrolux, Airspace Change Organising Group, Amazon, BeGambleAware, BNP Paribas, British Paralympic Committee, Bupa, Coco de Mer, Clean Air Fund, Diageo, Doom Bar, First Bus, Hays, Honda, Hollywood Bowl, HSBC, Hunger Magazine, IKEA, Mercedes, Mazda, Nokia, Nestle Skin Health, Nissan, International Olympic Committee, Lebara, Lidl, Jacobs, Jameson, Porsche, Quadro Vehicles, Queer Voices Heard, KK Group, Secret Cinema, Sergei Polunin, Sharps, Sotheby's, Syfy Channel, The Diversity Standards Collective, TRESemmé, Uber, UEFA, Velux, Virgin Money, Yorkshire Bank and Youngs Seafood. 

  • Advocacy Co-Director, Outvertising - 2022 - Present
    Guest Lecturer, LCC University of The Arts London - 2024
    Speaker, Neurodiversity Week - 2024
    Judge, ESA Awards - 2024
    Speaker, Neurodiverse Leaders, The Future is ND - 2023
    Judge, Effie Awards - 2023
    Central committee + agency lead, WPP Unite - 2021
    Mentor, Outvertising - 2020 - 2022
    ED&I Lead, Young Creative Council - 2016 - 2022
    Judge, Effie Awards - 2021
    Co-chair, PRCA LGBTQ+ Group - 2021
    Mentor, D&AD New Blood - 2020
    Ambassador, NABS - 2019 - 2021
    Speaker, Falmouth University - 2018
    Panelist, Outvertising - 2018
    Panelist, Black Creators Matter - 2018
    Speaker, Sup De Pub - 2016

    For speaking enquiries, head to the 'Contact' section.

  • "I had the pleasure of working with Ant at Stonehaven. A truly fantastic creative director and a great person all round!"
    - Rohan Takiar, Senior Consultant at Stonehaven

    "Ant is a brilliantly strategic and effective creative leader. She doesn't just see briefs and work, she's able to step back, see the bigger picture and context within which we operate. This means she can shine a light right through the noise of the day to day, finding her way through complex systems and processes to connect the dots and find new opportunities for creativity and innovation. On a personal note Ant is someone always looking out for others, she makes an excellent sounding board for anyone who wants to push for better work and impact."
    - Jo Weston, Founder of Wild Strategy

    "Ant is brilliant. Period. I could keep on going and saying what a privilege it is to work with her, what a beautiful soul she is and how an amazing creative mind she has. But I’ll stop at Ant is brilliant. Period."
    - Isabella Mulholland, Chief Strategy Officer at SUBA Agency

    "Ant is a strategically minded writer who can articulate ideas with either three word precision copy or carefully thought through, longer-form arguments. Smart, funny and a pleasure to work with - I would highly recommend having Ant on your team as a powerhouse of words and ideas."
    - Alex Hoban, Executive Creative Director at Momentum Worldwide

    "Ant is incredibly hard working and dedicated. Whilst working together, Ant led pitches and managed teams, and was incredibly supportive and inspirational to the creative department. A real inspiration, always thinking about new ways, new approaches to ways of working. Ant comes at everything with a real passion, and a real desire to better the world and the workplace."
    - Sandra Wilkin, Creative Services Manager at Space

    "I thoroughly enjoyed working with Ant, she is passionate and committed. And she will bribe you with chocolate... be warned."
    - Dawn Cardy, Business Director, brand Experience

    "Ant is one of the most creative, innovative and inspirational people I've ever had the good luck to work with. She's never short of truly out-of-the-box ideas, and has transformed a number of half-baked concepts into works of art. To top it off, she's a hugely supportive and warm team member. Indispensable, and greatly missed here."
    - Victoria Teesdale-Ives, Copywriter at Wunderman Thompson

    "Ant is a strong creative storyteller who can empathise, break down boundaries and bravely tell the stories that others can not. She has a fantastic brain that’s inspiringly good at thinking out of the box and seeing hidden potential. She's passionate about the world, the people in it and how we can make both better together. Her unrest for inclusivity and diversity means anything she works on is done with authenticity and purpose."
    - Rianna Woods, Art Director at Wunderman Thompson

    "Ant is a big thinker. She properly considers every task at hand and puts everything into answering the brief. Solid creative. Kind human."
    - Tom Drew, Executive Creative Director at Wunderman Thompson

    "Ant believes in the power of ideas – the great ones can change the world. Ant is highly creative, a strong communicator and a good writer. When she sees potential in something, she makes sure it gets done by rolling up her sleeves, making the call, reaching out or speaking out. She’s relentlessly dedicated to seeing companies and brands be more inclusive, in every way and at every level."
    - Conrad Rasmussen, Head of Experience at Wunderman Thompson

    "Ant's most distinguishing quality is how much she cares. About the work she is creating, the society she is creating it for and the team mates she is making it with. This passion makes her a positive force, helping drive and implement change for good and inspire those around her to want to do better. With Ant you get talent, passion and work ethic - you can't ask for any more than that."
    - Chris Daplyn, Chief Executive Officer at Mirum

    "Absolute leg-end - brilliant creative and absolutely great insight and knowledge from a D&I perspective - Ant did both for me and helped write the copy / strategy for my initial business deck, it was insightful, lighthearted and is still being used today! If you get the chance to work with Ant, you’ll never look back!" - Rich Miles, CEO and Founder of The Diversity Standards Collective

    "I worked with Ant when I was the CSO at TBWA and immediately was impressed by her thinking and creativity. I enjoyed spending time working with her and I would recommend her to anyone. I am looking forward to seeing the direction her career takes her in."
    - Amelia Torode, Chief Strategy Lead at WPP Open X

    "It has been a real privilege working so closely with Ant on The Good Gift Wrap for our Wrap Up London campaign. We loved all her ideas instantly and she gave us confidence in the campaign as our first ever fundraising opportunity, during a time when every penny donated really would help us support vulnerable people in need. It was as if Ant was just an extension of our own team, as she already knew everything about our charity, our work, our ambitions and our beliefs, and she translated that completely into The Good Gift Wrap. I can not thank her enough and I hope to be able to work with her again in the near future."
    - Erika Fawdry-Bewers, Marketing Lead at HandsOn London

    "Ant has been an inspiration to us. From a germ of an idea she has created an amazing fundraiser for our 10th Anniversary, pulling together a talented team to make the vision a reality. This has been an wonderful journey for all of us. Ant is one of the most professional people I have had the pleasure to work with, she is always full of ideas, creativity and has a true passion for her work. Most importantly, she shares her clients passion and makes it real." -
    Jon Meech, Chief Executive Officer at HandsOn London

    "ANT = Advertising Nerd (with shit loads of) Talent
    I freakin’ LOVE working with Ant. She always throws herself in 110% and is always hunting for the breakthrough big idea or twist that takes your brief to the next level. I couldn’t recommend Ant enough. Give her a problem to solve, get out of her way and the likelihood is she’s have it waiting neatly on your desk the next morning. Just don’t ask her what she’s been up on the weekend as she has the most amount of awesome side hustles ever and will make you feel >>this<<< small."
    - Arch Sullivan, Creative and Content Director at WeAreFearless

    "Ant is someone I’d always fight to be part of my project team. She is a brave and challenging creative thinker who sparks great work, and importantly she is brilliantly collaborative in that process. As a ‘suit’ I always want to work with creative specialists like Ant who make creating great work an incredibly positive process. Her work on Bridgestone’s Olympic Partnership is some of the best I’ve seen throughout my career and is a wonderful legacy to her time at WeAreFearless."
    - Mark Huckerby, Head of sponsorship at Vodafone

    "Antonia lives and breathes creativity. Her ability to take any subject matter and make it come alive on a page is second to none. During her time working on Bridgestone's award winning Chase Your Dream No Matter What campaign, she was able to bring to life the emotions needed to turn a low interest category into something everyone could relate to.
    Besides her amazing work and work ethic, she is an absolute joy to have in the office with her witty nature and great banter. She would be an asset to anywhere she works and it's just a shame it's not here anymore!"
    - Sha Gorur - Head of digital content, platforms and solutions at Kantar

    "Ant and Zish are a force of nature. There may well be a more talented, harder working and visionary creative duo in London but they're probably already ECDs, so these two represent a warm and shiny future. If deep-thinking-bone-crunching-soul-moving-product-selling-eyebrow-raising-throughly-modern-but-oh-so-crafted ideas are your game, well my wise and discerning friend, you've met your soulmates."
    - Graeme Douglas, Founder and CSO of Bicycle London.



  • Please reach out if you'd like to discuss working together.

    Email: antjacksoncreative@gmail.com
    The gram: @AntJacksonCreative
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ant-jackson-99889510