Partners
Good, versatile ideas are at the core of what we do but helping us ‘bring them to life’ are talented people at the top of their game. It creates a snowball effect, everyone contributes to the process in a collaborative way which vastly improves the work.
Dan Mawdesley – Owner / Founder
Dan wrote & directed his first radio ads for a chain of bike shops (aged 18) which got him into Watford College (famous for its creative copywriting course). After working in London, he joined Euro RSCG (now HAVAS) in The Netherlands, to see more of Europe and create 360º campaigns across international markets on everything from consumer electronics to dog food.
He then moved to ADK to work on global car commercials ultimately becoming Exec Creative Director and leading all Agency creative work on Nikon, Mitsubishi Motors & TDK. The Nikon work was sighted as a key reason the camera brand achieved SuperBrand® status. He’s also authored a number of campaign platforms including, ‘Take a different Road’ for Mitsubishi Motors (which ran for 10+ years in UK) and ‘Made & Played on TDK’.
Managerially, he reoriented ADK to be an autonomous, award winning Amsterdam agency, acquiring European clients inc. domestic Dutch and UK business, a first for the company. And actively recruited a cross section of creative, digital, design and post production talent. Awards include Campaign’s Best International Print, OneShow, EPICA, EuroBest, ADCN, Art Directors Club, Cannes Lions and the London International Awards.
After freelancing at agencies like AKQA & BBDO, he founded van North, to create strategically sound ideas and produce them too. The work has been featured in Lurzer’s Archive, Creative Review, Communication Arts and picked up by national Newspapers. As well as attracting leading photography awards such as the IPA’s, AOP and PX3.
When not working he can be found wading into rivers & lakes fishing, creating chaos in a kitchen or joining other *MAMILs, road and mountain biking across Europe.
*(Middle Aged Men In Lycra).
Alex Telfer – Photographer / Director
We’ve worked with Alex for over 10 years on clients like Nikon, Marantz, Inov-8 and Shakespeare. He shares our ideas, Northern work ethic and ‘special’ sense of humour. Alex has worked on some of the worlds biggest brands and won almost every photography award and accolade available. He was just voted the ‘IPA’s Photographer of the year 2017’.
Ben Joiner – DOP / Cameraman
We couldn’t believe how fast Ben was when we first worked together on a film for Subaru. Ben doesn’t do long waits or pedantic set-ups. He’s hands-on, can do, instinctive and quicker than than the cars he’s often found filming. Whether it’s commercials for global brands or world renowned TV shows like the BBC’s ‘Top Gear’ and ‘The Grand Tour’ for Amazon Prime.
Ryan Edy – Photographer
A young, award winning photographer who delivers on every shoot – whether Sports, Fashion, Financial or Automotive. Ryan’s shot for Subaru, Adidas, Berghaus, Reebok, Columbia and First Direct Bank. A cross-fit enthusiast, Ryan applies the same industry and effort to all his projects – a joy to work with.
Bas van Wijk – Post Production
After several years at the Dutch NOS Studios (Dutch Public Broadcasting), Bas moved to MTV and TMF. He’s run his own production company for over 20+ years and created content for Lego, Coca Cola, Comedy Central, Ben & Jerrys, Dell. But more than anything, he’s one of the most intuitive editors we’ve worked with.