Phone:  +64 27 935 3005
Email:  michaelashford@gmail.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mcashford
Currently based: Auckland


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Previous Employment

Freelance
January 2025 – Current
I have been building and managing my own business, servicing a range of clients from small start-ups to local ad agencies and large corporations, including Fletcher Building and Spark NZ.
For this broad range of clients, I continue to provide a range of design solutions as well as effective advertising and marketing communications, where I have designed digital and print-based touch products, social media, PowerPoint presentations and almost everything in between.

Senior Designer – Artikel & Swint
June 2024 to December 2024
This 6-month maternity cover contract was for a specialist Agri-business ad agency based in the South Island. It was a remote working arrangement, taking on the responsibilities of the Creative Director, whilst injecting a fresh sense of creativity and ensuring their current creative team maintained the usual high standard of delivery.

Content Design Manager – Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
August 2021 to January 2024
At AUT, I played a key role in enhancing the university’s digital presence. Responsibilities included overhauling and maintaining the student services website to ensure seamless integration with AUT’s main website. I led the creation of engaging campaign concepts and managed the development of social media and on-campus digital screen content, resulting in a significant improvement in student engagement across multiple channels. 
In this leadership role, I provided strategic direction in the design and delivery of creative multimedia content for a variety of student campaigns, communications, and informational initiatives, consistently focusing on delivering clear, accessible, and engaging content tailored to the student community.

Art Director – Splendid Group
June 2017 – July 2021
During my 4 years collaborating with the Splendid Group, I delivered a broad portfolio of work that has helped some of the world's leading technology businesses, including Microsoft, AWS, NTT and Fujitsu, connect with their customers and get cut-through in an increasingly competitive world. 
The Splendid Group are based in Sydney, so this was a full-time remote arrangement before ‘working-remotely’ was part of our everyday lives. It presented unique challenges, time and project management being just a couple of them. All meet while constantly delivering a high standard of work.   

Art Director – TRACK Aotearoa (DDB Group)
April 2016 – June 2017
Upon returning to Auckland, I became part of the TRACK CRM team, producing award-winning campaigns for Westpac and their ‘First 100 Days’ program and Air New Zealand’s Airpoints program launch. Customer journey and satisfaction are at the core of this work, and those values are woven into the solutions I delivered during my time there.

Art Director – Ogilvy Sydney and Track (DDB Group)
January 2006 – February 2013
I started my career working on many household brands for global ad agencies DDB and Ogilvy in Sydney, including: Telstra, Audi, Australian Red Cross, Vodafone, Bankwest, IBM, Tourism NSW, Purina, KFC and Qantas – producing a variety of work that was recognised at both Cannes and the DMA's as a finalist.


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Testimonials

Michael is an extremely capable Art Director and a real pleasure to work with. He goes the extra mile every time, develops great work and all in a timely fashion and to top of is a great bloke. Moreover, he has an eye for detail and is happy to take recommendations from clients - if needed, that is. I would highly recommend him and have on many occasions asked if I could work with him again - he is that good!
Nick Symister
General Manager at Artikel & Swint Advertising


Michael is one of the most talented creatives I have ever worked with, and above all, has a pool of never-ending ideas coupled with a genuine passion to produce great work for his clients. He also goes out of his way to truly understand his clients' industries, visions and objectives. I loved working with Michael not only for his great ideas and creative talent but also because he has a thorough understanding of account service and is a true collaborator. In short, Michael is the creative the suits love to work with.
Reto Wolf
Director Marketing, Mastercard


Mike has great craft and an even better eye, always looking to improve the look. Plenty of energy and, above all else, a real pleasure to have in a team - enthusiasm is in short supply these days and it's a commodity Mike always delivers.
Barrie Seppings
Executive Creative Director at Splendid Group


I was fortunate enough to work with Michael at Ogilvy One on various highly creative and unique projects for IBM. Michael is an extremely talented creative with highly unique ideas. His patience, calm and sense of humour, even in the face of extremely tight deadlines, made it such a treat to work with Michael.
Courtney Robinson
Digital Strategy and Content Director at The Bicester Village Shopping Collection


I worked in partnership with Michael at DDB Australia on interactive campaigns for Telstra and the Red Cross. He's a pleasure to work with – a conscientious thinker and a craftsman. The thing that impressed me (and the Creative Director we were working under) was how committed he remained in his last month in the agency, when we were under pressure to deliver on some big campaigns. Most people tend to fade off. Michael didn't. He was there on the front line until the last day. I was sorry to see him go, and so was the rest of the department. However, that's life, and under the right conditions, perhaps we may end up working together again.
Ron Anderson
Senior Copywriter


Michael is a talented and motivated Art Director. He was an asset to the team and always came up with the goods. His attention to detail and attitude are outstanding. I would definitely recommend him as a key player in your creative department. It was a pleasure to work with him.
Kylie Suttor
Creative Director at the Pure Agency

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Qualifications

Top 10 Graduate – News Limited Award School, Sydney

Diploma of Graphic Design – Computer Graphics College, Sydney

Diploma of 3D Animation – Media Design School, Auckland


Awards

NZDM Awards: 1 x Gold  & 3 x Silver – Westpac First 100 Days eDM campaign

DMA Echo DM Awards Finalist – IBM The Lunch Bag High value DM

Cannes Lion Direct Lions Finalist – IBM The Keyboard High value DM



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