Wordperson

I wrote my first short story, “The Heart at the Bottom of the Sea”, when I was four years old. I dictated it to my father and my mother typed it up I still have it. It makes absolutely no sense. Years of attempting to write fiction have done nothing to strengthen my ability to come up with original plots. But my love of language, and its power to persuade, grows stronger every year.

That’s why I went into advertising/corporate communications: when I’m given somebody else’s story, I know exactly how to tell it. I’m good at it. And I enjoy it.

I’ve been telling other people’s stories for over 20 years now in print, web, tv and radio through a combination of advertising, public relations, and corporate communication projects. Past agencies have given me the opportunity to work on some of the largest clients in Atlantic Canada, such as Aliant, Atlantic Lottery Corporation, McDonald’s, Keith’s Brewery, Molson, Cape Breton Tourism and more.

In 2004 I went out on my own and can now add Capital Health, the Government of Nova Scotia, and Maritime Travel to my client list. My work has been recognized internationally for excellence. Awards include: a Global from the New York Festivals, a Mobius from the Chicago International Advertising Show, the Canada Travel Award for marketing innovation in the UK, Ireland and Europe, a Crystal for radio work as well as the top ICE Award for Out of Home advertising in Atlantic Canada.

Agencies and positions:

2000-2003
Cossette Atlantic
Associate creative director

1997-2000
Pulse
Senior copywriter

1988-1997
Corporate Communications Limited
Copywriter

I’m a Green Monster

I’ve worked on plenty of campaigns over the years that would guarantee a believer a nice, warm spot in the hereafter for promoting such sins as gambling and beer.

But on several occasions I have redeemed myself by promoting a cause I truly believe in: recycling and the environment.

I was thrilled to work on an initial series of ads that introduced residents of Halifax to the concept of composting and recycling in advance of green bins being delivered to their doors. (See two of them on my ad samples page – look for a famous NDP party face!) Even then I was already into backyard composting and also made special trips to take my cardboard and bottles out to the few places that accepted them. Now we get curbside pick up for everything! How easy is that?

I also worked on a website for the Department of Environment providing loads of cool facts and actions we can all do to make our world a little greener. Check it out here: Nova Scotia Second Nature

Now that I run my own business, I’m constantly looking for ways to balance profitability with environmental sustainability – and my personal corporate policy is that if it costs a little extra to be a little greener, I’ll do it. I buy the 100% recycled paper and coughed up for the printer that prints 2-sided and uses every smidge of toner in the cartridge. (Did you know some of them don’t?) Best of all, HP takes full responsibility for end-of-life considerations. Each of my toner cartridges comes in a pre-paid shipping box that allows me to send the used cartridge back to HP for recycling.

My own business cards were printed on recycled, non-glossy stock. They ain’t the sexiest card you’ll ever be given, but they can be recycled. (Not that you’d throw away my card, right?)

My father would be happy to know that his constant yelling at me to “turn out the lights when I leave the room” was not ignored. This little office gets powered down every night, weekend, and holiday. And I don’t just shut down the computer – I turn off its power bar so there is no phantom drain. (Did you know some computers and TVs use even MORE power in sleep mode or when they’re off? I learned that while working on the Environment website.)

I’m a one-person office, so there’s only so much I can do. But if you ever wondered why the envelope I sent you something in was used, why my file folders have dozens of project numbers written and crossed out across the front, or why my binders still have tabs from previous projects, that’s just me doing my little bit. What’s yours?