New year for new beginnings

Flint Interactive has become the “go to” digital creative studio by many of Melbourne’s advertising and design agencies.

Today I became the 6th family member of this bubbling powerhouse.

Concept Development

As our agency/studio relationships grew stronger, it was time to step up and be that digital authority that we were destined to be. Digital is what we specialize in. It is our giant playground. We know that anything is possible, but what separates us is we know how to make it happen. Whether it be a full-fleshed website, microsite or even a social media Facebook application.

I became the facilitator of these creative sessions to devise the ideal digital execution for the situation at hand. Asking the right questions, spark discussions for the perfect answer. It is my second love from developing the campaign itself. When you’re passionate about something, you do well at it, no matter how hard or tricky it may be.

If information wasn’t so confidential, I’d be here showing off my clever mind maps and fancy idea spec documents.

We’re almost at the completion of 2008 and a few major changes have occurred to my humble life. Due to the global financial crisis, my position as Senior Flash Developer and lead Melbourne creative at The White Agency had become redundant as of this day last week.

I mustn’t dwell on this; rather take advantage of the situation. It’s given me time to redevelop half arsed versions of my website to something I’m really happy with. This also forces me to explore the digital advertising industry in Melbourne. I’ve worked with Brisbane based Cru and Sydney based White, but never a Melbourne based agency.

Website

This new website will provide me with the infrastructure to provide something back to the online digital community and industry that has given so much to me; as well as provide an online presence that will showcase my work to peers and potential employers.

In the near future you’ll be expecting; tutorials and start up files to the way I approach website and banner projects and why; and cutting edge Flash and web concepts I’ve been dabbling in.

Where to now?

This week I’ll be contacting advertising and recruitment agencies for full-time employment. Understanding that it is so close to the holiday season, employers may hold back on recruitment decisions, I will be happy to freelance and upskill/provide Flash training to occupy my time.

When I moved to Melbourne to work for White, I had never anticipated the pace of life as it turned out.

8 April 2008 - I farewelled my parents, and headed to the gate. On the plane I met Rachel, cool chick, that went to high school with Mitch from Cru. The next day, we ended up at South Melb beach to give in to our drinking habits. I learnt the sun and scotch don’t go well together.

That week, I settled in, in Melbourne. The week after, I was shipped to Sydney to get settled in with the creatives in the head office. I was pretty impressed with living in 3 different cities in 3 weeks.

After that little adventure, I started settling into Melbourne. Joined the gym, and started training with Tomi. Met my bar-hopping drinking partner in crime, through Dave and Claire. Melbourne’s such a fun and happening city … although I can’t wait for it to get warmer.

On the work front, I got to work on projects for carsales.com.au, Diet Coke and Coke Zero. It was 3 months since I touched down in Melbourne and I started to settle in, and get comfortable. Then, BANG, jet boosters fired up, and I found myself living in Sydney working on Mount Franklin’s latest mega-campaign: The Well of Positivity.

First weekend, I checked out Sydney, got settled in.

Second weekend, Friday night, I headed out to Liverpool, to catch up with my parents, who were down from Brisbane for a wedding. Saturday, I jumped back on the plane to Melbourne. Zeyn and Dave flew down from Bris, and Sunday morning, we were off at 4am to Mt Buller. After a few bumps and bruises, I learnt how to snowboard, kind of. It was nothing as painful as Monday night though. We decided to head to the pub and started off with Jager Bombs. Never good! It always lets the devil inside out. After scotches, vodkas, beer and wine (stupid Zeyn), I was once again vomitting in the bathroom of a hotel room.

Third weekend, I was up in Brisbane, to suprise my Cru successor, Matt’s, 30th birthday. After that, I headed to Amrita’s graduation party and then shortly after, I went to the boys house party. On the Sunday I was on a flight back to Sydney.

I was doing some seriously late nights, but I don’t mind if it’s going to make a dint in the digital and interactive industry.

Forth weekend, I was out on Friday night, for Groges, my current creative director’s 31st. Saturday, I headed back up to Brisbane for Ben, from Cru’s, 30th masquarade party. Soo good catching up with everyone. It felt like nothing had changed. Later that night, I headed to Brayden’s going away party. I got home at 4am, and then I was back on the plane - this time for Melbourne.

I was finally back in town but the work front hadn’t changed much. I was at work till 10 - 11 every night, then 1am on the Saturday. That weekend was a write-off to work, but Mt Franklin was finally finished, to a standard I was happy with.

I’m on my way to Brisbane again this weekend, and hopefully it gets calm before the next storm hits.

As one chapter closes, another one opens. But before that happens, I must say a final thank you.

Today is the day I part with my beloved Cru. Days leading up till today, I was reminded of how fortunate I was to have experienced what I was able to share; the opportunities I was handed; the situations I was exposed to; and to do it with some of the sharpest and most creative talents in the country; all with Cru Creative, Cru Group and its latest evolution, Cru Digital.

I was always questioned if I had made the right decision to leave such a vibrant team and one with such potential. Honestly, there is never a right time to leave a team like this, especially given its current acceleration of growth. But from a personal perspective, it is the right time for me. Plenty of thought was given to this decision. This decision will allow me to experience the industry from different heights and angles; discover a new city, network new friends; and further myself as an individual.

I have learned life is much more than just about work. I have also learned what I call “work” is also what I call “my hobby” and I’m addicted to the perks and glory surrounding it. I really love what I do, and I am happy for it to be a strong part of my lifestyle. I think I’m getting closer to finding that balance of work verses life that I am satisfied with, but in a way that it amplifies each other.

Cru has been a catalyst for my success and will be for anyone who is part of it. Embracing that Cru culture has shot me to the peak of my game in 3 short years. I am a by product of Cru’s success and as Ben has told me, in the same token, I have been played an integral part of Cru’s success. I will always remember these days and be thankful for it.

Guys, you’ve been great colleagues and greater friends. Thank you!