Michael Ashford

Background

About Michael Ashford

Portfolio online at michaelashford.co.nz Currently: Employed full-time as the Content Design Manager at AUT University. Entrusted to build a sense of pride and engagement with AUT and ensure that our student community feel informed, cared for, and connected to the University and each other. To provide leadership in the design and delivery of creative multi-media content for student engagement campaigns, communications and information available across all the AUT student channels. Previously: I was building and managing my own business, servicing a range of clients locally, including Fletcher Building and leading global IT brands based in Australia, such as Microsoft and Fujitsu. With experience across many industries, I continue to provide a range of advertising and marketing communication solutions from TVC conceptualisation to post production down to simple social media requests, powerpoint presentations and almost everything in between. I have a number of years of experience within agencies, most recently with the TRACK CRM team (DDB group), primarily working on household name brands like Westpac, Air New Zealand, McDonald’s and AA Insurance. Customer journey and satisfaction are at the core of the work, and those values are woven into the solutions I delivered during my time there. Many of the campaigns I worked on received recognition at industry awards – including Westpac’s ‘First 100 Days’ program, and the Air New Zealand’s Airpoints program launch. Before returning to New Zealand I spent time in the industry with a couple of agencies in Sydney including RAPP (DDB Group) working across Telstra, Audi and the Australian Red Cross, Host (Vodafone & Bankwest). Before this I was at Ogilvy Sydney working on the regional IBM account across Australia & New Zealand, where I was able to produce a variety of work that was recognised at both Cannes and the DMAs as a finalist. After those initial years I moved onto different brands within the agency transferring my skills to a more traditional ATL role, including Tourism NSW as well as Purina, KFC and Qantas. Previous to becoming an Art Director, I worked as a 3D modeling and animation artist for Bruce Dunlop & Associates in Sydney, creating motion graphics for Sky News, Fox Sports and the Weather Channel. I completed my first design diploma at the Media Design School in Auckland and furthered my studies at the Computer Graphics College in Sydney studying Graphic Design.