Crisis

Late last year I worked with 300million on their rebranding of the homelessness charity Crisis. Since then, I've written the charity's Impact Reports (equivalent to Annual Reports) for 2007/08 and, just recently, 2008/09. I've also written the brochure for their new Urban Investors programme, encouraging major donors to fund some of Crisis's most innovative and effective projects.

"Mike has a full understanding of the Crisis brand and how it needs to be reflected in the language and tone of our reports. He captures it brilliantly, translating copy into language that is straightforward and compellling."
Phil Power, Head of Communications, Crisis

Raison d'Etre Spas

I've just finished my first project with Raison d'Etre, who create the most incredible spas for hotels and other destinations around the world.

I was brought in by my long-time design partners at Aricot Vert, who have designed the brochure and treatment menu for the launch of Raison d'Etre's first own-brand spa at the Grand Hotel, Stockholm. I've written the copy for both pieces, and even had some of my copy carved into one of the spa's stone walls. That's a first.

This is an exciting moment for the brand, as it emerges from the wings - where it has long remained, allowing its partner hotels to take the glory - onto centre stage. It's been a pleasure to help get it ready for the spotlight.

"It was more than a joy to work with Mike. He guided me if I was going off track, gently steering me in the direction that we ultimately took. But when I had to have what I had to have, he found a way of making it sound good. We had some good laughs along the way, which is vital, and most importantly he knows how to arrange words, so that in the end it all sounds more than perfect."
Rosamond Freeman-Attwood, Chairman and Founding Director, Raison d'Etre

London Vision Clinic

I've been working with the London Vision Clinic for a couple of years now, having been brought in by Hat-trick to help with the Clinic's rebranding. They needed a new, warmer and more human voice - one that would reassure the largely jittery audience considering laser eye surgery.

I put the new tone straight to work in the Clinic's new brochure and website, and continue to work with them on a whole range of patient communications.

"Mike came highly recommend to us. Over the last couple of years, we have worked with him on a variety of projects - many with very tight deadlines. His enthusiasm is infectious, and the quality of his writing consistently exceeds our expectations."
Craig Engelfried, Managing Director, London Vision Clinic

Land Securities

"Mike has worked with Land Securities since 2004, and is one of the roster writers for the London portfolio. In that time he's written all sorts of things - from brochures, websites, posters, newsletters and flyers to helping us define and communicate the core vision and values of the business. Whatever the brief, Mike's work is intelligent, incisive, creative and compelling. He's a valued member of our communication team."
Anna Chapman, Head of Marketing,
Land Securities London Portfolio

New Moon

I'd been working with production company New Moon for many years by the time they shot to fame creating the films for London's 2012 Olympic bid.

Having helped in a small way on the second of those films, I was much more involved in New Moon's work for the Russian city of Sochi, in its bid to host the 2014 Winter Games. Although Sochi began as the underdog, it ended up victorious, ensuring a clean Olympic sweep for New Moon.

I've worked with the team there for nigh on a decade now, on a whole range of film and TV briefs. I even met my wife on our first ever shoot (for the Crisis commercial mentioned below, which I must say I didn't write myself). So I had much to thank them for even before Caroline penned these generous words.

"Ever since Mike pitched a speculative creative idea for a TV spot for the charity Crisis, we've continued to be an ambassador for Mike's creative talent. The Crisis spot, Blue Christmas, became a multi-award-winner and Mike's collaborations with New Moon have continued to be creatively and personally satisfying. He's thoughtful, inventive, dilligent and laid-back - all qualities that make him a creative worthy of recommendation to even the most demanding Client!"
Caroline Rowland, Founder and Executive Creative Director

Thanks for everything, Caroline.

Elmwood

"Mike is kick-ass, very funny and uber smart!"

So says designer James Backhurst of Elmwood (London), with whom I've worked a few times. How nice - I'm pretty sure this is the first time anyone has ever called me 'kick-ass'. Thanks, James!

Airwave

Airwave is the business behind Britain's public safety communications network: an independent, exclusive network resilient and secure enough to stand up to anything, from flash floods to terrorist attack. Reassuring indeed.

The Partners created Airwave's new visual identity, and asked me to work on the tone of voice. Since then, I've written and edited masses of brochures, documents and other materials for them. It's fascinating stuff.

"Reed Words has always been a safe and trusted pair of hands for Airwave."
Trish McCrae, Marketing Communications Manager, Airwave

ThinkTank Media

I wrote production company ThinkTank's website recently (full story in my Portfolio section), and it was a genuine pleasure. That they're a very nice bunch is borne out by this generous recommendation:

"Mike has been fantastic to work with. He has managed to get the balance right on our site, effortlessly mixing humour with professionalism - I wouldn't hesitate in recommending Mike to anyone in need of wordsmith brilliance!!"
Niki Deighton, Founder, ThinkTank Media