Everything you've always wanted to know about the brains behind the brands and the talent that can help you get the most from today's digital world.
Each issue we introduce you to some of the clever people who make our business tick, and this month it's our copywriter – and Grippet owner – Rich Hartley.
Rich started out in the world of recruitment advertising over 20 years ago and has never looked back. A creative copywriter, Rich has won loads of industry awards and worked with all kinds of clients. This has led to him touring universities, care homes, all manner of call cent
res, at least two prisons (they let him out) and a chocolate factory at midnight!
Rich started his career at HB Advertising and went on to work for TMP Worldwide and Barkers before becoming Creative Director at Havas People and eventually turning freelance. Rich worked with Lisa at Barkers and became a Flocker five years ago.
He’s always worked in the North West as his home is based in the Pennines between Manchester and Leeds on the Lancashire/Yorkshire border. And when he’s not being a wordsmith, he’s a football manager for his youngest son’s team.
We asked Rich to tell us what he’d choose if he could only watch, read and own one thing for the rest of his life:
Read: As a copywriter, I should probably say a classic or Booker prize-winning novel. But I’m not going to. When I get time to read (I’ve got two boys, so I spend a lot of time in the role of Dad’s taxi), I pick up any book by Terry Pratchett. He was a genius. His books instantly take you to other worlds and make you laugh out loud.
Watch: Sport hands-down! Manchester United or cricket (as I live on the border, I like watching Yorkshire and Lancashire). If sport isn’t allowed then I’ll go for the Blues Brothers. It’s got great music, has classic lines, makes me smile and is very silly.
Listen: My music taste is best described as eclectic. So, I’d have to go for a mix tape (the grand-daddy of playlists for those who have never seen a cassette) as I like everything from Otis Redding and The Killers to Madchester and Macklemore.
Own: My mobile would be the natural answer. But I’d have to go for a whippet. They arefantastic. We have one and a half (one of our dogs is technically a grippet - half whippet, half greyhound). And yes, I do have a flat cap - but it doesn’t suit me!
