To hear Derek tell it, his career was totally unplanned.
One impetuous decision after the next.
Leading to endless mistakes.
Exhibit A: Quitting the best agency in the country to go on holiday with his girlfriend. (CDP)
To me, it looks as meticulously pre-planned as any of the plots in the ‘Ocean’s’ films.
STEP 1: Work for the best agencies in town:
(CDP, BMP and DDB).
STEP 2: A reconnaissance trip to the States (Smith/Greenland).
STEP 3: Create financial security (Day/Devito-French).
STEP 4: Build a creative reputation at the most creative agencies of their day (WCRS and AMV).
STEP 5: Practice being a Creative Director at a big, bad agency (Ted Bates).
STEP 6: Now ready, you start your own shop (BDDH).
STEP 7: Position the agency as the first of a new trend (Third Wave).
STEP 8: Turn Marketers Directors curiosity about the Third Wave into retained business.
STEP 9: Sell.
Have a listen, tell me I’m wrong.
Yellow Pages.
The Economist.
British Telecom Business.
Cow & Gate.



Leeds Building Society.
BUTTERFIELD DAY DEVITO HOCKNEY.
Look After Your Heart.
Christian Aid.
Clerical Medical.

A few of Derek’s favourite ads from his BDDH creative department…
Look After Your Heart.

(Richard Flintham & Andy McLeod.)

(Rob Jack & Paul Shearer.)

(Richard Flintham & Andy McLeod.)
Christian Aid.

(Richard Flintham & Andy McLeod.)
Uvistat.

(Rob Jack & Paul Shearer.)

(Rob Jack & Paul Shearer.)

(Richard Flintham & Andy McLeod.)
Thames TV.

(Richard Flintham & Andy McLeod.)
More Derek…

The Guardian.


Commercials Magazine.































I kept enlarging the images to read the copy – I even did the ‘look after your heart’ quiz. What a treat and what great work. Those George Cole Leeds ads used to really stick in the memory. But – and I know this wasn’t one of Derek’s – the most wonderful piece of work on here, for me, is that devastating line, “If she had any shoes you wouldn’t want to in them”. Another amazing masterclass!
Hey Graham,
Glad you enjoyed it.
Yep, a lot of great work there that’s a little under the radar today.
Including Andy McLeod’s “If she had any shoes you wouldn’t want to in them”.
Dx