John Martin

VerifiedAvailable to hire

I’m Art Director & Creative Consultant with 25+ years of experience, including 15 in the digital space. I thrive on the craft of creating advertising that is engaging, entertaining, and genuinely disruptive.

About

I’m Art Director & Creative Consultant with 25+ years of experience, including 15 in the digital space. I thrive on the craft of creating advertising that is engaging, entertaining, and genuinely disruptive.
As welI as ad agencies, I partner with startups and brands to help them ‘outthink’ their competition through strategic creative thinking rooted in human insight. By leveraging my network of top freelance specialists, I provide agile, high-quality solutions that deliver exceptional value and a clear competitive advantage—functioning not just as a service provider, but as a committed ally invested in your success.
I work with national and international clients across a variety of timezones and can also work remotely or on site if required.

Languages

  • IrishIntermediate
  • EnglishFluent

Industry experience

  • Media & Entertainment
  • Other
  • Professional Services

More experts in Malahide, Ireland

Projects · 34

This campaign positions PhoneWatch as the ultimate solution for home safety by leveraging a strategy of contrast and irrational relief. Instead of using generic fear-based messaging, we demonstrate the system’s comprehensive protection by humorously acknowledging the only threats it can’t stop: absurd, cinematic disasters like alien invasions and giant asteroids.

By adopting the aesthetic of 1950s B-movie posters—a genre built on paranoia—we create visually distinctive and memorable ads that reframe home security. The approach sells confidence and peace of mind, communicating that with PhoneWatch, the only dangers left are the make-believe ones. The witty tagline, “Don’t be alarmed. Be Phonewatched,” perfectly encapsulates this shift from fear to assuredness.

https://www.twine.net/signin

Phonewatch Irrational fears
  • Art Director
  • Brand Designer
  • Creative Director
  • +1
Club Orange Squeezer

An outdoor and print campaign launching Club Orange’s new branding and positioning across its range. ooh advertising artdirector

  • Art Director
SOS give blood

A call to action print and outdoor campaign was required to run when the demand for key blood groups was high and the stocks low. We created a simple, clear, visually engaging campaign highlighting the importance and urgency of each blood group using acronyms. ooh giveblood artdirector advertising

  • Art Director
Aer Lingus Christmas Outdoor

We created special outdoor message wishing visitors to Ireland’s major airports a Merry Christmas. The outdoor sites were back-lit and this enabled us to come up with this dynamic and engaging execution. ooh aerlingus advertising artdirector

  • Art Director
  • Artworker
  • Creative Director
Guinness Cans

A print execution that demonstrated that the Guinness in cans was of the same quality and taste as the draught. guinness artdirector

  • Art Director
  • Artworker
Jameson Irish Whiskey Christmas OOH

To build awareness around the integral role of Jameson in Christmas celebrations, we crafted three striking visuals featuring Jameson whiskey caps artistically drawn in the snow. These high-impact designs were showcased on 96-sheet posters across Northern Ireland. The campaign successfully resonated with consumers, resulting in a significant increase in sales compared to previous holiday seasons. photo designer artdirector

  • Artworker
  • Creative Director
  • Photographer
Irish Examiner Sleep in Campaign

The brief asked us to create a campaign to remind people how good the Irish Examiner weekend supplements are on a Saturday. We leveraged that laid back feeling people have over the weekend. Communicating that the weekend supplement so good you would do anything not to miss it, even sleep in. photo designer artdirector creativedirector illustrator photo designer

  • Art Director
  • Creative Director
Irish Examiner Sleep in Campaign

The brief asked us to create a campaign to remind people how good the Irish Examiner weekend supplements are on a Saturday. We leveraged that laid back feeling people have over the weekend. Communicating that the weekend supplement so good you would do anything not to miss it, even sleep in. photo designer artdirector creativedirector

  • Art Director
  • Creative Director
Irish Examiner Sleep in Campaign

The brief asked us to create a campaign to remind people how good the Irish Examiner weekend supplements are on a Saturday. We leveraged that laid back feeling people have over the weekend. Communicating that the weekend supplement so good you would do anything not to miss it, even sleep in. photo designer artdirector creativedirector

  • Art Director
  • Creative Director
  • Illustrator
Irish Examiner Munster Rugby

The Irish Examiner proudly highlights its enduring partnership and comprehensive coverage of Munster Rugby. Inspired by Munster Rugby’s ethos, “We rise by lifting each other,” and their core values of Community, Teamwork, Ambition, and Integrity, we crafted a powerful visual narrative. Our imagery portrays players and fans united, charging across the Thomond Park pitch amid fireworks and billowing red smoke, reminiscent of a historic battle scene. Despite budget constraints, we leveraged Mid Journey AI and Photoshop Generative AI tools to bring this vision to life designer artdirector creativedirector

  • AI Engineer
  • Art Director
  • Creative Director
  • +1
Discover your playful side

Virgin Media’s campaign celebrates play’s transformative power. Teaming with the Science Gallery, they created an exhibition on the science behind how play drives innovation and wellbeing. The campaign showed renowned professionals at play, reinforcing that it’s a fundamental human need. This narrative framed Virgin’s high-speed broadband as an enabler of these meaningful, joyful moments.

  • Art Director
  • Copywriter
  • Creative Director

Work experience· 20 roles

Senior Art Director · ChemistryDec 2019 – Sep 2025 · 5 yrs 10 mos

Led digital creative concepts for major brands including Dunnes Stores, Audi, and The Irish Examiner; specialised in new business pitch development and execution.

Senior Art Director · ChemistryDec 2019 – Sep 2025 · 5 yrs 10 mos

Led digital creative concepts for major brands including Dunnes Stores, Audi, and The Irish Examiner. Specialized in new business pitch development and execution.

Independent Creative Consultant & Art Director · Independent / Self-employedJan 2019 – Present · 7 yrs 11 mos

Collaborating with premier Irish and international advertising agencies; providing strategic creative direction and digital innovation expertise.

Senior Art Director · ChemistryJan 2019 – Sep 2025 · 6 yrs 9 mos
Independent Creative Consultant & Art DirectorJan 2019 – Present · 7 yrs 11 mos
Independent Creative Consultant & Art DirectorJan 2019 – Present · 7 yrs 11 mos
Senior Art Director · ICANDec 2018 – Sep 2025 · 6 yrs 10 mos
Senior Art Director · ICANDec 2018 – Sep 2025 · 6 yrs 10 mos

Education· 18

BA Marketing and Advertising · Dublin Insitute of Technology1989 – 1992
Diploma · Dublin Insitute of Technology1987 – 1989

Visual Communications

Diploma · Digital Marketing Institute2024 – 2025
Diploma in Artificial Intelligence · Digitial Marketing Institute2025 – 2024

Ai in Digital Marketing

Certifications and awards· 8

BA Marketing and Advertising1989 – 1992
Diploma1987 – 1989
Diploma in Digital Marketing2024 – 2025
Diploma in Generative AI2024

Testimonials · 5.0 from 2 reviews

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