About me

I'm Sam Cockayne, a freelance copywriter with over twenty years' experience writing for advertising, broadcast, SEO, editorial and for fun.

I was born in Sheffield, studied in Newcastle and worked, lived and played in both London and New York. I now live on the edge of the Peak District with my three kids, two angry fish and a delightful shoe collection.

Highlights of my career include: Donuts in Starsky and Hutch's car, stepping on Wayne Rooney's broken foot, posing as Mystic Meg's hand double, meeting Dusty Bin, briefing a toymaker to make an S&M sheep, adjusting Barbara Windsor's wig, directing John McCrirrick in a muzzle, staff parties in Ibiza, award ceremonies in Cannes, pitching in Milan and shooting my first advert on the forecourt of a petrol station in Walsall.

London...

I began my writing career as a creative copywriter in 1996, working in several of London's top advertising agencies on leading brands such as Nike, PlayStation, Nissan, News International, FCUK, Marlboro, John Smiths and Wonderbra.

My day to day job involved originating ideas and translating them into scripts for TV, radio and cinema commercials, overseeing the idea from script stage right until it appears on screen. I also created print, poster and online advertising campaigns plus tactical media stunts.

In 2002 I was promoted to the position of Creative Group Head and was responsible for creating and overseeing all advertising output for News International and The Tussauds Group.

During this time I won several awards, notably a D&AD pencil for my work on The Sun and a Cannes Lion for my work on PlayStation.

In 2005 I embarked on a freelance career to coincide with the arrival of my first child. This allowed me to expand my portfolio into television broadcasting, utilising my creative background to write and supply continuity links across the UKTV and Sky networks.

My latest projects

New York...

In 2007 I relocated to New York City where I took the opportunity to concentrate on raising my three children. During this time I began taking on more bespoke freelance projects, building up experience in a wider range of writing skills.

Alongside writing for a number of websites, I collaborated with the Moo Cow Ideas Farm and was also a regular contributor to my London based NCT magazine, diarising my life in New York with small children.

...and there's no place like home

In the words of another wearer of fabulous red shoes there really is no place like home, hence swapping the bright lights of New York and London for the greenery of the Peak District.

My move back Up North 2012 has given me the opportunity to work with a wide variety of interesting and innovative local businesses alongside my existing London and US clients. Every day brings a different challenge, allowing me to apply the many skills I have developed throughout my career journey. As a result, my creative portfolio has expanded to include significant experience in SEO content strategy and features editing, educational initiatives to support the National Curriculum and the ongoing development of a West End musical.

The varied nature of my career has resulted in a desire to explore new projects, working styles and disciplines. I thrive on creative challenges and actively seek opportunities to get involved in interesting and unusual projects, wherever they may arise.

When I am not writing I spend my time admiring my shoe collection—many of which are red—plotting adventures and frolicking around in The Great Outdoors. I can proudly claim to be the fastest tent-putter-upper in the North* and I still haven't grown out of my love for theme parks. I adore throwing parties and get disproportionately excited about dressing up for Halloween, so much so that costume planning generally starts around March. I also hold a not-so-secret desire to run away with the circus.

* according to my three children

samjcockayne@gmail.com | 07892 735573