‘Codee would excel if he applied himself
and stopped distracting others’
- Mr. Burden, Year 7 teacher.

As the URL suggests, my name’s Codee. I’m a multidisciplinary creative with fingers in a few pies.

I grew up as a little gay boy in a tiny rural town called Middlemarch, tucked away in the depths of southern New Zealand. In a valiant attempt to appear as heterosexual as possible, I spent my formative years doing musical theatre, painting, and attending pony club. Despite all that, I eventually fled rural life in pursuit of something bigger — landing myself in a ten-year career as an art director.

Throughout that career, I’ve worked across award-winning campaigns for some of Australasia’s most well-known brands. My creative fingers have found their way into all sorts of pies — from brand campaigns and digital experiences to activations, behaviour-change work, illustration, product design, photography, and writing.

Running alongside my advertising career is my lifelong affection for the paintbrush. Since my teenage years, I’ve loved expressing (and often laughing at) shared experiences — especially those tied to my youth and the stories that shaped me, both good and bad.

If you’d like to see or hear more of my work, feel free to hit me up.

xx
Codee

Employment

M&C Saatchi Australia
December 2019 - Present

Colenso BBDO
August 2015 - December 2019

Tutoring

Award School
2020, 2021, 2023

M&C Saatchi Open House
2021, 2022

Education

ACA Copywriting course
2023

Bachelor of Communications
Graduated 2015

Certificate in Design & Visual Arts
2012

Diploma in Rural Business (lol)
2010

 

Awards

CANNES
Shortlist - UNCLOUD - Health & Wellness

D&AD
Shortlist - UNCLOUD - Impact

B&T
Gold - UNCLOUD - Bravery

MADC
Gold - UNCLOUD - Best Social & Digital Campaign

SPIKES
Grand Prix - Play by Spark - Healthcare
Gold - Play by Spark - Healthcare
5 x Shortlist - Play by Spark

ECHO
Gold - Play by Spark - Tech & Communication
Gold - Play by Spark - Integrated

AD STARS
2 x Silver, 3 x Bronze, 3 x Shortlist - Play by Spark

AXIS AWARDS
2 x Gold, 6 x Silver, 5 x Bronze - Play by Spark

CAPLES
1 x Silver, 3 x Bronze - Play by Spark

CREATIVE POOL
2 x Bronze - Play by Spark

EFFIES
Bronze - Play by Spark- Consumer Services
Shortlist - Meal of fortune by World Vision

CAMPAIGN BRIEF - THE WORK
Shortlist - Lexus Senses Electrified