Yes, I listen to Oasis.

No, I don’t watch football.

(Or soccer, if you call it that.)

I don’t drink tea, either.

And with that out of the way…

I’m Fareed: a part Yemeni, part Somali, part British copywriter, born and raised in not-so-sunny Manchester.

Now an honorary Torontonian, I’ve even adopted the Leafs as my own. Who needs the Stanley Cup anyway?

My degree in Journalism has given me a keen eye for a story, and taught me how to tell one too. In advertising, these skills have helped me craft campaigns for a whole host of global brands.

My most recent gig at McCann Manchester saw me working on the Aldi UK and Ireland accounts, selling great value groceries via the age-old medium of dad jokes.

In my spare time I run, read, game with friends, and watch far too many movies. I also play beer league hockey (despite the fact I don’t really drink).

As a mixed-race person from a working class background, getting into advertising wasn’t exactly straightforward. I had no idea you could even write ads for a living until around six years after I graduated.

I’m always happy to help anyone who’s curious about becoming a creative, so they might find their path a little easier than I did.

For the last few years, I’ve worked with Leeds Arts University, guiding second-years through a mock brief and helping them craft their responses.

If you’d like to chat about working in advertising, drop me a message on LinkedIn. I can take a look at your portfolio too.