Introducing Phil Taffs
Award Winning Advertising
Copywriter and Creative Director.

FF: Hi Phil, welcome to Freelance Faces. How did you start out as a freelancer?
After 15 years, I’d worked at big agencies like Mojo. I’d worked at small agencies too like M15 New York. I finally decided I wanted to work in a way that suited me.
FF: How long have you been freelancing and why do you freelance?
Six years. I freelance for freedom, flexibility and no politics. I can concentrate 100% on the job at hand.
I would say I work smarter if not harder now than I did when I worked for agencies.
It’s also allowed me to do more branding/planning/strategic work than is typical for a creative in a traditional agency. (Even though we all know good creatives are often good strategists too!)
FF: I hear that you have both Melbourne and Sydney clients - how does that work for you?
One of the great things about freelance is that you can work nationally. Via phone and email. I can just as easily handle a Sydney brief as a Melbourne one. The whole of Australia becomes your agency.
FF: How does freelancing affect your lifestyle?
It frees it up. I can usually pick up my sons from school on a Friday afternoon but then am more than happy to make up the time on a Sunday morning. But I have no concept of public holidays any more - much to my wife’s chagrin.
FF: What are your specialities?
Like Peter Barry - featured last month -
I am a writer who can write. I have a BA Hons in English, have had short stories published and have finished a novel.
So I am as at home with a tender document as I am with a 10 x 2.
FF: What have been your career highlights?
- Working in Manhattan in the early noughties
- Helping to launch the Honda Odyssey and CR-V into Australia
- Beating Sean Cummins for Best Community Service TV ad at the MADC awards one year
- Creating ‘Leave your hat on’ for SunSmart (with a little help from Randy Newman)
- Oh, and the TV ad with two little boys talking about their ‘ducks’ for Brivis. Click here to see the Brivis TV ad.
FF: What other interests do you have?
- Reading and writing fiction
- Movies - especially thrillers
- The Kennedy Assassination and the Manson Murders (read my novel!)
- Abusing my guitar
- Supporting the Blue Boys
FF: Do you teach you skills to others?
I have been both an AWARD School and RMIT tutor. And I will try to help any young person who approaches me with their folio.
FF: How do you usually source freelance work?
Doing good work consistently over a period of time is the best word-of-mouth.
FF: What do you think of the Freelance Factory concept?
I think it’s a great concept. I saw the first ad you ran in AdNews two years ago and have been a fan ever since.
FF: Thanks for your time Phil.
You can see more of Phil's work.
Cick here.
Phil is based in Hawthorn Melbourne Victoria - but is available Australia-wide.
Contact Phil by email
Contact Phil by email - click here.
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