Mark Farrelly

Job Title: Copywriter

Company name: Mark My Words

Clients worked on:  ANZ, Diners Club, Drake Personnel, Elders, RACV, Mission Australia Post, Salvos, The Age, Whitman's Chocolates, Cussons, Colonial State Bank Colonial First State, Sportscraft/Sportsgirl/David Lawrence, Channel Seven Sport, Tyrepower, Australia Post, Hewlett-Packard, BMW Link Telecommunications, Beecham ­ Macleans Toothpaste, Lucozade Energy Drinks, Rowntree (Kit Kat, Fantales, Black Magic), Dulux Paints, Bang & Olufsen.

Agencies worked with:
Ogilvy & Mather, Bristow & Prentice, Samuelson Talbot

Positions held within agencies:
Copywriter, Senior Copywriter, Creative Group Head

Top 5 tips on becoming a copywriter:

1. Really want to do it. Really, really, really want to do it. And keep
wanting to do it.
2. Learn all you can from the old masters and you'll see that many of
the new tricks from the new kids on the block are just old tricks dressed up
in a new guise.
3. Never forget what the word advertising means and where it comes
from. (from Latin advertere "to turn the attention towards or to")
4. Recognise that what you are doing is art, but with a commercial
purpose. Your client is your patron. Make them famous and they will let you
do wonderful work.
5. Strive to understand people and your craft. It's the craft of using
words and ideas to motivate people into action that is at the heart of what
you are doing.

How did you get started:

I did Melbourne Copyschool in 1985. It was great.

What's great about being a copywriter:

The constant challenge and stimulation of having to come up with ideas.
The potential that every brief could produce the best idea you've ever had.

Awards won:

• Melbourne Art Director's Club - 2 GOLD, 1 BRONZE
• LONDON INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING AWARDS (Finalist)
• Federation of Australian Commercial TV stations - 1 PSA
• GOLDEN STYLUS (Radio Awards) (2)
• ADMA - 1 BEST OF CATEGORY