Midweight Creative
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"Yama is a tremendous young talent. I had the pleasure to work with him and was impressed with his work ethic. He puts everything into everything he does. With a smile. He also contributed to our most high profile campaign to date."
Laurent Simon (Chief Creative Officer)
I INTERVIEWED MYSELF, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO!
So, who are you anyway?
I'm a cinema-going, Netflix-bingeing football fan from Afghanistan. I've worked in advertising for over 4 years, gaining well rounded knowledge of both traditional creative and the world of social media.
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Are you available to work now?
Yes! I am looking for new opportunities.
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Tell us a bit about your skillsets.
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Sure. I am deeply passionate about cultivating ideas and establishing brands. With 6 years of industry experience across diverse agencies in London, I've collaborated on a wide range of brands. I thrive both autonomously and within team settings, having excelled in integrated and social agency environments. My forte lies in conceptualisation and ideation, and I thoroughly enjoy the creative process, particularly brainstorming sessions.
During my tenure at VaynerMedia, where I spent my longest duration in one agency, I had the privilege of honing skills in both copywriting and Art Direction.
I am adept at working under pressure and consistently meeting deadlines.
How’d you end up in advertising?
Well, I never went to ad school. I came into the industry through JOLT Academy, a diversity scheme that brought people from different backgrounds into the industry. It gave me a week-long crash course in advertising before placing me at a bunch of London agencies. I've learnt pretty much everything on the job.
Which agencies have put up with you so far?
See below for yourself​ (the bigger the logo, the longer they've put up with me).
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Wow! You've probably worked on loads of brands then?
Yep. I've made creative work for Indeed, TikTok, Ford, TUI, Subway, Cisco, Wren Kitchens, Kraft Heinz, Adidas… Feel free to stop me at any time.
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Won any awards?
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I bagged myself a Wood Pencil at the D&AD Awards 2020! It was for my work on Pint Block for Department For Transport. Considering how crap that year was, this piece of news definitely lifted my spirits!
Any hobbies?
Football has always been my passion. I love watching it. I love playing it. I love talking about it. I also like all manner of movies and documentaries, especially the political kind. I like a good moan at the Tories.
The first thing you do when you get to work is ...
Drink coffee!
What are your biggest achievements outside of work?
I raised £400 when I did a tandem skydive for Cancer Research UK. Passing my driving test first time. And I once managed to stay awake for 62 hours straight at uni. I don't recommend it.
Of all the industries you could've worked in, you chose advertising. Explain yourself!
Honestly, it was never an industry I intended to go into. Beforehand, I was craving something more creative, but never considered advertising until I came across JOLT. But after 6 years, I absolutely love it. You literally get paid to come up with ideas. It doesn’t get better than that.
What ads make you go, "F**k, I wish I made that!"
Pepsi Max made a bus stop screen ad that scared the hell out of people by making them believe an asteroid was coming their way, among other things. Hilarious.
What ad makes you go, "F**k, that was awful!"
Heineken did this horrific ad (it’s since been banned) where they promoted low-alcohol beer by having a bartender slide it past a row of black people and into the hands of a white woman. The end line was, ‘Sometimes, lighter is better.’ It's the most cringeworthy thing I've ever seen.
If you weren't a creative, what would you be?
A professional footballer player. Obviously in the Liverpool team alongside Virgil van Dijk.
What's the hardest thing you've ever overcome?
Writing and performing a stand up comedy act as part of a side hustle my old partner Matt and I put together at VaynerMedia. Terrifiying, but so worth it.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? And don't say, “Barbados.”
Obviously, I want to be shaking hands at Cannes Festival and picking up awards. I'm passionate about delivering that cutting edge work in one of London’s best agencies. One with a good mix of clients and a great culture. Having said that, I'm equally open to agencies outside the UK too. Know any in Barbados?
And lastly, if you were stuck on a desert island, what three things would you NEED to have with you. Nothing useful please ...
Sun Tsu’s ‘Art of War’, even though I’m not one for reading books. A football (which I’d call Wilson.) And a banana hammock, because the name makes me giggle.
