My Ambition is to

Eoghan Doherty, Creative Director, Ardmore

Thankfully nobody did much digging into my CV when it said I was a “chef in an American restaurant”, or they’d have found this was a slight exaggeration of my teenage years working in McDonald’s.

I guess it shows I’ve always been creative.

Growing up I loved films and music, joining my first choir aged four and performing with Ulster Youth Orchestra throughout secondary school. While studying English and Music at University College Dublin, I gigged at weddings, recording sessions and The Late Late Show, accompanying stars like Andrea Bocelli and Sinéad O’Connor. Similarly, cinema had a huge influence in my life and an afternoon callout on Today FM for a Film Reviewer grabbed my attention as I was on my way to teach piano.

It was serendipity. My two passions lined up perfectly, giving me my first taste of a career in media. While working in radio and TV, I joined JOE. ie, a Dublin-based digital publisher with an international audience. I worked with incredible brands and reported on iconic events, including Euro 2016, winning awards for our groundbreaking social coverage. After starting as Staff Writer, I finished my time there as Lead Creative and, following nine successful years and a global pandemic, I was looking for something new.

In early 2022, a slow-motion Dromona advert for melted cheese (another of my passions) stopped me in my tracks – I had to find out who made it. That’s when I discovered Ardmore, a leading advertising and marketing agency. Their credentials spoke for themselves – the only Northern Ireland-based agency in Campaign’s Top 30 list of best regional UK agencies, listed in The Drum’s Top 100 independent agencies, and a shareholder in Worldwide Partners, a global network of 70 independent agencies in over 40 countries.

Having done many celebrity interviews over the years – Robert de Niro was a particular favourite – it’s easy to tell who you click with. I’ve loved finding kindred spirits at Ardmore who adore reading, writing and creative ideas as much as I do - whether it’s a simple social post or a beautiful campaign that lasts long in the memory.

My background in music and media has given me an appreciation for the skills of others, along with an understanding of how collaboration creates something spectacular – be it a musical ensemble, a radio or TV crew, or Ardmore’s team of client services and creatives.

That’s what excites me about the agency. We hire people from all walks of life and backgrounds to bring different perspectives and thinking to our work. This year has seen the agency grow exponentially, and we recently acquired award-winning digital marketing specialist Built For Growth Digital to better capitalise on the fast-growing demand for eCommerce activity.

In my first week here I started with a Stena Line campaign, chatting to my ferry-obsessed aunt and uncle as a mini-focus group over a cup of tea in the kitchen. That’s the thing I love about ideas – they can come from anywhere or anyone and the privilege of my job is being able to take brands and find exciting new ways to tell their story. I believe that no matter what it is – picking which pair socks to wear or simply choosing your next film to watch – the right one will always jump out at you.

I’d love to write something like the next ‘Derry Girls.’ Is ‘Derry Boys’ taken yet? My ambition is to create something memorable and special that resonates with people. Whether it’s a one-on-one chat or something millions have the chance to see; if people react positively then I’m proud of my work.