The Complete Creative Director

Creative directors are often thrust into leadership roles with little practical guidance. The result? Stress, costly mistakes, missed opportunities—and sometimes, a team that’s far from inspired. As the role becomes more demanding, the need for clear, actionable advice is more urgent than ever.
The Complete Creative Director is here to fill that gap, offering essential tools to help you lead with confidence and creativity. This is the first comprehensive manual for creative directors, providing straightforward advice that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine. It will help you understand exactly what's expected of you as a creative and give you the confidence to meet those expectations.
You’ll gain a solid grasp of best practices while learning to adapt them to fit your unique style and personality. The book also offers techniques for managing anxiety, so you can approach your role with focus and authority. You’ll discover how to build strong relationships—both inside and outside your organisation—while fostering a creative culture. Additionally, you’ll learn how to develop a thriving creative department, master pitches, and effectively engage with the commercial side of the business.
Ultimately, this book will make you more resilient in the face of setbacks, adaptable to constant change, and better equipped to focus on what truly matters: delivering exceptional creative work.

Author

Mick Mahoney has over 25 years of experience at the forefront of UK advertising and is one of the most awarded creatives of his generation. His accolades include the prestigious Cannes Grand Prix, The One Show Best in Show, along with multiple Cannes Lions, D&AD Pencils, and Arrows. Mick has served on the Cannes Lions Film Jury, the D&AD Black Pencil Jury, and has been Chairman of the D&AD Film Jury. He was ranked on Campaign Magazine's definitive Top UK CD list at each of the 3 agencies he led -—an unmatched achievement in the UK. Mick is also the author of The Creative Nudge, published by Laurence King and translated into several languages.