Fractional Creative Director & Brand Advisor
Senior creative judgement
when decisions matter most
Hadleigh Averill
Clarity and direction
at critical moments
I work with founders, CEOs, and boards as a fractional creative director and brand advisor, stepping in when brand and creative decisions carry real commercial weight.
Whether launching something new, repositioning an existing brand, or navigating a period of change, I provide senior creative judgement, clarity, and restraint - helping organisations make fewer, better decisions without the cost or complexity of a full-time hire or traditional agency model.
About
I’ve spent more than two decades in senior creative leadership roles, working directly with founders and leadership teams on brands where the commercial stakes were real.
That includes helping Smirnoff become the number one spirit brand in New Zealand, transforming The Poolhouse from decline to growth in a recessionary market, and delivering sell-out launches across New Zealand, Australia, and Europe.
My work has been recognised with Effies, Cannes Lions, Clios, Mumbrella, Axis and other effectiveness and creative awards - experience I now bring into fractional creative direction and brand advisory roles.
How I can help
Senior creative leadership, from direction through to delivery.
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Senior creative leadership at moments when decisions matter. This includes brand positioning, creative direction, campaign evaluation, and sense-checking work before it goes into market - helping founders, CEOs, and boards make confident, well-judged calls.
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Short- to medium-term creative leadership roles for organisations that need senior direction, stability, or lift. This can include overseeing execution, mentoring senior creatives, and acting as the creative lead during periods of change or transition.
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Independent creative oversight for internal teams, agencies, or hybrid models. I help ensure work is strategically sound, creatively strong, and aligned to brand intent - providing clarity, consistency, and leadership without stepping into day-to-day production.
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Independent creative and brand perspective for leadership teams and boards navigating growth, risk, or transition. Focused on judgement, long-term brand value, and decision confidence rather than execution.
When to call me…
…and you want senior judgement before work goes into market.
When the organisation has outgrown founder-led or ad-hoc creative
When you’re navigating change
…such as a launch, repositioning, leadership transition, or period of complexity where clarity and restraint matter.
When creative decisions carry real or reputational risk
…and needs clearer direction, standards, and leadership - without a permanent hire.