Over the course of 17+ years Hayden Scott has been a copywriter and creative head at some of the world's biggest (Ogilvy, DDB, Hakuhodo), smallest (StrawberryFrog, Metal) and most fiercely independent (Famous) agencies.
Along the way he has managed to reinvent a 100-year old Indian brand (Raymond); rewritten the taglines of the world's most iconic brands for the cause of girl child education (Nestle); invented a paintbrush for disabled foot artists (DOMS Stationery); used apples to defy a state-wide communication blackout (Radio Zindagi) and recently made a music video for John Legend (Johnnie Walker).
75+ awards (D&AD, One Show, Kyoorius, Cannes, Abbys, Effies) put him on a list of 40 top people under the age of 40 in Marketing and Advertising and even won him a Copywriter of the Year gong. His work and opinions have been featured in The Economic Times, Campaign, Financial Express, VICE, The Times of India, CNBC and more. A vocal diversity and inclusion advocate, he is often a featured speaker at DEI panels and discussion forums.
These days he leads the creative team at Virtue India and APAC, working deep within culture to build brands in an age of goldfish attention spans.
When not at work, he's passionate about mentoring young creatives (Miami Ad School and National Institute of Design) and companies to be their best creative selves.
Hayden is also a passionate artist and independent musician. You can hear some of his music and see some of his art on this site.
Selected honours and awards:
2024
7 Elephants, Kyoorius Creative Awards
2 Elephants, Designyatra
Moderator and panelist at SS Agency Con 2024
2023
Official Selection, Berlin Commercial
Silver, Best Use of Social Media, The Mommy Awards
Speaker and Panelist at the DEI EDGE Summit 2023
2022
1 shortlist, Social & Influencer, Spikes Asia
Honoree, Webby Awards
5 Silver Abbys, Goafest
8 Bronze Abbys, Goafest
3 Gold Abbys, Goafest
2 Grand Prix Abbys, Goafest
2021
Wood Pencil, Experiential/Out-of-home, D&AD
Industry Craft, Shortlist, Cannes
Writing Craft, Merit, One Show
Grand Prix, Online Marketing, Campaign Digital Crest
Gold, Viral Marketing Campaign, Campaign Digital Crest
Gold, Use of Social Media, Campaign Digital Crest
Gold, Short Form Video, Campaign Digital Crest
Silver, Social Media Campaign, Campaign Digital Crest
Bronze, Brand Installations, One Show Asia
8 Merits, One Show Asia
South Asia Independent Agency of the Year (Famous Innovations), Campaign South Asia
2020
Writing Craft, Merit, One Show
Design, Merit, One Show
Promo, Merit, One Show
11 shortlists, Kyoorius One Show
Blue Elephant, Writing for Advertising, Kyoorius One Show
Winner, SS 40 Under 40
South Asia Independent Agency of the Year (Famous Innovations), Campaign South Asia
2019
Blue Elephant, Writing for Advertising, Kyoorius One Show
Blue Elephant, Press Advertising, Kyoorius One Show
4 shortlists, Kyoorius One Show
Blue Elephant, Product Design, Kyoorius Designyatra
10 shortlists, Kyoorius Designyatra
South Asia Independent Agency of the Year (Famous Innovations), Campaign South Asia
2018
Silver, Direct Marketing, Effies
Blue Elephant, Writing for Advertising, Kyoorius D&AD
6 shortlists, Kyoorius D&AD
South Asia Independent Agency of the Year (Famous Innovations), Campaign South Asia
2017
Special Elephant, Design for Change, Kyoorius Designyatra
Blue elephant, Direct Innovation, Kyoorius D&AD
Blue elephant, Direct Marketing, Kyoorius D&AD
9 shortlists at Kyoorius D&AD
Branded content Gold Abby, Goafest
Design Gold Abby, Goafest
Print (single) Silver, Goafest
South Asia Independent Agency of the Year (Famous Innovations), Campaign South Asia
2016
Print, India Shortlist, Cannes Young Lions
Global Shortlist, Cannes Young Lions Health
South Asia Independent Agency of the Year (Famous Innovations), Campaign South Asia
2015
Copywriter of the Year, Campaign India
Ambient Gold, Goafest
Jury Member (Outdoor), Goafest
Film Craft Shortlist, Kyoorius D&AD
South Asia Independent Agency of the Year (Famous Innovations), Campaign South Asia
2014
Direct Marketing Shortlist, Kyoorius D&AD