Inspired by nature — Built for impact
The Observatory is a nature-inspired creative agency for impact brands that need to move people, money and culture. We work with ocean, outdoor, wellbeing and nature-first businesses and organisations to turn important work into stories people can feel, brand worlds people want to enter, and creative systems that build commercial and cultural momentum.
For founders who refuseto be generic Let's talk—
"Outstanding. Creative masterminds with
razor-sharp execution."
razor-sharp execution."
Mick Southworth,
Executive Producer, Enriched Media Group
Executive Producer, Enriched Media Group
We work with ocean, outdoor, wellbeing and nature-first brands to turn purpose into powerful stories, systems and campaigns. Born from island life. Built on world-class creative experience. Designed for the causes, companies and movements that cannot afford to look, sound or behave like everyone else.
Capabilities
Strategy + Direction
Brand strategy
Positioning
Narrative architecture
Creative direction
Investor communications
Campaign strategy
Market insight
Design + Identity
Brand design
Visual identity
Art direction
Motion
Film
Gen-AI design
Key visuals
Pitch decks
Build + Execute
End-to-end production
Web
Multi-platform content
Experiential
Social
Generative AI film and motion
“World class design,
mind-bending visuals,
unstoppable commitment.”
Andrew Mitchell
CEO / Global Thought Leader, Equilibrium Futures
“An unstoppable avalanche of creativity—and incredibly
exciting to work with.”
LEWIS BUCKLEY
CEO / CO-FOUNDER, HIIZZY
“Rapid creative solutions
and breathtaking visuals”
Michael wright
director & writer of ‘lone star’, ceo of hibiki films
“Nailed the brief.”
Alexander Matt,
CMO, Fiskars
“Phenomenal.”
CHRIS CLARK,
CEO, PROSPERITY 24/7
“Fantastic creative
work, and a pleasure
to work with.”
Alex Book,
Strategy director, Futurebrand
“F*cking fantastic.”
Benji Strange,
Strada Global, CEO es
Creative Director
Ben Hickingbotham
Ben Hickingbotham
Twenty five years. Google, NASA, Jaguar Land Rover, Fortnite, and hundreds of founders in between.
Ben is where ideas begin and where they land, equally at home generating the concept that reframes everything as he is driving it through to execution.
He thinks fast, builds faster, and brings deep creative and strategic instinct to every project, asking what this needs to become, not just what it needs to look like.
Ben is where ideas begin and where they land, equally at home generating the concept that reframes everything as he is driving it through to execution.
He thinks fast, builds faster, and brings deep creative and strategic instinct to every project, asking what this needs to become, not just what it needs to look like.
Strategy Director
Sarah Hickingbotham
Sarah Hickingbotham
Sarah is the person who figures out what you're really trying to say and then makes sure it lands.
She works across brand narrative, positioning and communications strategy, and has a particular talent for high-stakes moments: the pitch, the launch, the pivot.
Precise, perceptive and genuinely invested in getting it right.
She works across brand narrative, positioning and communications strategy, and has a particular talent for high-stakes moments: the pitch, the launch, the pivot.
Precise, perceptive and genuinely invested in getting it right.
Film Director
Phil Clyde-Smith
Phil Clyde-Smith
Phil has directed for John Lewis, Gladiator,
and everything in between.
He brings the craft of traditional filmmaking and the curiosity to push it somewhere new, including generative AI, without ever losing sight of the story.
If it needs to move people, Phil's your person.
and everything in between.
He brings the craft of traditional filmmaking and the curiosity to push it somewhere new, including generative AI, without ever losing sight of the story.
If it needs to move people, Phil's your person.
