“Working with Tom is magic. He brings not only a wealth of experience, but also an incredible depth of cultural references. He can take the simplest brief (or the most complex, chaotic one) and find its essence, one that you may not have seen yourself. The end result is writing that can make you laugh, and sometimes cry. And most importantly writing that creates a distinctive, verbal world for your brand that is both differentiated and memorable. Collaborating together has been a true privilege, and I hope to work with him long into the future.”

Charlotte Humphries, Head of Brand, Cubitts

“Tom has an extraordinary ability to distil complex ideas, or vague client wishes into clear, compelling and creative narratives. His work has consistently elevated our brand and brought a rare blend of strategic clarity and creative flair. Could not recommend him more.”

Freddie Martyn | Vice-President, Marketing, Politico

Thomas Sharp

I work with brands and studios to create emotional, resonant, magical identities and advertising, always with language at their heart.

I have lots of awards, including being the world’s second most awarded studio in the 2020 D&AD awards, winning two yellow, two graphite and four wood pencils that year. My work regularly becomes part of culture in ways I could never predict. Here’s an unusual example.

I work best with big open briefs. I’ll expand your idea of what writing can do for your organisation. Let’s make something together yes@thepoetryofitall.com

“Thomas is a magician. I’ve been following him ever since he worked on an ad campaign for the Design Museum. We were aiming to position the museum as a pace-setter in the cultural sector. His line ‘Someday the other museums will be showing this stuff’ became a rallying call to our reinvention. With an economy of words, it explained neatly who we were. So ever since, I’ve been a super fan of Thomas.”

Alice Black – former Director of the Design Museum, founder of ArtULTRA

  • Campaign for Henry Moore Institute

    The Henry Moore Institute is a contemporary sculpture gallery. This is an advert for going there. Following its success on the streets, this line was sold as a poster on the Henry Moore Foundation website, becoming a best-seller. You can buy it here. Design by Studio Sutherl&.

  • Westminster campaign for Politico

    Politico was initially founded in Washington before expanding to Europe. Its free daily UK newsletters are very worth reading for anyone interested in behind-the-scenes info and lashings of snark. This ad campaign is targeting Westminster insiders.

  • London Fire Brigade campaign

    The running towards poster marks the bravery of the London Fire Brigade firefighters. The writing has subsequently been read at end-of-life ceremonies and church sermons. The single line ‘Love is the running towards’ appears above Old Street fire station and is photographed and shared on social media daily. Design by Studio Sutherl&.

  • St Martin-in-the-Fields commission

    I was commissioned by St Martin-in-the-Fields to write a piece for Sir Simon Russell Beale to perform at their prestigious annual charity gala. The writing was subsequently sold as an exclusive print. Design by Stop, Look & Listen.

  • Ad for data rights law firm AWO

    AWO was founded by lawyers involved in groundbreaking and precedent-setting legal action, public policy experts who were shaping digital policy in the EU and the UK, and data protection practitioners who were helping international organisations and companies meet complex international challenges.

    These adverts humanise the dry topic of our data rights. Design by Accept & Proceed.

  • Windows for Cubitts

    Bringing language in-store is always exciting. Here’s a line from the Modern House euphoria ad elsewhere on this carousel.

  • UK General Election campaign for Politico

    An advert composed from many of the the UK general election slogans since 1974. Design by Studio Sutherl&.

  • New York store opening campaign for Cubitts

    The success of Cubitts continues. They’ve recently opened stores in New York. I was very pleased to get the opportunity to sneak one of my heroes – Quentin Crisp – into this particular window.

  • Ad for data rights law firm AWO

    These adverts humanise the dry topic of our data rights. Design by Accept & Proceed.

  • 30 year anniversary campaign for Henry Moore Institute

    I love working with the Henry Moore Foundation. This piece is for their Leeds gallery which shows contemporary sculpture.

  • Audience response to UKCEH commission

    Along with visual artist Bryony Ella, I created an installation for the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, which voiced their butterfly and moth dataset having its first dream.

  • Manifesto for English National Ballet

    I had the honour of working closely with dancer and Artistic Director Tamara Rojo when she took over at English National Ballet. Over dinner she talked to me about what dancing meant to her and I turned it into a poetic piece that helped launch her incredibly successful leadership of ENB.

  • Ad for data rights law firm AWO

    These adverts humanise the dry topic of our data rights. Design by Accept & Proceed.

  • The Modern House advert for Cubitts

    This advert is for Cubitts’ sunglasses range. It’s written to invoke that glorious feeling of excitement we get on the cusp of summer. My idea was to create an ad that replicated the euphoric build of this.

  • Advert for Roman Baths in Bath

    Released just after a lockdown, hence the reference to ‘fragments’, this advert for the Roman Baths in Bath was so loved by one couple in Bath they had it read at their Civil Ceremony. Design by Steers McGillan Eves.

  • Product labels for Cubitts

    I love working with brands and finding different places for interesting language.

  • Ad for data rights law firm AWO

    These adverts humanise the dry topic of our data rights. Design by Accept & Proceed

  • Westminster campaign for Politico

    If you’re interested in UK politics, you should subscribe to Politico’s morning briefing.

  • Cubitts x Northern Monk

    Surreal, stream-of-consciousness beer can writing for limited edition Cubitts beer.

  • Westminster campaign for Politico

    More snark from Politico. This is my favourite one.

  • Henry Moore Studios & Gardens campaign

    The acclaimed Modernist sculptor Henry Moore was amazing. World’s highest earning artist, turned down a knighthood, co-founded CND, created a family home, workshop and sculpture gardens in Hertfordshire. Which you can now visit.

    This campaign was built around my line ‘Henry Moore knew how to live’. I had to pitch it to his formidable daughter who has dedicated her life to preserving her father’s work and memory. Design by Studio Sutherl&.

  • Ad for data rights law firm AWO

    These adverts humanise the dry topic of our data rights. Design by Accept & Proceed.

  • Large lobby poster in The British Library

    I was commissioned by The British Library to write something for their St Pancras building. I chose to take ‘research’ – one of the key activities of thousands of people in the building and bring it to life in an unexpected way. This large poster was shared thousands of times on social media.

“It was a complete delight working with Tom. He made a huge effort to understand our organisation and our work, and at every stage of the process he exceeded our hopes and expectations. The pieces Tom produced for us were brilliantly varied, moving and inventive, and they captured something about the organisation that struck a chord with all of us. The process was enjoyable from start to finish, not least the fact that Tom was admirably pragmatic about addressing the challenges that inevitably arise during a project like this. I can't wait to work together again!”

Ariel Harber, Head of Brand and Creative Content, Global Witness

Here are some of the people I’ve worked with

The British Library, Global Witness, Politico, Cubitts, Amar Radia – co-founder of Dishoom, Henry Moore Foundation, London Fire Brigade, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, St Martin-in-the-Fields, Nike, ArtULTRA, Google, V&A, Southbank Centre, English National Ballet, British Council, Deloitte, D&AD, Innovate UK, Art Fund, AXA, Twitter, Women Deliver, eOne, Context Travel, Francis Crick Institute, Canary Wharf, Historic Royal Palaces, Cultural Associates Oxford, AWO and the Design Museum. 

“Exceptional​. I’ve met few writers as sharp as Tom. Great instinct and insight ... with a generous serving of wit. Makes every word count.”

Amar Radia, co-founder of Dishoom and MTHK

“Thank you so much for keeping language alive. If there is a magical world behind the ragged curtain, I’m sure its inhabitants shine bright every time you release new poetry, I know I do.”

Poetry reader

The Poetry Of It All

For as long as I can remember I’ve been thinking about poetry. I see poetry as a landscape, sculpted by language, for a reader to explore. The landscape does not give the reader everything though, they must bring their own consciousness into play.

I now spend 50% of my time working on commercial projects and 50% of my time on artistic projects, all with language and poetry at their heart. I take profits from brand work and put them into the strange ideas I originate. Know that when you hire me to work on an advertising commission, you are helping fund poetry books, esoteric one-night-only happenings and other artistic experiences.

Inevitably there are many crossovers between what I do for the muse and what I do for people who pay me. It’s all language shaping the world. If you’d like to see more of my poetic work or buy books then visit here.

“I have worked with Tom on numerous campaigns for institutions who never before looked to push creative boundaries. Tom has created some truly wonderful work - words which linger with us long after the campaign has faded.”

Saskia Boersma, London Fire Brigade, TfL & Head of Bank of England Museum

“He is so obviously special.”

Sir Tim Smit, founder of Eden Project