Stuart Howe
Alumnus - BSc Electronic Imaging and Media Communications - 2003
Stuart is the APAC Regional Client Production Lead at Publicis Groupe.
Journey to Bradford
"I first discovered the University of Bradford at a university fair in my hometown of Norwich. What immediately stood out was the Electronic Imaging and Media Communications course. It included modules on computer animation, which, at the time, felt like something from the future. I didn’t know much about the industry or the city, but I was deeply impressed by the quality of the work shown.
"Bradford also offered something unique—the National Museum of Film and Television. The concept of attending lectures in that setting, rather than in traditional classrooms, felt like stepping into the heart of the industry. It was exciting, distinctive, and full of promise. For a sixth-form student dreaming of something more, it simply clicked.
"I have two experiences from my time at Bradford which stand out the most as my favourite memories.
"The first was studying abroad for a year at Louisiana State University, which broadened my worldview and gave me lifelong confidence. The second was participating in a business pitch competition, similar to Dragon’s Den. The presentation was scheduled for the morning after our Graduation Ball, and let’s just say I wasn’t in peak condition. However, something about the chaos gave my teammate and me this strange, unstoppable energy. We ended up winning awards for office space, capital equipment, and mentoring support, all of which became the springboard for launching our first company. That surreal, hungover morning turned out to be one of the most pivotal days of my life."
I have too many favourite memories to count - but a few really shaped who I became. One was the support I received from lecturers like Richard Woodcock, who always saw potential in me, even when I wasn't so sure myself. Another was moving into the dorms, living away from home for the first time, and starting that journey of self-reliance, though I'm not convinced I ever fully grew up... I just picked up more responsibilities along the way!
Career journey
"I've always been a hands-on problem solver, building overclocked PCs for friends in school, diving deep into new technology, and experimenting creatively. That drive followed me to Bradford, where a module called How to Run an SME changed my life. It led to the creation of Studio 163, named after our student house on Little Horton Lane. We launched it straight out of university.
"After a rocky start, things changed almost overnight for Studio 163 following our first few mentorship sessions. One lesson that has stayed with me to this day came from a moment I will never forget. Our mentor, Simon Atherley, looked at me during a meeting and simply said, “Look at how you're sitting.” I had just turned 21, slouched in my chair, full of enthusiasm but not yet aware of the impression I was making. That comment, though small, hit hard. It was a masterclass in presence and professionalism, and a story I still share with young, ambitious creatives today.
"A few years later, while sitting on a beach in Mauritius, I read a newspaper article that stated: “If you want to succeed in Asia, learn Mandarin.” That single sentence changed the course of my life. I told my business partner, “This time next year, I’m going to China for a year to study Mandarin.” and I did. I lived with a local family, with a bathroom in the corner of the living room and a bedroom door that didn’t close properly. I nearly quit. But I met a Western expat who spoke fluent Mandarin, Korean, and English. He told me, “Once you get over the hump, everything changes.” He was right. I persevered, eventually reaching HSK Level 6, enough to read newspapers and follow the news fluently.
"After a few years in China, I had to make a choice, return to my UK business or continue pursuing opportunities in Asia. It was a difficult decision, but love and ambition prevailed. I moved to Korea to follow my filmmaking dreams. My girlfriend (now wife) encouraged me to take a ferry from China instead of flying, and that unexpected ferry ride led to meeting a Korean screenwriter, which only deepened my passion for cinema.
"Despite receiving advice against shooting my first film due to its subject, I went ahead, and it won Best Director and Best Drama. (You can still see this on YouTube.) My second film, as well as a music video that I shot with the same team from my first film, was also shortlisted for multiple festivals, winning awards and receiving distribution on cable TV during the time before all the online streaming platforms.
"After graduating, I joined Ogilvy & Mather in Hong Kong as a Senior Editor, where I worked on a campaign that won a Cannes Direct Lion. I helped build their in-house production team, which was later rebranded as H&O. Then, an opportunity arose in Vietnam to establish a new production office, leading to my appointment by Publicis Groupe to head their in-house production unit as General Manager. Four years later, I transitioned into my current role, where I lead client production transformation across APAC."
I’m proud of the risks I took, even when the odds didn’t favour me. Launching a company straight out of university. Learning Mandarin from scratch and living through the culture shock. Winning awards for films made in a foreign language.Building award-winning production teams in different countries. But I’m most proud of the people I’ve worked with, and how many of those relationships have lasted. Creative careers are rollercoasters, but surrounding yourself with good people makes all the difference.
Embracing creativity and innovation
"I love that no two days are ever the same. My role lies at the intersection of creativity, technology, and operations. I help shape production ecosystems across diverse cultures and markets while empowering local teams to achieve exceptional results.
"It’s also incredibly rewarding to collaborate with clients and agencies willing to push boundaries. Whether we’re reimagining workflows with AI or discovering smarter ways to scale storytelling across borders, there is a continuous sense of evolution."
Career advice
"My career advice would be - don't wait to be ready, just start. Say yes before you’ve figured it all out. Learn fast, adapt faster. Travel if you can. Challenge yourself with people who think differently from you. Learn how to speak to people from all walks of life, you can learn something from everybody, and sometimes you learn more about yourself.
And most importantly, don’t be afraid of failure. Every “no” I got just redirected me to something better. Embrace the detours. That’s where the magic happens."
Bradford provided me with a foundation as well as a spark, the notion that your ideas, regardless of how unconventional, are worth pursuing. It introduced me to mentors, friends, and a springboard into a global life I never imagined possible. Even now, when I enter a pitch room or a production set, I bring a piece of Bradford with me. It's where I learned to take risks, and support them with action.