Guest Blog: Hard on the Work, Kind to the People

The ShoutOutToHelpOut Story by Steve Price

Who is Steve Price?
A proud believer in the famously misquoted Shakespeare line: 'A Jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one'. A curious, creative soul, Steve have been described as *checks notes* a ‘seasoned’, a’ veteran’ and even a ‘titan’ creative director, but as Rodd Chant recently wrote, ‘creativity doesn't fade, in fact, over time you get better at it’. Fucking A.

His LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/planbstudio/

A story of connection, kindness, and the power of helping

July 2020 – Lockdown, Series 1
There I was, sat at my kitchen table, home-schooling my kids (quickly forming a new found respect and appreciation for teachers) during a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, when it hit me: I’ve had no emails or messages from graduates. Like a slow-drip, hipster coffee, the realisation filtered through: People are graduating into this mess.

I jumped on social media and posted an open invite: if you’re a graduate or know one who needs help getting seen by the industry, I’m here.

August 2020 – Eat Out to Help Out
The UK government launched a scheme, and I had a lightbulb moment: Shout Out to Help Out. I set up LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram accounts. I shared graduate work and bios, set up a Calendly link for 30-minute chinwags, and spent my evenings Zoom-calling graduates instead of sim racing (badly) online.

What started as portfolio reviews became two-way therapy sessions. Many were disheartened, understandably. Lockdown crushed spirits, but so too did the realisation that many weren't prepared for life beyond university. (Not always the schools’ fault — often it’s a lack of student engagement.)

Ideas, Not Problems
I wanted every call and message to be hopeful. It wasn’t enough to moan — they needed positive, pro-active ideas. I offered advice, connected people with others in my network, and encouraged them to keep moving forward.

By September 2020, I knew of seven people who’d landed jobs or placements through these connections.

From Seven to Twenty-Four
More and more people reached out. I started posting weekly roundups on Medium, annoying my LinkedIn and Twitter followers with relentless sharing. I even took to recording walking videos with my dog Bob, urging peers to get off their arses and help.

Soon, twenty-four people had jobs or freelance gigs — all because they stayed proactive and kept in touch (hint: that’s the secret to networking).

Building a Directory
In October 2020, I spotted a gap: where do agencies find new talent after the degree shows end? So, with tech wizard Chris Grant and wordsmith Becky Smith, we built shoutouttohelpout.org

A free, open directory, searchable by discipline and location. Submit a simple Google form, and your profile was live and posted to Linkedin, Twitter and IG.

By 2024, over 360 creatives were on ShoutOutToHelpOut. Agencies and studios used it to source talent. I launched a podcast, inviting industry leaders to share their stories.

The number of people I knew I’d helped jumped to forty-six — and those were just the ones I heard from.

July 2024 – Tough Times
After 23 years running my agency, I hit zero: no work, no projects, no replies. Bankruptcy loomed. Hard cuts were needed. ShoutOutToHelpOut, along with Buffer and Calendly, had to be wound down.

August 2024 – A New Chapter
Just as the industry ghosted me for nine months, I was offered a Senior Creative Director role at 9Rooftops. My time was no longer my own, and ShoutOutToHelpOut officially closed on September 19, 2024.

I won't lie: I was disappointed — at my industry, peers, even some graduates who vanished after receiving help. But Then...

February 17, 2025
A message from a grateful dad, thanking me for believing in and helping his daughter, Lola get a job at one of London’s hottest creative agencies.

April 15, 2025
A Linkedin DM from a former graduate, now thriving four years later, because of a connection I helped her with back in 2020.

I’m not religious. I lean towards karma and Buddhism (badly, but I try). As my late friend Simon Gill said: "Hard on the work, kind to the people."

I created ShoutOutToHelpOut to give, not receive. While some disappeared, the gratitude from a few reminds me that real impact isn’t about applause or platitudes.

Those messages reignited something in me — maybe it’s time for ShoutOutToHelpOut 2.0.

Because kindness, connection, and a little belief still have the power to change everything.

You’re welcome.

Steve Price is senior creative director at 9Rooftops in London, UK.