Nick Hancock was the founder and senior producer of Active Pictures, which produced commercials for clients including Brainstorm Toys and LeapFrog. 

Toy World is saddened to share the news that Nick Hancock, the founder and senior producer of Active Pictures, has passed away.

Jo Dickinson, post production manager at Active Pictures and a good friend of Nick’s, writes that after a long battle with cancer, Nick died peacefully in his home, surrounded by his family, on Sunday 17th September. He leaves his wife Sarah, two daughters, Becca and Abbie, and his two dogs.

Information on the date and place of Nick’s funeral will be available in the comings days, for those who would like to attend. In advance of the ceremony, readers are invited to share photos and memories of Nick. His friends and family is hoping to put together a compilation of memories to play over a drink or two later that day – these can be sent to jo@activepictures.co.uk.

Jo said: “Nick started Active Pictures 23 years ago. He was incredibly hard working and very proud of what the business became. In this time, he collated a team of likeminded people who work together like a family, and he formed longstanding personal relationships with colleagues and clients alike. Since he started Active Pictures, Nick made close to 6,000 commercials, employed hundreds of freelancers, and has shouldered all of us in our progressing careers. We will miss his strength and support, unwavering optimism and positivity, his laughter, and his way of bringing everyone together.”

Nick Saunders, Sales & Marketing director and co-managing director at Brainstorm Toys, told Toy World he was introduced to Nick Hancock by another media stalwart, Jeff Taylor. With the assistance of both men, Brainstorm was able to make its first tentative steps into consumer advertising well over 10 years ago.

He said: “I am a proud northerner, so with Nick living in Harrogate and keeping offices in Leeds, Active Pictures was the perfect solution for our creative needs. Since then, Active has managed all our creative work, full production, compliance, post-production editing and distribution. I am sure that Nick will be a recognisable name to the marketeers in our industry as he has completed numerous projects for many toy companies.”

He added: “We liked to set Nick and Active Pictures a challenge. In 2022, the team completed a shoot at a studio in Leeds, producing three commercials in one day. Nick had assembled an amazing team of people whom he kept motivated throughout a very long day. The cast and crew were superb, with set, lighting and costume changes from one advert to the next. There was a general feel of friendship and respect amongst his team, which I love in any working environment.”

These sentiments are reflected by Jo Dickinson’s own memories of Nick. She writes: “Nick always championed doing the best job he could for everyone involved. All of us here in the Active Pictures team want to stress that we are looking to the future and are proudly going to continue with the business alongside our loyal clients, as we have been doing on Nick’s behalf for the last year. We feel honoured to keep Active Pictures, Nick’s pride and joy, growing.”

Toy World would like to extend its condolences to all Nick’s family, friends and colleagues at this time.