Instead of merely guiding you through a neighborhood, what if an audio tour could transport you though time, and make you feel as if you were actually there at some of history’s most memorable events, hearing from fascinating characters in their own words? TellBetter tours are written and produced by Tom Darbyshire, a published author and Emmy-nominated storyteller, who uses actors, sound effects, music, and dramatic dialogue to create powerful “theater of the mind.” True tales of love, loss, laughter, treachery, tears and triumph.
Tom spent decades working in New York City as Executive Creative director of BBDO, the world’s most award-winning advertising agency. His work – including Super Bowl commercials and TV spots with celebrities like Muhammad Ali, Cindy Crawford, Alec Baldwin, Shaq, and Mikhail Gorbachev – scored trophies in all the major creative competitions: Cannes Lion, Clio, Addy, Art Director’s Club, One Show, D&AD, London International Festival Obie, Webby and more. Tom learned to craft captivating stories in short time frames; now he brings those storytelling and broadcast production skills to the world of audio tours.
Maybe that’s why his tours rank in VoiceMap’s Top 10 for downloads, sales and followers.
At TellBetter tours, we tell better stories.
Dozens of gold, silver and bronze awards for creative excellence from the major national and international advertising awards: Emmy Awards, Effies, Clio Awards, One Show, Addy Awards, Art Directors Club, Cannes Lions, London International Festival, Obie Awards, Webby Awards, D&AD.
Expert commentary on Super Bowl advertising for KPCW's Mountain Money (2023, 2024, 2025)
Creative director and copywriter for the internationally acclaimed 1998 Pizza Hut commercial with Mikhail Gorbachev, featured in BBC and Financial Times
If Wishes Were Porsches, and Other Nursery Rhymes for Modern Times
, book co-authored with Stefan Underhill, Cassel, 1988
If Wishes Were Saabs, and Other Nursery Rhymes for Modern Times
, book co-authored with Stefan Underhill, Little, Brown, 1986
Who Grew My Soup
, book illustrated by C. F. Payne, Publications International, 2010
Bachelor of Science Architecture; University of Virginia; 1982