With acclaimed success in commercials, short films & fashion campaigns, it was in 2015 he developed, directed & co-produced 'The Viral Experiment'. A series of 8 videos that fooled the world & mainstream media, all whilst garnering over 280 million views. A feat that was later recognized by 'D&AD'. Awarding him the prestigious 2016 'One Show Gold Pencil' award.

By late 2017 Richard stepped away from his business, in pursuit of his dream; Writing & Directing feature films. Harnessing everything he'd learned over the last decade, Hughes shifted his life to the remote foothills of Bali, Indonesia. It's here Hughes spent the next 3 months penning his feature script titled 'PUNK'. A script that would later be picked up by highly successful producers Braden Aftergood & Brian Kavanaugh Jones (Automatik).