I started my marketing career as soon as I worked out products mean something more than the promise of whatever they do for us. I realised we place a great deal of trust in some brands, and develop an intangible and strong emotional bond to things that are shaped by our world view. OK, I didn’t know what a world view was at age 12, but I knew the difference between being seen in Alan Fearnley’s record shop in MIddlesbrough (The home of the cool) and Clarks (Where you get your school shoes from)!

It was much later, after leaving the Army that I understood the intimate relationship between a brand and its consumer. During my time at KP Foods I was lucky enough to have worked across a number of crisp and snack brands but predominately Disco, Frisps and Roysters (If you’re from the UK, when you were a kid, you’ll have eaten one of these products). Through simply being in the right place at the right time, and being the only person in the marketing team with a dial-up internet connection, I was made responsible for moving crisp brands online in 1997. This opened up a new world to me, and it was digital.

I began working agency side, initially with Leighton Media based in Sunderland where I was responsible for delivering a number of public and private sector digital marketing projects before heading up their small business
solutions team. I worked on a number of digital territories for brands such as The Millennium Commission and Pretty Polly amongst others.

Subsequently I joined Calm Asylum based in Middlesbrough, where I worked predominately with start ups, including online businesses, developing and delivering their brands as Creative Director within the business.

Last year I started my own company, Better Brand Agency with partners Mark Easby and Peter Jones and have continued to work with public and private sector organisations helping them gain fresh customer insight and develop their brands.

Social Media is an area I’m extremely active in. I write articles and presentations regarding the future of brands, corporate customer responsibilities in relation to marketing practice and implementing a social media strategies. I’m a NLP Practitioner, something which has helped me understand why people think the way they do which feeds directly into my work with brands and brand owners.

I have a strong sense of indebtedness to the people who have helped me along the way, who believed in me and gave me support. It is my duty to them to ensure I help as many people as I can on their journey.

My special areas of interest include – Brand communication, brand experience, strategic marketing planning and delivery, Web 2.0, developing social brands and social businesses, writing, pitching, creative innovation, think and brand/consumer insight.