Gerry Magee

Yesterday’s event in partnership with Technology Holdings went so much better than we could have hoped for. We welcomed over 30 UK independent agency owners and founders to discuss strategies to balance growth, purpose and exit value over breakfast in the charming setting of The Union Club. Purpose was the word of the day (no surprises, AI got mentioned too). Our panel of expert speakers offered invaluable insights that gave everyone much to take back with them and think about. Some of the conversations included: Stephen Woodford, Chief Executive of the Advertising Association and a founder of Ad Net Zero, talking about how critical it is, as an over stretched agency leader, to share the purpose task and remember your agency team are part of the gang. So, get them involved in the journey too. Fleur Hicks FRSA, Former CEO of onefourzero, who successfully sold her consultancy to Next 15, reminded the room that when thinking about your purpose, what are you there for? Why are you doing what you are doing? This then needs to be the golden thread that runs through everything, from your values to hiring. Don’t forget the 80/10/10 rule! Bruce Robert Green, Director at Technology Holdings, reflected on the fact that sustainable growth will drive options - purposeful growth is increasingly attractive to potential acquirers; and that it is ok to work with a growth partner to get you to that next stage. Ben Rudman, Executive Director at MSQ emphasised the importance of what you want to get out of your business in the next 5 years, whether this is a financial exit or other. And don’t forget, the biggest growth problem is scalability. Implementing effective systems and processes is crucial for scalable growth. And our Managing Partner, Dan Egerton, chatted about the importance of rethinking the relationship between business and society; consider all stakeholders and communities, not just the shareholders. Balancing profit with purpose can significantly increase your agency’s value. See Coffee & TV as a great case study. In summary? Make sure you weave together purpose, commerciality and operations to ensure you are in a position of sustainable growth. This purpose alignment is now actively sought out from those who want to invest. Becoming a B Corp not only provides the framework for a purpose-driven business, it also demonstrates that you’re a rigorous, well run business too. Purpose can’t be for the sake of purpose. So, know what your end goal is – at Actus Consulting, we call it your dream with a plan. The panel were also all united in saying that it doesn't matter where you start; there is no beginning or end. Just get stuck in, making one difference at a time. The last words go to Stephen: “Be more peacock!” 🦚- if you were there, you know! Many thanks to our curious and attentive guests and our wonderful co-hosts Technology Holdings in creating an Event that was both reflective and energetic.

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Have you heard? The Future of Media has arrived in Manchester! Our flagship conference, The Future of Media, has now arrived in Manchester, extending the conversation dedicated to commercial media to the dynamic media communities of northern England and Scotland. The Future of Media Manchester will feature top-tier delegates and speakers from all corners of the industry, offering valuable insights into evolving media business models and market opportunities. Expect over 400 media leaders and rising stars who will provide insights into best practices in commercial media buying, selling, and planning. Join us as we engage, discuss, and celebrate the dynamic media industry with a fresh audience who are shaping the evolving landscape of media transactions. We'll pave the way for a new era in the industry; bring forth the most crucial dialogues in commercial media from across the UK and bridge the gap between buyers and sellers. Every facet of the ecosystem will be represented and heard at the same time. THIS IS THE FUTURE OF MEDIA. Register now! (Registration link in the comments). #FOMM

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🎧 Catch up with the latest episode of Visible Success - the SME growth podcast 👉 https://hubs.li/Q02DzNGB0 In this episode, we're exploring the secrets of market-leading customer retention and referral rates (+ more). Garry Davies, MD at McClarrons Ltd discusses how the SME has grown, the key elements of their success, what drives their excellent retention rates, and why so much of their business comes from referrals. Have a listen to the full episode 👉 https://hubs.li/Q02DzNGB0 #SME #BusinessStrategy #Podcast #BusinessPodcast

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We are so pleased to be launching the 2024 Awards for Marketing Effectiveness this week (check out the website here https://lnkd.in/exWJb8Tr, with a number of new categories. Including:   ⭐ Most Effective Earned Media Strategy  ⭐ Most Effective Customer Event  ⭐ Most Effective Implementation of Consumer Duty  ⭐ Most Effective Customer Strategy  And of course, there are still the classic categories available, including:   ⭐ Most Effective Brand Strategy ⭐ Most Effective Content Marketing Strategy ⭐ Most Effective Global Campaign ⭐ Most Effective Integrated Campaign (B2B) ⭐ Most Effective Integrated Campaign (B2C) ⭐ Most Effective Use of Personalisation ⭐ Most Effective Sustainable Product Campaign ⭐ Most Effective Use of a Small Budget (< £100k expenditure) ⭐ Most Effective Use of Social Media ⭐ Agency of the Year ⭐ Marketer of the Year ⭐ Young Marketer of the Year   We'll be running a special deal this year*. Your first entry is at a cost of £300 + VAT, but every entry thereafter will be at a cost of £250 + VAT.    ***The deadline for entries is Friday 12 July 2024 at 5pm***   If you'd like a draft entry form to help you and your team create an entry and share feedback, please fill out this form here https://lnkd.in/eJYyBiwB and I will send one over to you.     *This excludes Agency of the Year, at a cost of £350 + VAT even if included with other entries

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Whistl Doordrop Media MD, Mark Davies, has once again been hitting the airwaves to reflect on the shifting marketing landscape and renewed interest in printed media. What do marketers need to know about utilising door drops and how can previously digital-only companies leverage the power of print in their marketing mix? Check out Mark's interview with our partners at Two Sides UK. ⬇️ #advertising #print #doordrop

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The Resurgence of Print Advertising in 2024 In a recent insightful interview, Ian H Bates, Marketing and Partnership Director for Two Sides, sat down with Mark Davies, Managing Director of Whistl UK Ltd and President of ELMA (the European Letterbox Marketing Association), to discuss the evolving role of printbased advertising and leaflet distribution in 2024. The Power of Reach: Mark emphasized Whistl’s extensive reach, connecting with 160 million households across Europe, including 30 million in the UK. Print media's ability to maintain such a vast reach, often surpassing television and the internet, highlights its enduring value. Navigating Challenges: The conversation turned to the challenges faced by the industry, from global economic downturns to budget cuts. Despite these hurdles, the recovery phase has seen a renewed interest in print advertising. Educating marketers, particularly those inexperienced with print, is crucial. Simplifying the process to make print campaigns as easy to book as digital ones is a key focus. Renewed Interest in Print: The shift towards digital marketing has dominated recent years. However, privacy concerns and changes in data policies have led marketers to explore alternative strategies. Trust in print media is resurging as it offers transparency and reliability, unlike the often opaque digital advertising landscape. Measuring Impact and Sustainability: Advancements in tracking and measuring the impact of print media have made it more appealing. Using postcode data, the effectiveness of campaigns can now be precisely tracked. Additionally, print media offers a sustainable alternative to digital advertising, whose environmental impact often remains hidden. Innovations in digital printing have further enhanced the efficiency and personalization of print campaigns. ➡️ A Media Channel with a Promising Future Mark and Ian’s discussion highlighted the resilient and evolving nature of print advertising. With its extensive reach, trustworthiness, and sustainable advantages, local print media continues to be a powerful tool in the marketing mix for 2024 and beyond. 🌟 The future of print advertising is bright, promising enhanced engagement and a blend of traditional and modern strategies to meet the dynamic needs of today’s market.

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Introducing the New MarTech Membership Bundle ⚡ Explore the complete MarTech Membership Bundle packed with a range of content designed for individuals and teams looking to drive their MarTech, marketing ops, tech and performance. This includes TWO certified courses, THREE key workshops, and a wealth of additional LXA Intelligence tools, reports and guides designed to enhance your marketing capabilities and performance. 👇 Download the brochure https://hubs.ly/Q02BH2MM0 🎓 Certificate: Marketing Technology (MarTech) Uncover valuable insight around auditing your MarTech maturity and developing your marketing tech strategy with impact. 🎓 Certificate: Marketing Operations Elevate, refresh and formalise your marketing operations knowledge and skills to drive your company and career. ⚙️ Customer Data Platforms (CDP) Workshop Dive deep into the world of customer data platforms, exploring their pivotal role in a contemporary marketing stack and their significance in fostering customer-centric, data-driven marketing strategies and enhanced customer experiences. ⚙️ Digital Asset Management (DAM) Workshop  Discover its transformative impact on marketing activity and customer experience, driving efficiency and innovation in asset utilisation. ⚙️ AI Enabled Marketing Workshop  Unpack how to build and embed an AI-enabled approach to marketing excellence. 📖 Reports, Best Practice Guides and Resources Stay ahead of MarTech trends with access to LXA Intelligence Reports and Best Practice Guides. Elevate your status as a thought leader in the martech and marketing ops space with invitations to contribute to the annual state of martech report and opportunities to contribute monthly article submissions. A lot we know, that's why with this course you will have 12 months access to all content. Learn more https://hubs.ly/Q02BH2MM0 hashtag#KeepUpgrading hashtag#MarTech hashtag#MarketingTechnology hashtag#MarketingOperations

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Our latest report exposes third-party marketing websites' deliberate targeting of self-excluded players. The data reveals a significant issue in the UK, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and better protection for vulnerable individuals. Want to know more about the types of marketing infractions in the UK? The full report dives deep into this pressing issue and much more. Click to read the full report and stay informed! 🚨https://lnkd.in/ex23jaXD #marketingcompliance #igamingregulation #compliance

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Marketers often have to find ways to balance content that addresses multiple audiences. How do you speak to one audience without accidentally alienating the other? This is something Christopher Betton ACIM, Marketing Manager for HIPER Global UK, faces on the regular. Listen to the thoughts Chris shares with our host Richard Lane on this and more in our latest episode of The Insiders Podcast here: https://lnkd.in/eEXS-MRJ #TheInsidersPodcast #Marketing #B2BMarketing

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It's always worth re-examining the #BTL market from time to time. As always, this corner of the market has its naysayers, but our blog breaks down: 👍 The positives aspects of the BTL scene 🤔 How the challenges out there aren't insurmountable 📊 The outlook for the market Get our views here 👇 https://hubs.li/Q02zPKXy0

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The advertising industry is central to the success of the self-regulatory system; as part of that, CAP receives valuable support from three industry panels. Find out more about the expert Panels that support the ASA and CAP with their regulatory decision-making here - https://lnkd.in/dXtb86v

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Get ahead of traditional media advertising strategies by finding out why sport podcast advertising is the right route for your business. All explained in our brand new white paper, available here: https://lnkd.in/eDFpha3j

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🎯 Repositioning Stand from agency to consultancy was a natural evolution for us. A better reflection of the work we do and a step in challenging the ‘box’ some prospects and clients can put comms into 📦    🤝 We have tackled business as well as comms challenges since day one, and some of those clients are still with us 12 years on. By guiding them through the ups and downs, they have disrupted markets that have been dominated by a few names for too long and changed hearts and minds on important issues.   This approach involves deep collaboration and strategic insight as a consultant, not an agent and is one of the reasons why clients take us with them when they move and 100% would recommend us 🫶    Read more about our brand’s evolution here 👉 https://lnkd.in/ep9UJDAU #Stand #Consultancy

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🎙️ Finding the right spokesperson at short notice is a challenge many brands face, often hindering their ability to respond swiftly to media enquiries and secure key coverage. Our blog explores how partnering with the right PR agency can be a game-changer, ensuring your brand always has access to knowledgeable and articulate spokespersons aligned with your messaging goals. Stay ahead in the media landscape by ensuring your brand remains responsive and competitive. Read more about strategic solutions to spokesperson challenges on our blog: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e-7DcerV #PRStrategy #MediaRelations #BrandVisibility

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25 years after the popularisation of electronic mail, physical paper mailing hasn’t gone away. Today, we are at a critical juncture for direct mail and customer communications that is driven by a combination of factors such as technological advancements, evolving consumer behaviours and regulatory changes. In our latest blog, we share the key points that encapsulate these trends.  Also, our new Digital-to-Print eBook can be accessed via the link at the end of the blog! #Which50 #CustomerMinds #memberengagement #communications #print #automation #customerexperience #directmail https://lnkd.in/ew_t5bHR

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Our recent report uncovered key gaps in business & marketing planning within the SME sector. As part of our Marketing Insights series, we address those challenges. Marketing Director Christine Moses champions the importance of assembling the right marketing team. https://bit.ly/3zlZgj2 #MarketingInsights #SMEMarketing #MarketingTeam #BusinessPlanning

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📢 There is only one week to go until our digital PR webinar - join us on Tuesday, 4th June at 12 PM BST, as we explain why #digitalpr is a game-changer for driving more links, traffic and sales to your business online. Registration is completely free - sign up using the link below 👇  https://hubs.li/Q02y4mhm0 #linkbuilding #seo #backlinks

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Here are some crucial elements you need to consider to maximise the effectiveness of your direct response. If you want to find out more, listen to the full episode below: https://lnkd.in/em-46Vnj #directresponse #tv #advertising #mediaagency #tvagency #drtv #audience #insights

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