Best Startup
At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United Kingdom based President operating in the Advertising space. If you think a President is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Asit Mehra
Executive Vice President of Omnicom Group
Asit is responsible for growing some of Omnicom’s key client relationships. He is tasked with developing and delivering bespoke “Screen to Shelf” solutions for clients that leverage the scale and creativity of Omnicom’s individual agencies, creating new, more effective ways of engaging with large global clients and ultimately their consumers. Asit has been with Omnicom for almost nine years, before which he spent 18 years at the Interpublic Group, where he held a variety of roles, ranging from running large multinational businesses, regions and offices. Asit is a true citizen of the world, having grown up and worked on both sides of the Atlantic and Asia.
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About Omnicom Group: Omnicom Group provides advertising and marketing communications services for their clients.
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Blair Robertson
Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of TVSquared
Blair is a seasoned data scientist and visualization guru with a background in Artificial Intelligence. He has spent the past 13 years helping global companies improve decision-making and product development through the application of analytics. As TVSquared’s CTO, Blair is an expert in a range of statistical techniques such as data modeling, signal processing and machine learning, which he and his team deploy to continually improve the company’s technology platform. Throughout his career, Blair has focused on presenting complex technical concepts in an easy-to-consume, business-friendly way and has a reputation for designing analytic products that are highly visual and intuitive. Previous engagements have included time as principal analyst at Sumerian, where he led analytic engagements with dozens of the world’s largest companies. Blair has also acted as a private consultant for a wide-variety of data-driven companies in financial services, utilities and hi-tech, and as a financial technology consultant with Accenture Plc.
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About TVSquared: TVSquared is the global leader in TV attribution.
Stephen Dunbar-Johnson
President, International of The New York Times
Stephen Dunbar-Johnson is the President, International of The New York Times Company.
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About The New York Times: The New York Times creates, collects, and distributes news, information, and entertainment through a daily newspaper and a website.
Alistair Richards
Global President of Guinness World Records
Alistair holds global responsibility for every aspect of the Guinness World Records brand. His impressive 30 year career in business management for global FMCG and entertainment brands has included senior positions at Colgate-Palmolive, the $16bn global leader in health and beauty, and Hasbro, the $4bn global toys and game company. Under his leadership Guinness World Records has diversified its brand offering, expanded its global reach and relevance, while maintaining a market-leading position through continued innovation.
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About Guinness World Records: Guinness World Records is the universally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement.
Nadine Causey
Senior Vice President of EMEA & APAC of Guinness World Records
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About Guinness World Records, Guinness World Records: Guinness World Records is the universally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement.
James Prudhomme
Executive Vice President, International of Index Exchange
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About Index Exchange: Index Exchange is an exchange technology, enabling digital publishers and suppliers to sell ad impressions programmatically and in realtime.
Simon Jaffery-Reed
Vice-President of Product of Qubit
Simon joined Qubit as its first external hire during the company’s research and development phase. He was initially responsible for product innovation and developing analysis techniques that lead the way in conversion optimisation. After working on each of its core products across the platform, he is now responsible for leading product strategy across its entire product suite as Group Product Manager.
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About Qubit: Qubit specializes in personalization at scale for e-commerce companies.
Kimberley Wood
Vice-President of Customer Affairs of Qubit
Proven international Professional Services leader in the SasS space with strong cross functional Customer Success experience, specialising in Social, Digital and CRM. Results focussed change agent that thrives in fast moving, innovative environments with track record in building and growing Global Professional Services Teams. A revenue generating leader with a true passion for creating and executing upon a Customer Success strategy
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About Qubit: Qubit specializes in personalization at scale for e-commerce companies.
Julian Pullan
Vice Chairman & President International of Jack Morton Worldwide
Julian joined Jack Morton in 2002 as director of operations in London and became managing director in 2005. He joined the Global Executive Team in 2009, became President, EMEA in 2011 and was appointed President, International in 2015. Under his leadership, the International operation has grown significantly in size and reputation, including the foundation of Jack offices in Dubai, Germany, and South Korea. Today, Julian is Vice Chairman of Jack Morton Worldwide, stewarding the creative quality and output of the agency in addition to his continued leadership of the agency outside of the US. In his 30 years in the industry, Julian has led major communications campaigns and projects for most of the world’s leading brands. Julian remains a passionate creative at heart, winning many creative awards during his accomplished career. Teams under his leadership have earned over 500 awards, including well over 100 in just the last 2 years. He has served as a member of the board of the International Visual Communications Association, is a regular commentator within the industry trade press and event circuit and is a member of the Superbrands Council.
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About Jack Morton Worldwide: Jack Morton Worldwide is an American multinational brand experience agency.
Justin Barrett
Vice President EMEA of Brightcove
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About Brightcove, Brightcove: Brightcove is video that means business, helping customers experience the incredible potential of video.
Danvers Baillieu
President of InfoSum
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About InfoSum, VerifyMyAge: InfoSum provides a decentralized platform designed to remove the trust barriers between progress and privacy.
Oli Marlow-Thomas
Founder & President of Ad-Lib.io
Founder & President of Ad-Lib.
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About Ad-Lib.io: Powering Creative Effectiveness
Jean-Christophe Gombeaud
Senior Vice President Marketing of Connexity
Jean-Christophe Gombeaud is Senior Director, EMEA B2B Marketing Director for Yahoo. He has 20 years of experience in Marketing for the Media and Tech Industries both on the Sales and Publishing sides. Before joining Yahoo in 2009 he worked for magazine publishers in France: Marketing Director for Groupe Express Roularta (leading publishers for news, business and lifestyles magazines in France), Marketing Director for the women magazines division of Emap France (Women magazines), Marketing and Research for Groupe Expansion (Business magazines).
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About Connexity, Skimlinks: Connexity is a digital advertising company that works with merchants to determine which product offerings to put on publishers’ websites.
Mark Lund
President of McCann Worldgroup
Mark Lund OBE joined McCann Worldgroup as President in 2014.
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About McCann Worldgroup, The Advertising Standards Board Of Finance (ASBOF): McCann is a global agency network that delivers strategic marketing solutions, advertising agency models, and advertising campaigns.
Alex Stil
President GroupM Services EMEA of GroupM
Prior to becoming President [m][PLATFORM EMEA I was CCO at GroupM Connect where I was commercially responsible for all real-time media management activity in the group. Before that I was leading digital in the EMEA region at Mindshare combined with leading programmatic media globally. I started my career at GroupM in 2008 as COO Mindshare Netherlands. Prior to joining Mindshare, I was CEO and co-founder of Reddion, the first online media agency in Europe, which was sold to WPP in 2007. With Reddion Alex worked for clients to develop their digital knowledge and assets and was overall responsible for all their digital campaigns. Quote: ‘can’t make everybody happy, you are not sushi‘ Passion for: Gadgets, Wildlife in Africa, Digital and my family.
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About GroupM: Global media investment management company for WPP’s media agencies including Mindshare, MediaCom, Wavemaker, Essence, m/SIX and Xaxis
Lucia Mastromauro
Vice President, Global Head of Client Partnerships of Adform
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About Adform: Making display advertising simple, relevant, rewarding for advertisers, agencies and publishers
Julian Douglas
President of Institute of Practitioners in Advertising
Dougie (as he is known by everyone except his parents) began his advertising career at WCRS. His first accounts were for Bass Brewers Ltd and The National Lottery, so his advertising apprenticeship involved alcohol and gambling from day one, both of which would set him in good stead for his time at VCCP. Over the next ten years, Dougie worked at BBH, TBWA and Grey, creating iconic and memorable campaigns for some of the world’s biggest brands. His client list has included Levi’s, Audi, Lynx, Nokia, News International, Avis and Manchester City Football Club. Dougie joined VCCP in 2008 and spent five years leading the O2 Telefonica account, building campaigns that blur the line between advertising and entertainment. Dougie is a founder of Lucky Voice Private Karaoke, and that is where is he is most likely to be found outside working hours. He is also a staunch Man City fan. Dougie graduated from Jesus College, Oxford with a Desmond and a full Oxford Blue.
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About Institute of Practitioners in Advertising, VCCP Group: The IPA is the professional body for advertising, media and marketing communications agencies in the United Kingdom.
Mark Curtis
President of enter:marketing
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About Accenture Interactive, enter:marketing, Fjord: Entermarketing is a marketing consultant for SMEs, start-up business, recruitment, sales force, marketing actions and strategies.
Bernard Periatambee
Vice President of Factual Development of Frantic Films
For the last sixteen years, Bernard has developed and produced numerous hit formats over a wide range of genres, from long running lifestyle brands and factual series to quirky reality formats, high volume studio talk shows and arts films. His credits include, Cash in the Attic, Natural Born Dealers, Built From Disaster, The Ugly Face of Beauty, The Farm of Fussy Eaters, among many. Since relocating to Toronto, he has been an important force in the development of successful series including, Still Standing (CBC), Buy It, Fix It, Sell It (HGTV), Anything But Average and Blood and Gold (Discovery).
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About Frantic Films: Frantic Films Canadian branded content and live action production company.
Sam Yardley
Executive Vice President, North America of Two Circles
Since joining Two Circles, Sam has led a number of projects for professional clubs and governing bodies, both in the UK and increasingly internationally, helping them grow commercial revenue across ticketing, membership, retail and hospitality. Sam has fused his passion for sport with his background as a strategy consultant at Accenture, where he worked with a range of multinational companies, government ministries, and start-ups, and learnt how to make a mean spreadsheet. Sam definitely makes a better fist of watching sport than participating in it. Recent career highlights include the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, the Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, and finally seeing England beat a southern hemisphere side at Twickenham. Just don’t mention the last Ashes tour.
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About Two Circles, Two Circles: Two Circles is a sports marketing agency based in London.
Dom Blacklock
Vice President Programmatic, International of Active International
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About Active International: Active International provides support services for businesses in utilizing organizational assets.
Magnus Djaba
Global President of Saatchi & Saatchi (Advertising Co.)
Magnus Djaba is the Global President of Saatchi & Saatchi.
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About Saatchi & Saatchi (Advertising Co.): Saatchi & Saatchi is a global creative communications company headquartered in New York with 130 offices in 70 countries.
Nikki Mendonca
President of OMD
Nikki Mendonca is the EMEA President of OMD Group, the largest and most awarded marketing communications company in the world. She presides over 4,300 employees, across 60+ offices in 56 markets and oversees over $17.1 billion in marketing investment from leading world class companies like McDonald’s, PepsiCo, Estee Lauder and The Walt Disney Company. Under her leadership, OMD has won several Agency of the Year accolades including coming top of the Gunn Report for Media eight years in a row, which measures marketing innovation and most recently being named Media Agency Network of the Year 2013 by Adweek and Most Effective Global Network by the Effies Index 2013. Prior to joining OMD EMEA in 2002, Nikki ran the Strategic Marketing Division at Capital Radio Plc, responsible for the commercial research and marketing of all 19 radio stations owned by the group, helping to drive an annual turnover of $190m. Previous to that she worked at Leo Burnett UK running the $150m+ media divisions of Procter and Gamble, Kellogg’s and Grand Met and at CIA Media Network trading TV airtime for Kraft and Wrigley’s. She is a fierce champion of a mobile first approach to marketing communications and sits on the Advisory Boards of Adweek Europe and Webit Congress.
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About OMD: OMD is a media communications agency committed to delivering sharper insights, smarter ideas and stronger results.
Philip Davies
President EMEA of Siegel & Gale
Philip Davies is a President EMEA at Siegel & Gale.
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About Siegel & Gale: Siegel+Gale is a global brand strategy, design and experience firm. Using facts, intuition and creativity,
Sarafina Wolde Gabriel
Vice President of Strategy & Opearations of Lee-Ann Johnstone
Sarafina oversees the development of the Income Access brand. She is passionate about digital marketing and building relationships, and when she’s not consulting with our clients and affiliates, she enjoys laughing, travelling and running. She’s also a big fan of Arsenal FC, and you’ll never find her without music.
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About Lee-Ann Johnstone: A digital and affiliate marketing consultancy specialising in Affiliate Marketing Training, affiliate program management and marketing.
Vincent Boni
MD Newsquest Dorset, Hampshire, Cornwall, Salisbury, Chairman of NQ Pension Fund, President DCCI of LOCALiQ
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About LOCALiQ: LOCALiQ is a local businesses provide navigate the complexities of modern digital marketing.
David Jowett
President of DAC Group
David oversees operations and portfolio strategy for DAC Group in Europe, focusing on DAC’s recent acquisition of Make It Rain and exploring new market opportunities for DAC Group. His significant expertise drives our geo-local digital offering, local brand management capabilities and strategic growth mandate within the UK and into European markets. David has more than 20 years of agency leadership experience in both mature and developing markets, and a high level of understanding and expertise in new market introduction and expansion strategies. In other words, he’s our trailblazer; our standard-bearer; our rhinestone cowboy, riding out on a horse in a star-spangled rodeo…
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About DAC Group: DAC drives transformational growth with integrated, data-driven solutions by combining digital media expertise to engage customers.
Damian Blackden
Global President of GroupM
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About GroupM: We’re shaping the next era of media where advertising works better for people.
Damien Savage
Regional Vice President US of Kainos WorkSmart
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About Kainos WorkSmart: Kainos WorkSmart is a leading provider of digital services and platforms.
Enrico Brosio
Co-founder & President of MarketOne
Brosio has led MarketOne’s London-based European operation since its inception in 2002. He has taken a lead role in developing MarketOne’s lead lifecycle management practice, and is actively involved with the professional marketing community across Europe. Brosio began his career with Deloitte Consulting where he defined business strategies and implemented operational improvement programs for global 500 clients. He then moved to France where he co-founded Gaiatel/Faxnet, a telecom service reseller for Cable & Wireless. Brosio subsequently relocated to London where he worked as a financial analyst with Merrill Lynch and in corporate development with Level 3 Communications. In 2000 he co-founded Avondi, Europe’s first venture-backed trade exchange. Enrico earned his BA from Trinity College and his MBA from the Harvard Business School.
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About MarketOne: MarketOne is leading a new breed of integrated demand generation providers.
Luke D’Arcy
President of Momentum
Luke D’Arcy is the president at Momentum Worldwide.
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About Momentum: Momentum are the Total Brand Experience agency.
Benjamin Hansz
Vice President of Simplaex
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About Simplaex: Simplaex is the company behind the world’s most advanced artificial intelligence-powered user targeting technology.
Annalise Coady
President of W2O Group
Annalise is a global senior marketing communications strategist and business leader with over twenty years of experience in the technology, consumer, financial services, healthcare and B2B sectors. She has led numerous global and regional campaigns; helping clients launch businesses and products, move into new markets and geographies and drive revenue; and providing strategic counsel to top industry executives. Annalise is currently the President for Twist Mktg, an integrated marketing communications company, part of the W2O Group network, as well as the Global Practice Leader for W2O Group.Previously, Annalise spent eight years at Fleishman-Hillard where her most recent role was based in Canada as the interim President of FH owned digital and communications life style agency High Road Communications. She has also led the FH Middle East and North Africa business from Dubai, been General Manager of the San Francisco office and led the UK and EMEA Technology Practice. She held leadership roles in the US, UK, Canada, Middle East and North Africa.
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About Real Chemistry, W2O Group: W2O Group is a holding company operates three marketing and communications firms.
