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 Director operating in the Brand Marketing space. If you think a Director 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.
Gunseli Cakici
Purchases Director – Europe Packaging & Contact Manufacturing of Procter & Gamble Company
Gunseli Cakici is the Purchases Director – Europe Packaging & Contact Manufacturing at Procter & Gamble.
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About Procter & Gamble Company: Procter & Gamble Company offers variety of consumer goods products.
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Stuart Hennell
Co-Founder & Managing Director of Watchfinder
Stuart Hennell is a Co-Founder & Managing Director at Watchfinder • Stuart spent 6 years working on various Major UK and European Projects in the Civil Engineering Industry • He has lots of experience negotiating and developing supplier/client relationships both inside and outside of the UK as well as strong leadership skills and have used them to build a strong and successful team at Watchfinder • Stuart goal is to build Watchfinder into a worldwide brand and a byword for quality products delivered with the highest standards of customer service • Stuart studied Engineering Geology & Geotechnics at University of Portsmouth
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About Watchfinder: Watchfinder is the world’s leading retailer of pre-owned watches
Alex Rigby
Creative Director of Playdemic
Alex is focused on making sure the company produces the best-looking, most fun and highly innovative social entertainment apps in the world.
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About Playdemic: Playdemic is a gaming company that develops social games for mass market audiences.
Paul de la Nougerede
Senior Director, Publisher Operations of The Ozone Project
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About The Ozone Project: The Ozone Project is a transparent and brand-safe platform offering advertisers direct access to an audience for programmatic advertising.
Josh Reading
Managing Director of Mobius Media Ltd
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About Mobius Media Ltd, Mobius Media Ltd, Mobius Media Ltd: Mobius Media are a full service web development and digital marketing agency
Christopher Hogg
Global Head of Platform Sales at Lotame
Chris Hogg leads Lotame’s EMEA operations where he is responsible for maintaining and increasing existing business and overseeing new customer acquisition. Chris has more than 17 years of experience in digital ad technology and operations for Independent News and Media, France Telecom – Wanadoo / Orange UK and Unanimis. Chris has held senior management roles for the last 9 years, successfully recruiting, training and leading large teams to deliver commercial results.
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About Lotame: Lotame is the leading provider of data enrichment solutions for global enterprises.
Alexander Dale
Client Director of Oystercatchers
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About Oystercatchers: Oystercatchers are accelerating marketing performance; provide a wide range of specialist consulting services.
David Kershaw
Co-Founder ,CEO & Exec Director of M&C Saatchi
David Kershaw is a founding director of M&C Saatchi. He joined Saatchi & Saatchi in 1982 after obtaining an MBA at London Business School. He became managing director in 1990 and was made chairman and chief executive of the UK agency in 1994.
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About M&C Saatchi: M&C Saatchi Group is a creative company that connects specialist expertise, fuelled by data and technology.
Emilio Vacca
Director Mobile Channel of Telegraph Media Group
Emilio, has seen the world of technology changing multiple times over the years. As an expert in the mobile applications arena, he is constantly asking himself “what’s next”. A technology enthusiast, he has spent his 25 year career between design, technology and leadership roles and is an avid early adopter of new technologies. His unique blend of design and technology, developed working many years as a visual and interactive designer, as a software developer and architect for enterprise software and, later on, as a engineer and then manager for mobile applications, provided him unique advantages and vision; allowing him to move quickly between different technologies and sectors, from telecommunications to healthcare, from fashion to media. In the last 5 years Emilio has founded multiple startups in various industries (insurance, real estate, mobile services, social search services) and, as a startups mentor, he is now helping other companies grow.
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About Telegraph Media Group: Telegraph Media Group is a multi-media news publisher behind The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph newspapers.
Lee Buchanan
Co-founder & Operations Director of Miappi
Lee Buchanan joined Miappi as Co-founder and Operations Director in 2012.
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About Appismo, Miappi: Miappi helps brands to discover authentic consumer stories, manage the digital rights and to distribute to marketing channels and ecommerce.
Alistair Norman
Marketing Director of Tomorrow People
Alistair Norman Alistair is the Marketing Director at Tomorrow People, a UK-based inbound marketing agency. He has over than 15 years’ experience of accelerating growth through the use of organic investment, acquisition and marketing innovation for businesses in the UK, and specializes in B2B modern marketing practices.
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About Tomorrow People: Tomorrow People is an award winning content marketing agency based in Birmingham, UK.
Paul Archer
Founder and Managing Director of Duel
World Record-breaking Adventurer, Best-selling Author and founder of Duel. Aside from his expeditions and writing, he has spent his career building technology, including the Daredevil Project app development studio, and consulting for advertising agencies and tech companies. He founded Duel to democratise and decentralise marketing for brands. Duel is solving the lack of emotional connection and social proof in often clinical looking online stores by rewarding customers for creating visual testimonials and advocating among their friends, rather than wasting millions on advertising to drive sales. Before this Paul conceived and implemented the It’s on the Meter Expedition to drive to London taxi around the World. The expedition broke two Guinness World Records, raised over £20,000 and passed through 50 countries after driving 80,000 miles from London to London in Hannah, a 1992 London Taxi bought of eBay. Paul is also an experienced speaker, moderator and a conference host. Including TEDx, SXSW, Festival of Media, Cannes Lions, Social Media Week, GenerationE, the Content Marketing Institute and Retail.Tech, as well as guest lecturing at the British School of Fashion.
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About Duel: Brand Advocacy Platform that enables purpose-led brands to drive organic growth & retention through word-of-mouth & advocacy
Stuart Bell
Director of Carat
Stuart Bell is Operations Director at Carat.
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About Carat: Carat is a media agency that specializes in media planning and buying, and providing digital and non-traditional media solutions.
Grant Burke
Client Managing Director of Carat
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About Carat: Carat is a media agency that specializes in media planning and buying, and providing digital and non-traditional media solutions.
Vanessa Valian
Global Human Resources Director of FutureBrand
Vanessa is the Global HR Director for FutureBrand and also sits on the global management team of FutureBrand Worldwide. She is responsible for HR strategy, pro-actively shaping and evolving the corporate culture to meet the ever changing needs of the dynamic FutureBrand business. She brings a wealth of experience to the HR function having worked in the USA, Asia & Europe in small and large entrepreneurial environments. Most importantly, Vanessa strongly represents both FutureBrand’s culture and values. She has worked for a number of international brands over the years such as Levi Strauss & Co., StubHub, eBay Inc. & PayPal. Prior to joining FutureBrand, Vanessa managed all HR operations for 67 eBay entities in 20 countries. She is an Ohio University graduate with a degree in business. Vanessa has lived in 10 countries and travelled extensively around the globe. She loves the energy and diversity of London which she now considers home.
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About FutureBrand: FutureBrand seamlessly combines expertise in brand strategy, identity, digital, retail, environmental, product and service design.
Rachael Scott
Partner & Director of FutureBrand
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About FutureBrand: FutureBrand seamlessly combines expertise in brand strategy, identity, digital, retail, environmental, product and service design.
Maddy Nadin
Operations Director of The Sandpit
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About The Sandpit: Applying the Private Equity model to start-up acceleration.
Ben Cheston
Portfolio Growth Director of The Sandpit
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About The Sandpit: Applying the Private Equity model to start-up acceleration.
Ben Cheston
Portfolio Growth Director of The Sandpit
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About The Sandpit: Applying the Private Equity model to start-up acceleration.
Jemima Garthwaite
Director of This Here
Founder and Director of This Here, a data-driven creative agency and marketing technology startup. http://thishe.re
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About This Here: This Here build brands through the story-tellers of our generation, influencers.
Chris Liversidge
Director, CEO & Founder of QueryClick
Chris Liversidge is a Founder, CEO, and Director of QueryClick. With over 12 years of web development experience, Chris delivered his first web build projects on floppy disk. A big supporter of web standards and accessibility, search marketing was a natural fit, complementary to his skill set. Chris founded QueryClick in 2008 with a focus on harnessing data, to deliver actionable insights for clients that drive strong performance in-line with business objectives. With a focus on using R&D to deliver insights, backed up by tailored multichannel strategies tied to business metrics. QueryClick challenge assumptions and focus on transforming clients digital marketing to better find & connect with customers.
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About QueryClick: Independent digital marketing agency QueryClick uses unique technology to maximise ROI across brands’ multi-channel marketing campaigns
Ben Osborne
Director of Insights of Siegel & Gale
A brand and communications research specialist for over 13 years, Ben gives clients the confidence, insight and vision to influence their business and help build compelling brands.
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About Siegel & Gale: Siegel+Gale is a global brand strategy, design and experience firm. Using facts, intuition and creativity,
Tatty Bullard
Co-Founder & Strategy Director of Ginger + Ginger
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About Ginger + Ginger: Ginger + Ginger provides consulting services to improve brand marketing and advertising.
Eric Tomaszewski
Founder / Managing Director of Itoma Lux
Eric Tomaszewski is the Founder & Managing Director of Itoma Lux. He founded Itoma Lux in 2017 after 10 years of corporate experience with companies like Ocado, Magna Exteriors and Magna Interiors, Ishida Europe Ltd, and Kimberly-Clark.
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About Itoma Lux: We enable PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT with FINANCE and then de-risk it and increase chances of commercial success with MARKETING & SALES solutions.
Greg Blin
Board of Directors of Buster + Punch
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About Mobeus Equity Partners: A London, UK-based interiors brand.
Russell Yershon
Director of Connecting Brands
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About Connecting Brands: Connecting Brands is a sports marketing business that delivers and activates partnerships and brand ambassadors for brands with Sport.
Nadia Hutchinson
Global HR Operations Director of Kantar
Nadia Hutchinson is an international human resources leader with wide experience in transformation, change management, shared services and M&A. She joined Kantar at the end of 2018 leading HR Operations globally specifically to embed SaaS technologies, transform payroll and professionalize the HR service delivery model across the group. Her experience at British American Tobacco plc. as part of their global HR transformation team saw her leap into the changing world of digital technologies and data management. Prior to this Nadia led the HR Shared Service function for Standard Chartered Bank across Europe with a focus on risk and compliance that has continued in her career. Nadia is English, holds degrees in History, Spanish and Business Administration whilst also speaking Spanish. Her experience has spanned the data consultancy, media, financial services, management consultancy and magic circle legal organizations management. Otherwise, Nadia is passionate about travel and her young family. In addition, she has been a school governor and is a co-founder of a not-for-profit brokering targeted volunteering to support youth engagement and improve social mobility.
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About British American Tobacco, Kantar: Kantar is the data investment management division of WPP, is a global insight, information, and consultancy network.
Darren Chowles
Director of Rock Cherry
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About Rock Cherry: Rock Cherry specializes in consultancy, development, and management of web-based applications and mobile apps.
Ranzie Anthony
Partner – Executive Creative Director of Athlon
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About Athlon: Athlon helps global brands create products and services that build meaningful human connections and drive business success.
Sara Woods
Director of Philosophy Design
Sara started her career by diving straight into the deep end of high-pressure investor communications where she worked with international brands including Nokia and Allied Domecq. If that wasn’t enough of a challenge, she joined advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi Design in 1998 to lead the team re-branding world-class law firm Linklaters as well as working for Premier Oil across corporate communications. In 2000, she joined forces with Natasha and Philosophy was formed. Sara uses her vicar’s daughter upbringing to build genuine friendships with Philosophy clients. She acts as a marketing consultant for clients helping them build their brands and works alongside Natasha on driving the right strategic approach for clients. The diversity of clients and projects including rebranding global law firms, helping form marketing strategies for selling homes, co-designing (with client Block) the first patient App for GOSH helps Philosophy stay relevant and fresh.
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About Philosophy Design: A brand and digital consultancy that joins research, project management and creativity together to produce work that challenges.
Chris Mackie
Director and Founder of 205 Media LTD
Chris Mackie is a Director and Founder of 205 Media LTD.
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About 205 Media LTD: 205 Media is a creative agency that offers a range of personalized services to its clients.
Ivan Fernandes
Director – Digital Transformation of Digital Business Partners
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About Digital Business Partners: Digital Business & Technology Consultancy
Guy Weston
Managing Director of Creode
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About Creode, Open Path: Creode is a digital marketing business that helps companies transform their brands by combining technical skills with brand marketing.
Bill Carr
Managing Director of Carpe Diem
Bill Carr is the managing director at Carpe Diem.
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About Carpe Diem: Full service digital agency specialising in website design, development and marketing to increase ROI with Customer Rate Optimisation.
Mary Ann Dujardin
Co-Founder & Creative Director of Style Code
Co-Founder & Creative Director at Style Code
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About Style Code: Style Code is a creative tech company based in Seattle & Poole, UK.
Nick Snowdon
Director, TNS UK of Kantar TNS
Nick works in a team of 70 dedicated technology and financial services researchers in Kantar TNS UK, awarded he best UK agency for Innovation and B2B research by the Marketing Research Society. Nick holds an Advanced Certificate from the MRS and has worked in technology research for over 11 years including BOP research in Africa and Asia as well as Westernised markets. Managing project teams of intellectually curious researchers, Nick’ portfolio encompasses a varied mix of clients, including mobile networks, FinTech providers, app developers, video gaming developers, smart device manufacturers and social networks. He has wide-ranging experience in the research fields of brand, communications, innovation and CX research, as well as a specialism within Social Media analytics and the integration of Big Data with traditional research. His core expertise lies in research that contributes to thought leadership and in translating business objectives into research design that will help Kantar TNS’ clients identify, optimise and activate against the key moments that matter most for their brand – allowing them to innovate, inspire and prosper.
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About Kantar TNS: Kantar TNSA is a research worldwide agency that provides actionable insights that helps make impactful decisions that drive growth.
Dean Lynn
Managing Director of Trusted Media Agency
Can be found here – https://trustedmedia.co.uk
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About Trusted Media Agency: Full Servic e Digital Marketing and Website Agency in Peterborough & London
Andy Wise
Client Services Director of Engine Creative
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About Engine Creative: Engine Creative is an independent creative agency that helps brands connect with their consumers.
Matt Roskill
Managing Director of Albion
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About Albion, Utility Warehouse: We are a creative business partner. We work with companies to invent and reinvent their businesses to unlock growth.
Nigel Beaumont
Financial Director of Salon Promotions
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About Salon Promotions: Salon Promotions works with hair salons to offer them with high-end products.
Afsor Miah
Director of Ciesco
Director | Corporate Finance | Advisory Services
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About Ciesco: Corporate finance advisors to technology-enabled media and marketing businesses
Steven Lloyd-Barlow
Co-Founder | Director of vidbuild
vidbuild is the brainchild of Film & Media Production Director, Steven Lloyd-Barlow. After a career in managing film and TV shoots on a large scale, Steven recognised the cost and budget constraints that small businesses face in video production. The cost and expertise required to develop media in-house, or the cost involved to outsource the work simply outpriced most small to medium sized enterprises. As video content is the number one performer in global marketing, SME’s were suffering hugely in being locked out of this game. Steven sought VC funding through now parent-company Car Cloud Ventures, and partnered successfully with some of the worlds largest stock video providers (Getty, iStock & Storyblocks). With 5 years of development work completed within six months, and beta launch in early 2018, vidbuild was born.
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About : Online Video Maker – Make Your Own Professional Videos in Minutes
Thomas Gooday
Product Director of Maverick
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About Maverick: Maverick creates campaigns that offer brand experiences based on true cultural insight and the latest in media and technology.
Ian Nunoo
Digital Director of Javelin
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About Base2digital, Javelin: Javelin is an advertising agency that specializes in launching, developing, and evolving brands.
Dave Ward
Founder & Creative Director of CreateFuture
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About CreateFuture: CreateFuture is a design and innovation firm that puts creativity to good use.
James Copeland-Eccles
CEO and Marketing Director of smartvideo
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About smartvideo: Smart Video is a specialist online video marketing and technology company.
Tim Cross
Director Advertising Operations – Experienced Ad Network Business Creator of smartvideo
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About smartvideo: Smart Video is a specialist online video marketing and technology company.
Tim Cross
Director Advertising Operations – Experienced Ad Network Business Creator of smartvideo
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About smartvideo: Smart Video is a specialist online video marketing and technology company.
Mark Matias
Managing Director of OMdeSIGN
Director at OMdeSIGN. a creative website design and web development studio from London.
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About OMdeSIGN: OMdeSIGN is a creative digital agency focusing on website design and development.
Hugo Woodhead
Managing Director of Pilcro
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About Pilcro: Startups struggle to stay on brand. We are here to help. Manage your brand in pilcro.
Ian Styles
Executive Creative Director of Design Studio
With nearly 20 years of experience in the industry, Ian has built a reputation for the quality of his work, and transforming the agencies he works for. As well as forming his own studio, he has worked for some of London’s leading consultancies and loves the power of a simple idea to create and regenerate brands across any media. At DesignStudio he mentors the design team and ensures that innovation drives the work.
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About Design Studio: DesignStudio is a global brand and design agency with offices in the creative hubs of London and San Francisco.
Olivia Cantillon
Co-Founder & Creative Director of Own The Look
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About Own The Look: It is an online global womenswear store focusing on outfit dressing for the everyday woman.
Jack Archer
Director of Fable&Co.
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About Fable&Co.: Fable&Co. provides creative solutions and services to improve brand designs.
Anna Moss
Director of FireCask
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About FireCask: FireCask is an online marketing agency provides content marketing, SEO and social media marketing.
Anna Moss
Director of FireCask
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About FireCask: FireCask is an online marketing agency provides content marketing, SEO and social media marketing.
Elen Storm
Director of InQ.Social
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About InQ.Social: InQ.Social is an Online Marketing Platform
Blair Richardson
Senior Account Director of rehab_agency
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About rehab_agency: Rehab_agency designs and builds digital products for companies.
David Bryan
Managing Director of Opace Digital Marketing Agency in Birmingham
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About Opace Digital Marketing Agency in Birmingham: Opace are a results-driven Birmingham based Web Design, eCommerce SEO & Internet Marketing agency.
Rob Bryan
Technical Director of Opace Digital Marketing Agency in Birmingham
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About Opace Digital Marketing Agency in Birmingham: Opace are a results-driven Birmingham based Web Design, eCommerce SEO & Internet Marketing agency.
Sarah Sloan
Operations Director of Opace Digital Marketing Agency in Birmingham
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About Opace Digital Marketing Agency in Birmingham: Opace are a results-driven Birmingham based Web Design, eCommerce SEO & Internet Marketing agency.
Joppe Rog
Director of Film of Present Plus
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About Present Plus: Present Plus is a design driven startup studio specialized in design, product development, and film.
Ben Peckett
Creative Director of Amplify
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About Amplify: Amplify is a branding and advertising agency.
Adam Arnold
Founder & Creative Director of Brandality
Adam Arnold is the Founder & Creative Director at Brandality.
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About Brandality: Brandality is a brand design agency specializing in developing, creating, renovating, and designing aspirational brands.
Lee Stewart
Creative Director of Yellow Marshmallow
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About Yellow Marshmallow: We believe in websites that pay for themselves
