Leeds Marketing Agency Expansion is Taylor-made
06 December 2010
New Office, New Managing Partner & Non-Exec Director Announced
Leeds-based design and marketing agency Outsmart is looking to fast-track its current expansion with a move into bigger premises, the introduction of a non-exec director and a new managing partner.Andy Taylor joins from PICgroup in Morley, where he was Business Development Director. He has previously worked for William Hill as Retail Marketing Manager for the UK and Ireland, plus agency roles at Poulters in Leeds and McCann-Erickson in Manchester.
Robert Pentelow, Director of The Pentelow Practice, which is a Principal Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management Group also joins the agency as a non-exec director.
The growth of the Outsmart team coincides with a move into larger premises in Leeds as the agency gears up to expand the business which already includes Virgin Health Bank, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and Blackpool-based Healthy and Essential as clients.
Taylor will work alongside Outsmart’s founder Paul Harker and will take the role of Managing Partner and Head of Client Services.
Paul Harker said: “In the last 12 months we’ve have worked with some great clients who are nationally known brands, and helped launch new businesses into local markets.
“We’ve managed to build a business based on excellent partnerships both with our clients and suppliers and delivering bright ideas in marketing, but we needed to add depth to the management team to meet the growing demands of the client base.
“Andy’s drive and his experience both in-house and agency-side will ensure we deliver the very best service while developing new prospects and working together to build the business.”
Harker, formerly Creative Director of McCann-Erickson Leeds, helped launch the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter card into the UK, created and launched laundry brand Simply Washing and has worked on accounts for Bentley Motors, Carling, Mitsubishi, Eurosites and Proctor and Gamble. Recent success stories include the branding and launch of Purple Vouchers in Doncaster, branding for Harewood House and packaging for the new Ideal Omega Taste range.
Harker added: “I wanted someone to join the business who has the vision to build a marketing business fit for the twenty-first century. Andy ticks all the boxes, and is respected throughout the industry for his integrity, work ethic and creative thinking.
“Rob will bring his business expertise and guidance in the strategic development of the business and I'm delighted they’re now both onboard.
“We’ve had a great 12 months and with these two additions to an already great team, plus our expansion into larger offices, 2011 promises to be an exciting year for the business.”
Andy Taylor, Managing Partner and Head of Client Services at Outsmart, said: “Paul and I share a vision for the future of the agency.
“We believe that results are only achieved through hard work and dedication and by looking to do things in a smarter way.
“Marketing has changed so much in the last decade, gone are the days when you could talk at your customers, it’s now all about how you interact with them, and build their trust in new arenas.”
Taylor will begin work with projects for William Hill, Lloyds TSB and Keighley-based Events business Project IT.
For further information visit www.outsmartagency.com
