Congratulations…you found me!
Now most of the people that know me in person will likely agree that I have a fairly humble, reserved, conscientiousness and outward looking persona. Well I can confirm to you now, that’s a load of BULLSHIT! They clearly don’t know me that well.
I’m the kind of guy that always beings the most obscure drink from some foreign country to a house party, i’ll be the first one on it and the last one to stand. I take pride in what I do, whether it’s for a living or a hobby, other than my wife my main love in my life is my car, in fact sometimes it takes priority but for the sake of argument ( As I know she’ll be reading this) the car is no.2.
I like to create stuff for people to look at, engage with, interact in and hopefully get inspired by. It’s not that I desire to be anyone important par se, I just can’t help being awesome, it’s just who I am. Some say i’ve achieved things by coincidence, I don’t really believe in fate, it’s a state of mind and a driving mentality that moves me forward.
My journey so far
Known as ‘The Marketing Machine’ I harness creative ideas and concepts, I take a blank canvas and simply create tangible, profitable marketing strategies that work, provide ROI and above all convert. Through hands on experience and knowledge I have managed a vast array of digital marketing mediums providing deep analysis and a hands on approach.
My interest in the web came during the age of MySpace when you could customise profiles using html. I’ve always had a fascination with graphic design and even wanted to become an architect but a sudden change in heart prompted me to switch universities and study Marketing instead. Probably one of the best decisions i’ve made in my professional career so far.
During university I was offered a placement at a corporate events company, of which I was quickly promoted to web designer and maintained all web code, design, exhibitions, photography and even filmography. I won’t deny it, my skills were limited to ‘faffing’ with digital mediums but somehow always managed to deliver a good result. After graduating I was offered a position back at the events company, whereby through marketing pro-activeness we achieved substantial results online. However recession hit, times were tough and I had to move on.
At this juncture I knew that the world of digital marketing meant I required 2 years experience in an agency if I was to ever move forward. I found a local design agency and formed the Online Marketing department. A mixed role which not only involved client relationship management and campaign project delivery but also business development and sales. During this time I was influenced by my colleagues and became highly educated in the mechanics of web design, development and hands on online marketing.
I also setup a freelance design agency taking on personal clients for web and graphic design work as well as a bit of photography. It was fun and kept the innovation pot boiling.
However, once two years started creeping up I knew that the agency was never going to move forward due to, how I now describe as: ‘Piss Poor Management’. Never one to let my voice go unheard I took the upper hand and decided a change was needed.
An opportunity came for a ‘Web Assistant’ with an Insurance company. Now at this juncture I knew little about insurance and the location was well outside of my immediate catchment area. Quite possibly one of my most surreal interview experiences, you know when something is just right when you and the interviewer immediately get along as if you’ve been mates for years?!
Two years later, two promotions, two pay rises, moved house, a multitude of opportunities, continued growth within the business and experience in a wide variety of campaigns I continue to work at the same Insurance company but now acting as Marketing Manager with a full team of designers, writers, bloggers, social and affiliate marketers. This journey has led me to manage highly influential PPC, SEO, Social and TV campaigns from design, story-boarding, profiling and optimising to analysis, review and decision making. A journey I am ever grateful for being given the opportunity to have under taken I continue to manage currently. Maybe a little proud? But, we all must give ourselves a pat on the back sometimes otherwise how do we move forward if we don’t know where we’ve come from?
In addition, and never one to settle for just twiddling my thumbs, in late 2011 I set up an online Jewellery company. Focusing on high quality branded Jewellery whilst being competitive with the rest of a highly competitive market is no small feat. The Jewellery industry is stuck in the dark ages and there appears to be a total lack of knowledge about online marketing and relationships with customers, which is where I saw a gap. However, whilst maintaining a full time day job and attempting to setup a self sustaining online business sounds achievable on paper there is something called ‘reality’ which came to fruition mid 2012 when I decided to close the online Jewellery business…until another time perhaps.
Should I stop there? That’s not really in my nature…so currently I’m setting up a marketing consultancy and focusing on online blogging for the design and marketing community…there’s not much I really want to say more on that matter so you’ll have to just ‘watch this space’.
More about me
So by now I’m hoping you’ve got a pretty good picture of who I am, what I do for a living and maybe the kind of things that I enjoy. Aside from reading geeky articles, magazines, blogging, technology, making videos, web design and development i’d say I was a bit of a self confessed entrepreneur. Though I’d admit that ‘dabbling’ in my own business ventures is not exactly extensive I channel many of my ideas into my career and campaigns.
But enough of that, when i’m not behind a PC or Mac i’m often found tinkering with my car, polishing, tuning, breaking and fixing…yes I know you’re probably thinking ‘Oh dear…OCD’, well yes i’d admit i’m a perfectionist at heart – especially when it comes to cars. My friends don’t get it either so don’t worry i’m not expecting you to, there’s just something about clean paintwork and the grumbling sound of a V6 and then shifting through the gears with 280+ bhp behind you – It’s very difficult to put into words, maybe I’ll blog about it some time.
Aside from cars, i’m an avid snowboarder, hitting the slopes almost every year at least. If it’s not hurling myself down an icy slope then it’s chilling in the Mediterranean sipping Mojitos, smoking my favourite cigars and listening to music. Yeah, ok – i’ll also admit to you, but only because you’ve read this far, i’m about 40 years ahead of my age. Rather than pounding my brains into the ground of some dark and smelly club i’d much prefer to slump back in my reclining leather arm chair (In reclined position of course), slippers on, glass of Chairmans Reserve (A St Lucian Rum, no ice) and my favourite pipe and fresh tobacco. Oh no, now you think i’m having a mid life crisis – I probably am – oh well.
So i’m hoping from that you’ve built a fairly conclusive picture about me, maybe that’s not such a good thing…so I guess at this point we can waive our goodbyes and perhaps we’ll cross paths again some other time? Or…perhaps you feel compelled to know more about me and my random ramblings about life, politics, people and maybe a little bit of tech thrown in for good measure? Well if that’s you then…congratulations…you’ve survived so far…go forth and venture my friend and I hope you find it a jolly good time. if you feel really compelled do feel free to leave a comment or two. So without further ado, thank you for reading so far, I hope you enjoy my blog.
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