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Ogilvy UK bolsters influence proposition with new strategy hires
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Ogilvy UK is continuing to strengthen its influence proposition with a wave of influencer strategy hires.
Stephen Maycock joins as strategy director, alongside senior strategists Lidia Passaro and Kent Maquiling, senior creative strategist Natalie Fox, and mid-weight influence strategist Russie Miessi.
Last year, Ogilvy became the most awarded agency for a seventh consecutive year at the Global Influencer Marketing Awards, and in the UK has launched PR, Social and Influence-first activations for iconic British brands such as First Choice, Sainsbury’s and Comic Relief over the last year. The network's expertise across Social has also helped secure landmark accounts as part of WPP, notably Mastercard late last year.
Maycock joins Ogilvy UK from Born Social where he led the transformation of influencer marketing strategies for global brands. Passaro comes from BBD Perfect Storm, where she drove the agency’s social and influence strategy for clients, Fox from Billion Dollar Boy, where she was a key player in its rapid growth, and the most recent hires, Maquiling and Miessi, who come from fellow WPP agency Goat and Born Social respectively. Miessi is also a former D&AD trustee.
Each will work across Ogilvy UK’s growing roster of clients integrating PR, social and influence into the forefront their marketing plans. They will be tasked with building longstanding, authentic connections between brands and global communities through powerful, culture-first ideas. They will report into Ogilvy’s recently promoted EMEA Head of Influence Strategy, Rachel Porter.
James Murphy, CEO, Ogilvy UK said: “The best agencies have always been a battle for talent and nowhere is that fiercer right now than in the areas of Influence and Social. The arrival of Stephen, Lidia, Natalie, Kent and Russie signals Ogilvy’s commitment to the very best.”
Porter states: “There isn’t a single brand who isn’t curious about the power of social and influence. This is no longer seen as something that’s exclusive to Gen-Z, and it is single-handedly redefining the way brands win over people. But with that, the industry is becoming more competitive. To win, we need smart, reactive, and chronically online brains. Our new hires all have that in bucket loads.”
Maycock adds: “Social is where people search, decide and share. Creators are now the driving force behind those trend signals. Joining Ogilvy UK at a time when its influence work is setting a global benchmark is so exciting. Absolutely thrilled to be working with Rachel and the wider team to help our clients innovate their creator strategies with more effectiveness, creativity and distinction.”
