Susie Taylor

Specialist Recruiter for Planners and Strategists, Business Development Consultant

susie@taylormadeconsultancy.com

 

Summary

As a specialist recruiter of digital and integrated planners and strategists, I draw on my 17 years’ agency experience to provide a consultative approach to both client and candidate. First I look to understand the agency’s vision, aligning that vision with the future aspirations and long-term career goals of my candidates. I then look at the more specific client requirements and how the candidate might address those.

My approach as a head hunter is very much informed by my 12 years’ new business experience. I provided strategic new business services to over 40 agencies across all disciplines including: digital marketing; integrated and direct marketing; advertising; research and innovation; brand and design consultancy and PR consultancy.

My experience of helping those agencies define their propositions proved to me that the primary way agencies truly differentiate themselves is through their talent – hence I help agencies achieve their objectives through employing the right kind of talent.

I now advise the industry’s best digital and integrated planners and strategists on their most rewarding career paths; help them find the best possible roles; and ultimately help them achieve their long-term goals.

 

Specialties

Specialist recruitment services for integrated and digital planners and strategists.

New business strategy review including: client and competitor audits; proposition development; marcomms review and development; PR planning; pitch consultancy and post-pitch analysis; tender and procurement support; resource and supplier recruitment; new business training.

 

Experience

Headhunter and New Business Consultant, Founder of Taylormade Consultancy

November 2009 – Present (2 years 5 months)

Headhunter specialising in integrated and digital planners and working with digital, integrated and advertising agencies and research and innovation consultancies.

Expert strategic consultancy on agency positioning and business development.

 

Talent Strategist at The Talent Business

July 2007 – November 2009 (2 years 5 months)

Strategic consultation and recruitment within the marketing and advertising industry. Specific focus on planners and strategists and new business development.

 

Business Development Consultant – Sense Worldwide and Miller Bainbridge & Partners

January 2006 – September 2006 (9 months)

Provided expert strategic advice on agency positioning and business development to two agencies: Miller Bainbridge & Partners (DM and digital) and Sense Worldwide (research and innovation). Responsible for developing new business strategies including the redefinition of their propositions, complete overhaul of all marcomms materials, creation of PR campaign plans, establishment of prospecting platform, pitch doctoring and analysis.

 

Business Development Consultant/Partner at Rainmaker Consulting

April 2002 – December 2005 (3 years 9 months)

New business strategy development and implementation for many of the UK’s leading agencies in each of their disciplines including: The Partners, The Brand Union (formerly Enterprise IG), Landor, Dragon, Conran Design Group, OgilvyOne, Razorfish (formerly DNA), Digitas, Iris, Agency.com, Rapp (formerly WWAV Rapp Collins), Tequila, EHS Brann, Engine Service Design, Done and Dusted, Kazoo, Firefly Communications and BLM Media.

 

Business Development Director at LION and Kitcatt Nohr Alexander Shaw

April 2001 – December 2001 (9 months)

Introduced a new business programme to LION and was instrumental in developing the agency proposition for ethical businesses, broadening the opportunity base and significantly increased the profile of the agency with the COI and other government departments. I was responsible for all agency marcomms and development of leads across charity and public sectors. Also initiated and successfully developed relationships with search and selection agencies including AAR and Haystack.

30% of my time whilst at LION was spent on the then DM start-up Kitcatt Nohr Alexander Shaw. I was responsible for bringing in a pitch for the £2m DM account for Lexus, and opportunities developed with Plymouth Gin, Bass Beers and Marks & Spencer.

 

Business Development Director at 141 Worldwide

January 2000 – April 2001 (1 year 4 months)

Solely responsible for new business within integrated agency of over 100 staff. Key roles included: identification of, and communication with, prospect base; development and management of all agency comms including advertising, credentials, mailers and PR; overseeing entire new business telemarketing operation; assigned and acted as pitch ‘doctor’ on all pitches; liaison with Bates UK new business team, including CCG.XM, and international networks; awards entry management and management of all search and selection agencies.

 

Marketing Manager at Euro RSCG Direct

January 1997 – December 1999 (3 years)

Management of the business development activity of DM agency of 70 staff, liaising with new business department of sister agency KLP Euro RSCG.

 

Sales Manager at BYTE Magazine, McGraw Hill Publications

March 1995 – December 1996 (1 year 10 months)