Hello. I’m Gellan Watt.
Award-winning Agency Founder, Global Brand Strategist, Growth Hacker, Creative Director and Non-Exec.
ContactAbout me.
"I help ambitious brands grow worldwide."
I have worked with many of the world's most famous brands, brightest start-ups and brilliant challengers, helping them grow, creating maximum brand value and results.
If you would like to discuss the potential of working together get in touch.
History.
"Do great work."
In 2003, I founded an independent Creative and Brand Agency based in Bournemouth and London, UK which went on to become UK Agency of the Year, Top 10 UK Independent Agency and the UK’s Most Effective Agency, Best in Advertising, Best in Creative and Best in Strategy - growing domestic and global brands including Caterpillar, John Lewis, Barbour, Marshall, Mizuno, David Beckham and many more.
That agency is Thinking Juice. In 2011, I merged the business with The Emerge Group (UK’s 12th largest Marketing Communications Group – consisting of 7 leading Integrated, Digital, Media, Property, Pharma agencies). Remaining an equity partner, I took the role of Managing Director and Group Chief Creative Officer. We were highly acquisitive doubling in size in just four years to £60m turnover in 2016.
I also held a board role for AMIN Worldwide (the global independent agency network) of which Thinking Juice was the UK shop. The network includes over 50 agencies, operating in 30 countries, employing over 3,000 people.
Following the successful sale of The Emerge Group and its agencies early in 2016, I now work direct with ambitious brands seeking proven commercial thinking, big ideas and high-growth strategy.
Along the way I have been picked up numerous accolades including over 150 creative awards, being named UK Marketing Industry MD of the Year and being placed in Media Industry’s Top 15 Power Faces and Marketing Power 100.
Approach.
"Differentiate. Be curious. Question everything. Talk straight. Simplify."
Do great work. It’s my mantra. And I believe it’s the secret to success for brands and people. Great experiences. Great products and services. Great stories. Great strategy. Great technology. Great content and communications. Great ideas. Great relationships.
GREAT is the only way to create real value, in a world where brands market to real people. Humans that live in a world of increasing complexity - craving products, services and experiences that come into our lives and fit. From brands we trust. And love.
I love what I do. I unravel complicated. I never guess. I uncover powerful customer and business insight. Hunting for gaps and 'the new'. I empower people. I focus on metrics and measurement, commercial logic, profit, relevance, sustainable growth and real innovation.
I believe brands are built on behaviour. That most brands and agencies are not maximising their potential. By a long way. Culture is key. Digital is utterly traditional. Every touchpoint is an experience and an opportunity to wow. Big ideas can change the future of a brand. And relentless simplification is the key to success.
Only GREAT works.
What I do.
GLOBAL
BRAND STRATEGIST
Working with brands worldwide on all areas of transformational strategy – creating brands, propositions, products and services, experiences and communications that are impossible to ignore.
GROWTH
HACKER
For ambitious brands I create fast track growth plans, strategies and tools using my HAX® Growth System - designed to find the fastest and most profitable ways to grow.
AWARD-WINNING
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Big ideas and integrated campaigns built on powerful strategic thinking. I work freelance with agencies and direct with brands, creating powerful, effective and irresistible award-winning work.
NON-EXEC DIRECTOR
AND ADVISOR
I work as a Non-Exec Director and Advisor for ambitious brands and entrepreneurs that want to deepen their board level marketing, communications, brand, commercial strategy and growth expertise.
OTHER
Other roles include Speaker, Advertising and Marketing Expert Witness and I write a monthly branding column and have a book on the way. I am also an Investor and am involved with a number of exciting start-ups.
Awards.
I’m very lucky to have created and led some incredibly talented teams. Here’s some of my award highlights:
Top 150 Global Growth Hackers 2017
UK Marketing Industry Managing Director of the Year
Top 15 Media Industry Power Faces 2015
12th in the UK Marketing Power 100
Over 150 Creative and Industry Awards
Top 10 UK Agency Elite
UK Agency of the Year
DBA Creative Business of the Year
Top 5 Wirehive Digital Agency 100
UK’s Most Effective Agency
UK’s Best in Advertising
UK’s Best in Creative
UK’s Best in Strategy
UK’s Best in Digital Strategy
Brand experience.
The list goes on and including numerous B2C and B2B brands in Technology, FMCG, Travel, Pharma, Automotive, Utilities, Property, Luxury, Entertainment, Sport, Fashion, Publishing, Retail, Telcomms, Finance and beyond. I’ve also worked with numerous sporting legends including David Beckham, NBA Legend Hakeem The Dream and Judy Murray’s grass roots tennis programme Miss Hits… and some BIG brands and projects which I am not allowed to tell anyone about. Shhhhhh.
Never be ordinary
Posted by Gellan Watt on 3rd June 2018
Sign up.
For business, branding, creative and start-up case studies, papers, articles, links and opinion, sign up for my newsletter.
Contact.
[email protected]
+44 7923 056 645
Available for media comments, interviews, articles and opinion.