CEO Monthly Issue 2 2018

6 CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 2 2018 , Brighter Directions work as a remote expert marketing team for its clients, and emphasise the huge impact being a ‘people based’ company, and one that is exclusively focused on relationships and partnerships. We spoke toManaging Director, Claire Curzonwho tells us about the company and her own role in its ongoing success. Your Marketing Team on Tap Established in 2006, Brighter Directions has expanded at an impressive rate, with the ethos of the film being built around the personal relationships it has developed, both internally and with its clients and contacts. Claire comments on how the company keeps things simple and traditional, working with clients to understand their needs and trying out new innovative techniques which benefit both Brighter Directions and the client. “Here at Brighter Directions, our core services fit within the traditional marketing tactics, such as PR & Media relations communications and new marketing including Social Media marketing, where we work for our clients to manage their external reputations and brand position across hard and digital channels. “Typically, we work with all types of organisations across a range of sectors, from innovative start- ups, through to SME’s where we mainly work on a retained basis as their head of marketing, through to global and blue-chip organisations where we work with their own marketing teams as an expert, or to assist in launching a new product or service on an ad-hoc basis. We predominately focus our efforts within the UK, but also work overseas, and of course we are never ones to shy away from a work trip. Honestly, I cannot say it is any less stressful than my corporate career was, but it is certainly more rewarding on a personal level – for me, and my team, as well as the clients we deliver for.” Choosing to leave her stressful and hectic corporate career behind, Claire started Brighter Directions and worked with some of the world’s largest media. She outlines some of her previous experience, discussing which opportunities she targeted and what avenues Brighter Directions has enabled her to explore. “Essentially, the company was built on my previous experience that aligned the gap between sales and marketing, we found a real gap in the market, not just for relationship and KPI focused services, but also as a woman leading and managing a marketing agency that truly understands the symbiotic relationship between marketing and sales. “Officially, I work as Managing Director, but I am passionate about my business and my clients, therefore I very much lead from the front in the company. I am head of operations, staff development and productivity, alongside running the sales team and managing my own client accounts, plus I develop our own commercial strategy for business innovation.” Since starting her career, Claire has overseen many changes within both her company and the marketing industry as a whole, particularly in regards to women. “The marketing industry has seen major transformation and growth since I started in it over 20 years ago, but this is not a bad thing, as 1801CE01 there has been significant inspiring and innovative changes including flexible working, which allows more talented women into the profession. Furthermore, there have been changes in the law which make it much harder for amateurs to maintain a service offering, but it has been technology that has really enforced change within the industry. The rise of social media marketing has been noteworthy, which was a very new tactic when I started in the industry, and it has now become a global must-have