Media Industry Stalwart One of Several New Faces at S3 Advertising as Agency Embraces Its New ‘Bite Big’ Personality

It has been a stellar few months for Welsh independent advertising agency, S3 Advertising. Following a raft of new business wins, the launch of its new brand identity and the announcement of its move to a new-era creative hub in Cardiff city centre, the business can now confirm the appointment of no fewer than six new members to its ever-growing team.

Joining departments spanning Production to Digital and almost everything in between, the new recruits have been brought in to help further strengthen the agency’s ability to produce creative-powered campaigns designed to help businesses achieve big results.

Never ones to think small, S3 has first brought an industry stalwart into the agency to seek out new business opportunities. New Business Development Manager, Mikey Rowe, joins from Communicorp UK.

There, based at Capital South Wales, Mikey put together marketing strategies across a range of media for clients for over seven years – not just through radio advertising, but across digital and other means, with a strong understanding of how each element feeds into a wider marketing campaign.

“I was approached by a recruitment firm as they thought I’d be a good fit for the brand,” says Mikey, “Communicorp UK helps solve clients’ problems across a range of media, similar to an agency, so progressing my career in this way felt right. I’d heard lots about S3, especially since the recent brand refresh and was especially excited by the wealth of big-name clients they worked with – including Clogau, S4C and findandfundmycar.com. It just felt like the perfect fit!

Mikey, who’s originally from Plymouth, also has experience working with brands such as Red Bull and was drawn to S3 following its recent brand refresh when it unveiled its ‘Where the Little Bite Big’ personality.

He says, “After open and honest chats with the four Managing Partners, I really admired the way they described their desire to bite big in the agency world and build the business. I genuinely thought this was the best place to develop my career and I can’t wait to start helping clients find and understand S3.”

Keen podcaster Mikey moved into a career in advertising after realising he “wasn’t good enough to play rugby full time” – but that hasn’t stopped him since building incredible relationships with clubs and players across the country.

Now ready to use his relationship-building skills and subsequent connections, Mikey will be tasked with welcoming new clients from a local and regional level into the business, while – in the true spirit of S3’s values – bite big as he looks to attract clients on a national level.

Working alongside Managing Partner (Commercial Relationships), Mike Webb, Mikey is most excited about finding those clients whose marketing efforts will make a real impact on their sales or business growth or make a difference to the community.

He adds, “They might not always be the market leader, but with the right agency they’ll have the potential to be.

“I’ll look to build relationships with them, understand their marketing or sales problems, their needs and objectives – and then look to solve them with great creative, and integrated campaigns that wow.

“Working for a media owner before could sometimes be quite frustrating, knowing you were only able to contribute to a portion of the client’s campaigns because you didn’t have the media to solve a client’s problem.

“I can’t wait to now find and get stuck into some big campaigns, where we can help to make a real difference to a client’s business.”

As Mikey’s appointment comes following S3 recently being named ‘Employer of the Year’ at the Cardiff Business Awards 2020, he adds, “I’m so pleased to have found a company with the same ambitions as me. It offers the potential to build on its already impressive portfolio built off a real buzz, energy and enthusiasm.”

His arrival forms part of S3’s growth plans and Mikey is one of a number of new faces at the agency in recent weeks that also includes Meg Hastings as Production Coordinator. Meg joins following a career in operations and project management for live events including the BRIT Awards and the National Television Awards.

Taking charge of keeping the Production team in check while managing organisation and logistics for the department should be a breeze for Meg, who has previously worked with music artists and VIPs – including Wales’ very own Katherine Jenkins – to ensure their experience on tour was the best it could be.

Fresh off the set of the agency’s most recent shoot, a TV advert for jewellery brand, Clogau, which is set to air this summer, Meg says, “This is the first time S3’s Production department has had anyone in this role, so I’m really looking forward to crafting it – finding out what works and what doesn’t.”

While Meg puts in a graft on set, S3’s new Video Editor, Sam Lloyd, ensures the content gathered is edited to perfection ready for screen. With a creative flair and eye for detail, Sam joins S3 following over four years at another agency where he built up experience producing and editing a variety of video content projects for clients ranging from universities and NHS health boards to international businesses.

Meanwhile, from an internship in Denmark for REVOLT to just under two years at another agency, Lewis Beavis has also joined S3 in recent weeks. The Advertising Design graduate from the University of South Wales has settled in as Creative Lead, already producing work for the likes of the National Famers Union.

Joining the Digital team is Business Management graduate, Alex Cox. With experience on both client and agency side, Alex has been responsible for insight decision making, strategic thinking, marketing optimisation. His knowledge of working with major brands including British Airways means Alex bolsters S3’s offering as Digital Operations Manager. He’s accompanied by new Digital Account Executive Suki Patwal.

Finally, as more businesses choose S3 to help them bite big, new Account Executive, Sophie Green, will be a vital link between them and the rest of the agency.

Managing Partner (Agency Development), Rebecca Campbell, says, “We’re thrilled to add so many new faces to our talented team made up of people from all walks of life.

“Each of these new members of Team S3 will help strengthen the business from the ground up – and we’re already feeling the benefits of welcoming them into the agency.

“It doesn’t stop there, either. We’re now recruiting for our own Brand & Marketing Manager to ensure S3’s name is in front of in-house marketers and business leaders as we continue proving organisations like theirs don’t need to go to the ‘big smoke’ and pay London price tags to get work that bites big.”

To keep up to date with the latest vacancies at S3 Advertising, visit s3advertising.agency/join.