Independent global digital creative agency AnalogFolk has today announced that Anna-Louise Gladwell is to become its new London Managing Director, with Sol Ghafoor also set to join as Director of Strategic Services. Gladwell joins the agency from Adjust Your Set and will report to Global CEO Guy Wieynk, whilst Ghafoor joins from Publicis•Poke and will report into new London MD Anna-Louise Gladwell. With the appointment of Gladwell, interim MD Bill Brock will move into a newly created Chief Client Officer role. Ghafoor will replace current Director of Strategic Services Doug Baker, who departs the agency after 7 highly successful years to pursue a personal passion for cycling by joining the fast-growing digital media business Play Sports Group, with a position to be announced soon.
The move signals a significant boost to the London leadership team and a continued commitment to current UK based clients such as BT, Costa Coffee, Nando’s and Unilever. Gladwell’s track record in business development, growth and agency leadership, coupled with Ghafoor’s vast experience with creating strategies to solve complex business problems for A-list brands, strengthens AnalogFolk London’s commercial and strategic capabilities as it continues to deliver digital products and creative-led digital marketing communications for progressive brands.
Marking a busy end to Q4 for the independent agency, the announcement follows the opening of the agency’s 7th office in Amsterdam, acquisition of Serum Consultancy and appointment of Guy Wieynk as global CEO.
Guy Wieynk, CEO AnalogFolk “I’m thrilled to welcome Anna-Louise and Sol to the team. Both bring invaluable experience in running successful creative digital agencies, servicing clients strategically and growing businesses. Anna-Lou and Sol’s knowledge of how to develop relationships with big brands and create value for them will be a huge asset to the London office and wider global network, and I can’t wait to start working with them both.“
Gladwell brings over 19 years of experience with global creative digital agencies, where she has worked with some of the world’s most recognisable brands including Unilever, Heineken, Volkswagen, Diageo, MINI, Xbox, H&M, Volvo, Hertz and Eurostar. Previous positions include UK Growth Director at Publicis Media, Director of International Business Development and Head of Business Development at AKQA, as well as Account Director positions at Tribal DDB.
Industry veteran Ghafoor’s most recent position was Head of Strategy at Publicis•Poke. Prior roles include Head of Strategy at Poke, Group Strategy Director at Publicis London and Strategy Director of Publicis London. Clients that Ghafoor has worked with include Heineken, Renault and Essity, with several noticeable projects claiming accolades such as Cannes Lions, Eurobest, Webby, YouTube Works and IPA Effectiveness awards.
Anna-Louise Gladwell, Managing Director AnalogFolk London “I’ve long admired AnalogFolk and their mission of using digital to make the analog world better. They are one of the few independent creative digital agencies that has the nimbleness, company culture and combination of creative, data and strategy that progressive brands are crying out for.”
Sol Ghafoor, Director of Strategic Services AnalogFolk adds “Throughout my discussions with Bill and Matt I’ve been impressed with AnalogFolk’s digital and strategic knowledge. Their client list is impressive and I see huge potential to add value. I’m excited to help develop the strategic offering and to start working with the team on achieving clients’ strategic goals.”
Gladwell and Ghafoor will officially begin their new roles in January 2020, with Bill Brock and Doug Baker set to continue in their current roles until that time.
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