James Evans
England,Hampshire
Summary
Experienced Marketing and Media Planning Leader | Based in the UK
Over eight years delivering high-impact digital, product, and behavioural change campaigns across industries, including Finance, Automotive, Technology, and Government. Known for driving a 127% uplift in media performance for Google and managing budgets from £3k to £16 million.
Specialises in Brand and Direct Response strategies for B2B and B2C markets, with thought leadership featured in major UK and AU publications. Combines strategic insight with a Kaizen management style, driving continuous improvement and measurable results.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Group Planning Director
Mediahub Worldwide
London
02.2025 - Current
- Enforced compliance measures for adherence to industry standards.
- Implemented operational changes for improved efficiency.
- Led team to streamline operations by implementing new strategies.
- Initiated business development activities, expanded client base.
Career Transition
Relocation
Winchester, Hampshire
07.2024 - 02.2025
- Completed a professional role in Australia and relocated to the UK after two years abroad.
Planning Director
EssenceMediacom | Client: Google
Sydney, New South Wales
10.2023 - 06.2024
- Promote oversight with accountability by directing and delegating, resulting in 127% increase over product marketing KPI target
- Leading Strategic Milestones: Spearheaded six strategic and tactical presentations, resulting in 2% increase in media performance outcomes
- Boosting Processes for Excellence: Enhanced workflows with solutions-first focus, leading to 1.2-point increase in client satisfaction.
- Fostering Global Connectivity: Facilitated connections and networking across EMEA, US, and APAC MFG regions, increasing cross-market sharing meetings to two per month.
- Maximising Profitability & Resource Management: Drove $50K increase in revenue through strategic profitability initiatives.
- Igniting Innovation: Spearheaded onboarding of two media partners, introducing new planning approaches.
Associate Planning Director
EssenceMediacom | Client: Google
Sydney, Australia
07.2022 - 09.2023
- Expanded Thought-Leadership: Demonstrated thought leadership through evolved planning approaches and 3 publications in B&T
- Accelerated Team Collaboration: Mentored 3 direct reports, resulting in each member completing over 3 training models, enhanced their skill sets that contributed to team development
- Developed Data-Driven Insights: Led six successful campaigns, leveraged data insights for enhanced media performance with portfolios of over $30m AUD across offline & online channels
- Improved People Management: Established feedback culture, and set SMART objectives resulting in all team members hitting 80% of their goals against target
- Developed Stakeholder Relationships: Forged strong ties with 8+ stakeholders, including department heads, that drove collaboration
- Streamlined Account Management: Surpassed A/B test targets by 127%, aligned with BLS studies and delivered exceptional results against Brand and DR objectives.
Communications Manager
Wavemaker | Client: Transport for London
London, England
01.2019 - 06.2022
- Featured Speaker Festival of Marketing 2021: Presented insights and strategies to industry leaders and peers at Festival of Marketing 2021, attended by over 500 professionals
- Revolutionised Podcast Media Planning: Led media podcasting initiative targeting underrepresented audiences, delivering increased listeners by over 200% through 3D Audio for Transport for London
- Co-Managed Transport for London £40 Million (D)OOH Estate: Unlocked £500k in untapped value by planning Transport for London's extensive online and offline out-of-home advertising estate.
Communications Executive
Greenhouse Group M | Client: Lloyd's Banking
London, England
05.2016 - 12.2018
- Enhanced B2B Media Campaigns: Achieved 19% surge in loan applications.
Recruitment Consultant
Prime Insight
London, England
11.2015 - 02.2016
- Dynamic Recruitment Strategies: Performed over 80 calls per day to secure top-tier candidates for Analytics and Insights specialist category.
Sales Associate
Fossil
Bristol, England
11.2014 - 05.2015
- Streamlined Sales of Fossil watches: Contributed to year-on-year increase in store revenue of over 2% through effective sales.
Associate Recruitment Consultant
Hays
London, England
07.2013 - 07.2014
- Revamped Recruitment: Employed headhunting techniques to source candidates, resulting in successful recruitment of 2 high net worth full-time roles.
Sales Specialist
Apple
Bristol, England
10.2011 - 06.2013
- Achieved Customer Satisfaction: Delivered expert consultation services, driving 90% rating in customer satisfaction scores.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business Enterprise
University of the West of England
09/2011 - 06/2015
Skills
- Digital and Multi-Channel Marketing
- Advertising Expertise and Brand Building
- Brand and Direct Response (DR) Campaigns
- Product Marketing Specialist
- Online & Offline Media Planning
- Behavioural Change Campaigns
- AB Testing Expertise
- Market Research ('YouGov' & 'TGI')
- Brand Lift Study
- Performance Metrics and Data Analysis
- Campaign, Account & Project Management
- Leadership & Team Management
- Office Productivity Tools (Microsoft Office, Apple, G-Suite)
- Adobe Creative Suite (including Lightroom)
- Trello
- IPA Foundation for Advertising
Visa:
UK Working Rights.
EU Work Eligibility, Via EU Partner Visa
Certification
Certifications (all from LinkedIn Learning unless noted)
Core Marketing Foundations
- Foundation Certificate (IPA)
- TV Masters (Thinkbox)
- SEO Foundations
- Social Media Marketing Foundations
- Small Business Marketing
Social Media and Content Strategy
- Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate (credited by Hootsuite)
- Social Media Marketing: Strategy and Optimization
- Social Media Marketing for Small Business
- Marketing: Copywriting for Social Media
- Content Marketing: Ways to Repurpose Videos
Advanced Skills and Soft Skills
- Marketing: High Impact Storytelling
- Emotional Intelligence Nano Tips
- Leading with Empathy
- Increase Your Flexible Thinking Skills
- Empowering Dyslexic Thinking at Work
Additional Qualifications and Experiences
- Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Gold Awards
- Open Water and Advanced Open Water Diving Certification
- Young Enterprise Certificate
- English National Cross Country Championships
Affiliations
- Running, Hiking, Photography, Natural World, Travel (45 Countries), Formula 1, Micro Business Owner
Languages
English
Fluent
Timeline
Group Planning Director
Mediahub Worldwide
02.2025 - Current
Career Transition
Relocation
07.2024 - 02.2025
Planning Director
EssenceMediacom | Client: Google
10.2023 - 06.2024
Associate Planning Director
EssenceMediacom | Client: Google
07.2022 - 09.2023
Communications Manager
Wavemaker | Client: Transport for London
01.2019 - 06.2022
Communications Executive
Greenhouse Group M | Client: Lloyd's Banking
05.2016 - 12.2018
Recruitment Consultant
Prime Insight
11.2015 - 02.2016
Sales Associate
Fossil
11.2014 - 05.2015
Associate Recruitment Consultant
Hays
07.2013 - 07.2014
Sales Specialist
Apple
10.2011 - 06.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Business Enterprise
University of the West of England
09/2011 - 06/2015