Lida has appointed Golley Slater strategy director Mark Hancock – who has worked at some of the agency world’s biggest names – as its head of strategy.
He started his agency career at Red Square Group in 1996, eventually becoming planning director, and then freelanced at agencies such as JWT, OgilvyOne and RMG Connect.
Hancock joined Proximity as worldwide strategy director in 2003, where he worked on global accounts such as P&G, Shell, Mercedes, IHG, Jim Beam and VW.
He then joined at Agency.com where, as executive strategy director, he was the strategic lead for all domestic and global pitches within the group, joining Golley Slater in June 2010.
During his time at Golley Slater, Hancock was responsible for the groups’ strategic direction across a variety of sectors including automotive, pharmaceuticals, entertainment and FMCG. He was also behind the award winning strategy and implementation of the new brand platform for Clarityn hayfever products.
At Lida, Hancock will report into chairman and chief strategy officer Matthew Heath, and will be responsible for the agency’s planning department and strategic capabilities. He will work closely with clients such as O2, Virgin Holidays, Boots and Ikea.
Heath said: “Mark is a stellar strategic marketing professional with vast experience in building business value both on and offline – an obvious choice for Lida. He understands intuitively our 70/20/10 approach and the great work it helps to produce. His extensive insight and knowledge will keep Lida at the forefront of the industry and deliver the superior strategic counsel our clients have come to expect.”
