Mission hands group CEO role to Big Dog chief Clifton

The Mission Marketing Group – the company behind Bray Leino CX, Krow, Big Dog and Story UK – has promoted Big Dog boss James Clifton to be its first group CEO as part of an expansion drive on the back of double-digit revenue growth.
Clifton started his career at Renault, then had spells at Black Cat, RMG Connect and JWT before joining Balloon Dog as chief executive in 2007. A year later the agency merged with Big Communications to form Big Dog and was acquired by Mission in 2012.
Most recently Clifton was appointed chair of the Mission’s integrated agencies business unit in addition to his role as CEO of the group’s industrial Internet of Things asset tracking business, Pathfindr.
Mission chairman David Morgan said: “We have been through a period of significant growth, expanding through complementary acquisitions, broadening our range of services, geographic spread and sector expertise.
“James’s appointment will ensure that we are able to both capitalise on the success that we’ve achieved and continue to build one of the most dynamic and successful groups in the UK. He is a strong leader, with his effective stewardship of Big Dog seeing the agency achieve excellent client retention, a series of significant business wins and a record trading year in 2018.”
Clifton added: “It is well documented that we are in uncertain times, especially in the advertising industry. But while other groups have been struggling, 2018 saw the Mission deliver its eighth consecutive year of growth. I believe we have the opportunity to significantly increase in size, reach and capability in the coming years.”
The move coincides with the Mission Group’s annual results which reveal a 13% revenue growth to £78.8m, while operating margin has increased by 12.6% and its profit before tax has risen by 22% to £9.5m.