Saatchi X planning chief Philip Slade – the man known just as much for his flamboyant suits as his industry expertise – has quit the agency to set up his own consultancy, The Slade Cooperation.
Originally a creative, in recent years Slade has moved into insight and planning roles.
Having graduated with a degree in industrial design, Slade got a job on Smash Hits magazine, before joining Saatchi & Saatchi as an art director. After a spell at IMP, he co-founded Hicklin Slade with Justin Hicklin in 1998, where he stayed until the acrimonious split of 2005.
Slade then worked at Passion, Pulse Group, t7F and Nextdoor before returning to Saatchi in October 2010, as planning director of its experiential division Saatchi X.
On his LinkedIn profile, Slade lists his specialisms as “lateral thinking, shopper insights, maven based passion for innovative digital communications, and an ability to drink beer”.
At Saatchi X, he worked on the shopper marketing strategy for Diageo global brand teams; Smirnoff, Tanqueray, Johnnie Walker, Baileys, Bushmills and Guinness. Slade was also part of a team looking at trends in affluent female travellers and the over 50s market.
He has also worked on Old Spice UK, Harman Kardon, and First Drinks.
