Former EHS Brann group managing director Mike Spicer has been appointed chief executive of independent marketing communications agency Pulse Group.
Spicer has been tasked with building up the business of Pulse Group, which was launched in 1984 as a promotional marketing agency. It is an industry in which Spicer has strong roots, having started his career at IMP (now Leo Burnett).
Pulse Group has since broadened its services and now offers direct marketing, sales promotion, shopper marketing, events, experiential, CRM and digital. Promotional marketing ‘godfather’ Clive Mishon is deputy chairman of the group, which lists Diageo, Emirates and Renault among its clients.
As chief executive, Spicer will be working closely with founder and executive chairman Gerry Ellender to retain and achieve organic growth within the group’s existing client base, further strengthen the senior team, and bring renewed focus to strategic development.
Spicer said: “Pulse Group is the best kept secret in the industry, as although we have a highly revered client list, we just don’t talk about what we do. I am determined to change this and let a wider audience see that we make great things happen for our clients.”
Ellender added: “Mike has a great reputation within agencies and brands alike. His appointment is in response to client and industry demand. We have developed long lasting relationships with major brands over the last 26 years and Mike’s arrival represents a big step in our evolution.”
Spicer started his career at IMP in 1989 as an account executive, when John Farrell was managing director. He went on to become managing director of IMP’s successor Arc in 2003, but left after a restructure of the business instigated by Bruce Haines, chairman and chief executive of the Leo Burnett group in London.
He then had a spell as chairman of Media Square’s marketing division, before joining EHS Brann (now EHS 4D Group) in July 2008.
