The7stars promotes trio on the back of new biz boom

Independent media agency the7stars has made three senior promotions across its planning and activation functions, further bolstering its leadership team as the agency continues to grow following a number of key account wins.

Michelle Sarpong (pictured, middle), previously commercial lead, has been promoted to head of activation. Caroline Tucker (pictured, right) and Vicky Crouch-Marlow (pictured, left) have been appointed joint heads of planning, in a newly created role designed to further strengthen the agency’s strategic leadership.

Sarpong joined the7stars in 2018 as trading director and was later promoted to commercial lead. She played a key role in the agency’s first major restructure four years ago, uniting all media planning and buying functions under a single Activation team to deliver integrated, omni-channel solutions.

In her new role, Sarpong will lead the agency’s 150-strong Activation team and report into managing partners Rhys Williams and Rhiannon Murphy, following their promotion earlier this year.

Tucker and Crouch-Marlow, meanwhile, will report directly into founder Jenny Biggam. Together, they will co-lead the account planning teams – comprising 100 staff and working with more than 70 clients across £500m in billings. As part of the changes, Libby Foster has been promoted to client planning partner.

Tucker, who joined in 2016, was promoted to client planning partner in 2019. Crouch-Marlow joined six and a half years ago, and was promoted to client planning partner in 2021.

Biggam said: “Michelle, Caroline and Vicky are outstanding leaders who have played a pivotal role in our award-winning work, ambitious growth and industry-leading NPS scores. Their promotions recognise not only their contribution but their deep understanding of our clients’ needs, and their ability to turn insight into action. I’m excited to see them shape the future of our agency and client relationships.”

As of December 31 2024, the7stars employed 312 people across media activation, insight and analytics, data and tech, production and creative.

Over the past 12 months, the7stars has scooped several sizable wins, including the FT, Freemans, Oak Furnitureland and the AA, which officially transfers this year.