Entrepreneur
John founded the first major advertising agency in the UK with a writer-business person at the helm. In four years, with clients including Virgin Atlantic and BT, it became one of the top 20 fastest growing agencies in the industry.
After merging his agency with a £100 million communications group, John took over as Managing Director and repositioned the company, winning £40m in new business within nine months of his appointment. He spearheaded the company as 'The Agency of the Future for Brands of the Future', establishing Europe's first on-line communications and E-commerce division. The company was sold in a multi-million pound deal with one of the world’s largest communications groups.
John has gone on to create a new company called Brandpool, a communications agency that draws on creative skills worldwide through the Internet. Within two years of launch, it is one of the fastest growing agencies in the UK.
Writer
Scriptwriting for a variety of performers, including Jonathan Ross and Mark Lamar; speechwriter for leading industry figures. Winner of numerous national and international advertising awards, including the New York Festivals. John has completed his first novel, a thriller set behind the scenes in a TV news studio.
Public speaker
John is regularly asked to speak at conferences, seminars and after-dinner events on motivation, personal development, marketing and popular culture. With humour and warmth, he delivers effective advice on translating ideas into action. As host of a national conference for the RAC, he drew on examples of ‘Great Marketing Mistakes’ (including edible underwear).
Speaking engagements include:
RAC National Conference, L'Oreal, National Express, Eastern Energy, CIO Connect, BP,
Hairdressers’ Federation, National Grid Co, Business Link, Alberto Culver, Education Authorities
What the clients say:
Marketing Manager, L’Oreal
“An important topic presented in a way that made us smile.”
Managing Director, RAC
“Excellent...I'm a fan!”
CIO Connect
“Your contribution was much appreciated, as was your flexible approach in fielding questions from the audience.”
National Grid Company plc
“I cannot imagine the series of presentations being better received.”
Event Manager, Business Link
“Serious message delivered with a sense of humour.”
Director, Hairdressers’ Federation
“Excellent delivery – researched the audience, mixture of serious strategy issues and people focus.”
Interests
Music – John was the drummer for Quadrophenia star Phil Daniels and his band (very big in Belgium at one point) and was house drummer when the manager of the Clash set up his studio band
Football – despite being scouted to sign for Brentford, John mysteriously resisted the lure of joining the mighty ‘Bees’. He is a follower of Tottenham Hotspur, but is seeking treatment
Literature – especially F Scott Fitzgerald
TV and radio presenter
GMTV: Presenter – The Work Guru
5: Presenter – Spin Doctor Surgery
Contributor – entrepreneurial business issues, media and marketing topics for GMTV, BBC, Reuters and 5 News
Radio: Presenter, writer – media news series on Talk, contributor LBC, sports books reviewer 5Live. Consumer affairs contributor – You and Yours; contributor – Richard Arnold Show, Liberty Radio
John founded the first major advertising agency in the UK with a writer-business person at the helm. In four years, with clients including Virgin Atlantic and BT, it became one of the top 20 fastest growing agencies in the industry.
After merging his agency with a £100 million communications group, John took over as Managing Director and repositioned the company, winning £40m in new business within nine months of his appointment. He spearheaded the company as 'The Agency of the Future for Brands of the Future', establishing Europe's first on-line communications and E-commerce division. The company was sold in a multi-million pound deal with one of the world’s largest communications groups.
John has gone on to create a new company called Brandpool, a communications agency that draws on creative skills worldwide through the Internet. Within two years of launch, it is one of the fastest growing agencies in the UK.
Writer
Scriptwriting for a variety of performers, including Jonathan Ross and Mark Lamar; speechwriter for leading industry figures. Winner of numerous national and international advertising awards, including the New York Festivals. John has completed his first novel, a thriller set behind the scenes in a TV news studio.
Public speaker
John is regularly asked to speak at conferences, seminars and after-dinner events on motivation, personal development, marketing and popular culture. With humour and warmth, he delivers effective advice on translating ideas into action. As host of a national conference for the RAC, he drew on examples of ‘Great Marketing Mistakes’ (including edible underwear).
Speaking engagements include:
RAC National Conference, L'Oreal, National Express, Eastern Energy, CIO Connect, BP,
Hairdressers’ Federation, National Grid Co, Business Link, Alberto Culver, Education Authorities
What the clients say:
Marketing Manager, L’Oreal
“An important topic presented in a way that made us smile.”
Managing Director, RAC
“Excellent...I'm a fan!”
CIO Connect
“Your contribution was much appreciated, as was your flexible approach in fielding questions from the audience.”
National Grid Company plc
“I cannot imagine the series of presentations being better received.”
Event Manager, Business Link
“Serious message delivered with a sense of humour.”
Director, Hairdressers’ Federation
“Excellent delivery – researched the audience, mixture of serious strategy issues and people focus.”
Interests
Music – John was the drummer for Quadrophenia star Phil Daniels and his band (very big in Belgium at one point) and was house drummer when the manager of the Clash set up his studio band
Football – despite being scouted to sign for Brentford, John mysteriously resisted the lure of joining the mighty ‘Bees’. He is a follower of Tottenham Hotspur, but is seeking treatment
Literature – especially F Scott Fitzgerald
TV and radio presenter
GMTV: Presenter – The Work Guru
5: Presenter – Spin Doctor Surgery
Contributor – entrepreneurial business issues, media and marketing topics for GMTV, BBC, Reuters and 5 News
Radio: Presenter, writer – media news series on Talk, contributor LBC, sports books reviewer 5Live. Consumer affairs contributor – You and Yours; contributor – Richard Arnold Show, Liberty Radio
Phenomenally talented Advertising Entrepreneur, Presenter, Writer, Motivational Speaker and Event Host John McWilliams is known on TV as the Work Guru.
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