One of Yorkshire’s longest-established marketing agencies is proud to have expanded within its ranks to include a team of digital specialists, broadening its digital marketing offering as demand for online services continues to grow. 

Sowden & Sowden has appointed a dedicated Digital Account Director along with a Digital Marketing Executive and a dedicated Digital Creative Manager.  

The appointments come amidst rising demand from the agency’s new and existing clients for digital marketing services, following a sustained shift towards online channels.  

Ryan Thomas, the agency’s Digital Account Director, brings nearly two decades of experience in managing both national and international marketing campaigns across a range of sectors, as well as boasting a Master’s degree in International Business & Marketing Strategy. 

Ryan specialises in establishing a strong digital presence for Sowdens’ client portfolio by improving their lead generation through highly targeted digital campaigns – coupled with effective lead nurturing to improve their overall lead conversions.  

Prior to joining Sowden & Sowden, Ryan oversaw marketing activity for one of the world’s largest producers of racing and track cars, Radical Sportscars, as well as delivering marketing campaigns across Europe for one of the world’s biggest hotel organisations, InterContinental Hotels Group.  

Photo description from left to right: Chloe Chamberlain (Digital Creative Manager), Polly Sowden (Director) and Ruby Keable (Digital Marketing Executive). 

Chloe Chamberlain has taken up the position of Digital Creative Manager, at the Yorkshire-based digital agency. With 6 years of experience in the industry, Chloe is perfectly placed to manage a range of the agency’s local and national accounts, with specialisms in paid social media marketing, online advertising, web design and development.  

Their Digital Marketing Executive, Ruby Keable, has a strong pedigree in social media marketing with 5 years’ experience in the industry. Previously working as an in-house Marketing Executive, Ruby has a broad knowledge of all aspects of marketing and now heads up a range of Sowdens’ social media accounts, as well as contributing to some outstanding Digital campaigns. 

Neither Chloe nor Ruby took the traditional route into the industry, with them both tackling apprenticeships and diving into employment straight out of college. Chloe has gained both a Level 3 Diploma in Digital Marketing and a Level 3 Diploma in Graphic Design since starting her journey in marketing, and Ruby has both a Level 3 & Level 4 Diploma in Digital Marketing under her belt. 

Milestone statistics since expanding their digital marketing offering:

• Tripled sales in 3 weeks following Vista Craft Resin e-commerce website launch
• Improved SEO rankings to Nº1 spots on Google for Arbordeck
• 120% growth across social channels in 3 months for East London College
• Delivered a return on investment of 1501% for Ron Dearing UTC in Hull
• 384,824 potential students reached across East London for Barking & Dagenham College
• Strategic digital and social marketing took UTC to 33% oversubscribed

Polly Sowden, Director, commented 

“At a time when digital is all but dominating the way businesses are operating, we understand that our clients’ needs are evolving and so we are enhancing our digital expertise to ensure we can continue to meet these needs and generate even more return on investment.  

Responding and adapting to change is in our DNA, one of the reasons why we’re celebrating our 40th year in business in 2022, is because we’ve successfully, and continuously delivered outstanding marketing and communications for four decades.  

The team are excited to be working with Ryan, Chloe and Ruby to drive future digital growth, both for our agency and for our clients.” 

Ryan Thomas comments 

“Building on Sowdens’ existing capabilities and broadening the range of digital marketing services is just another way we’re strengthening our position and growing our track record of success.

It follows a period of strong growth across the board for the agency despite the challenges posed by Covid-19. Over the last 12 months, we’ve secured several prestigious national and international accounts, including a global green energy giant Orsted, a high-profile retail investment group operating across Scotland, Cheshire, Worcester and Hull, and one of only 12 Institutes of Technology in the country, based in East London. As well as being awarded contracts with the UK’s Nº1 resin manufacturer, Vuba Resin Products, and the world’s Nº1 composite decking brand, Trex.”  

The agency has also taken its corporate events offering virtual, delivering new and innovative approaches to online events. This includes the incredibly successful live-streamed Festival of Green Innovation launched in March 2021 – the first of its kind in the UK – which attracted over 1,000 viewers from around the UK and further afield, including China, India and Canada.  

Paul Sowden, Managing Director, said 

“The events in recent times have made an indelible mark on the world of work and I believe we are going to see a sustained shift in how businesses operate going forward.  

By embracing the benefits of digital and adapting our agency to meet the needs of our changing world, we’re setting solid foundations for our future to ensure we continue to offer maximum value to our clients for years to come.” 

Through this digital expansion, Sowden & Sowden will bolster its current digital marketing offering – which includes social media marketing, web design and PPC advertising – with new services spanning Search Engine Optimisation, User Experience, e-commerce sites and performance optimisation.  

They also offer traditional marketing services, such as marketing strategy development, brand design and management, public relations and corporate video production.  

As well as bringing in dedicated digital experts, the agency has also taken on more fresh faces over the last year in response to increased client demand, including a Senior Account Manager, Production Manager and more recently a Head of Content. 

To find out more about working at Sowden & Sowden visit: https://www.sowden-sowden.co.uk/careers/