22.07.25
22.07.25
Cold email still works. Better than you think.
I’ve been running some cold outreach recently – and the results have reminded me how effective it can be when it’s done properly. No spray-and-pray. No templates. Just:
✅ A clear proposition
✅ A tightly defined list
✅ Genuine personalisation
✅ A helpful CTA
It’s not about volume – it’s about relevance. Campaigns with <200 prospects and proper personalisation are seeing 20%-30%+ reply rates. Compare that to <5% on generic blasts. Huge difference. What’s working:
✅ Focused lists I can genuinely help
✅ Specific references to something they’ve said or done
✅ Kind, spaced follow-ups (4–7 emails = 3x replies vs. 1–3)
✅ Being helpful, not salesy
Cold email won’t close deals. But it will open doors – for conversations, feedback, and pipeline growth.
Don’t bin the channel. Tweak your inputs. Relevance > reach.
Lmk if we can embed a system and process for you.
Insights
19.06.26
In Dubai, we unveiled the MENA region’s first data-led benchmark of commercial performance across marketing communications agencies – revealing where growth is heading in 2026. Built in partnership between Sprint Partners Consulting, PRCA MENA and YouGov, the report captures the real story behind revenue, profitability, investment, new business intensity and the strategic capabilities shaping the […]
Insights
19.06.26
Agency Hackers’ Growth Summit was one of the most honest, practical and founder-led conversations about agency growth I’ve been part of in a while. What stood out wasn’t hype or theory, it was lived experience. Across M&A, new business, leadership, pricing, independence and scale, there was a refreshing lack of BS. Clear patterns from […]
Insights
12.02.26
Insights
26.11.25
You’ve probably seen the wild visuals doing the rounds from Google’s Nano Banana Pro. I had a play by uploading my report, The Growth Divide, and turning it into a whiteboard… 🤯 The output was spot on: sharp analysis, clean design, eerily lifelike. Exactly the sort of thing that speeds up early-stage strategic thinking and […]
Insights
26.11.25
I attended the fantastic Moore Kingston Smith LLP annual agency survey event last night, which painted a very clear picture: the agencies winning today – and those positioned to win tomorrow – are the ones behaving like high-performance teams. They’re agile, strategically disciplined, and continually evolving their proposition. The difference between “fit” and “future-fit” comes down to […]
Insights, Reports
20.11.25
A quick reminder for anyone shaping their 2026 plans: vision means nothing without delivery. This week, the PTO and the Saudi Federation signed an MoU in Riyadh to accelerate triathlon from grassroots to elite level – a clear sign of big ambition and long-term investment. But in the same weekend, one of the sport’s headline […]
Insights
19.11.25
I recommended what I called “the GOAT of business books” to a client last week – and I stand by it. If you haven’t read Good to Great by Jim Collins, it’s well worth it, particularly as you shape your 2026 plans. It was first recommended to me by an old boss, and the principles […]
Insights
03.11.25
Glasgow you great. Great fun, great people, and great food (GaGa Kitchen)! Enjoyed speaking to many Scottish agencies and learn more about the market up there. Some seriously strong agencies that shouldn’t be overlooked just because they’re not in London. Thanks to the PRCA for inviting me to speak about Agency Growth in 2026 and Pitching Smarter, Winning Bigger. Here […]
Insights
14.10.25
Had a lot of fun chatting to Chris Norton and Will Ockenden from Prohibition PR. Thanks a lot for having me on and putting me on the spot more than once! We dug into why so many brand-agency pitches miss the mark, and how both sides can make the process work better: The usual suspects: AI-written RFPs, vague briefs, and […]
Insights
11.10.25
Are you struggling to find a new gear and finish the year strong? After a long, demanding year, many leaders feel like they’re running out of steam – teams are stretched, priorities are blurred, and focus is hard to sustain. That’s why Hyperefficient by Dr Mithu Storoni is worth checking out. It explores how […]