Darren Thomas Joins OLIVER as Managing Partner

OLIVER, the only company in the world to exclusively design, build and run in-house agencies and marketing ecosystems for brands, has hired Darren Thomas as managing partner for the UK. 

Darren will be responsible for driving growth for clients within the Inside Ideas Group (OLIVER’s parent company), particularly burgeoning accounts such as The Guardian, The AA and AXA. 

A brand and communications native, Darren previously held the role of global brand director for Geometry Global (now VML/Y&R Commerce) as well as managing director for Quiet Storm. Prior to joining OLIVER, Darren was Interim EMEA client lead on GSK at Publicis Groupe.                    

Chris Woodward, managing director at OLIVER and the Inside Ideas Group, said: “We continue to see significant growth across our business because of the value that in-house agencies can unlock. Our clients are asking us more and more to help them continue their digital acceleration journeys. 

“Darren is a true client partner. With deep experience in both business growth and digital campaign delivery, he is exactly the sort of senior leader we need at OLIVER to help brands realise their creative and strategic goals.”

Darren added: “Having worked in traditional agencies for over 15 years, I have learned that there is no better way to get stellar work done than being side-by-side with your clients. OLIVER has always been embedded in clients’ worlds, sharing their ambitions and the opportunity to drive creative, strategic and operational excellence from the inside is an exciting proposition for me. I’m looking forward to helping brands build marketing ecosystems that are fit for the future.”

Today, 57% of businesses have an in-house agency (the World Federation of Advertisers), with more brands expected to in-house their creative capability in 2022. OLIVER pioneered the in-house agency model in 2004 and has since grown to be the leading partner for brands in this space. It has grown 35% year-on-year, and was named Campaign’s Digital Network of the Year in 2021, as well as Global In-House Agency of the Year 2021 for its U-Studio operation.

Darren starts his new role with immediate effect.