Digital & Social Agency IMPERO Adds Dan Deeks-Osburn & Neil Higton

Creative, digital and social agency IMPERO has hired two key members of staff to reflect the evolving needs of their clients and the changing nature of their business. 

Dan Deeks-Osburn joins the agency as Lead Strategist. He will develop and maintain, brand, communications, digital, content and social media strategies across the agency’s client roster, while ensuring deep integration with other channels. 

He said: “Brands today aren’t built on whiteboards in boardrooms. They’re built online, in real-time, cheek by jowl with the consumers who love or hate them. To gain a place in people’s increasingly cluttered lives, brands need to start online, with purpose, and build up from there.”

Deeks-Osburn brand-building experience is as varied as it is non-traditional. After working as a journalist and copywriter on both sides of the Atlantic, he transitioned into advertising working first at Grey London, then Deep Focus London (Jam), and as a consultant for brands looking to integrate their PR and social media communications. Prior to joining IMPERO, he was brand strategist at the integrated branding and communications agency, Exposure, where he developed brand and creative strategy for clients such as Uniqlo, Rolex, American Eagle Outfitters, and G’Vine gin. 

IMPERO has also appointed Neil Higton as a Client Partner to run two of the agency’s key accounts – Beefeater Gin and Campo Viejo. Prior to joining IMPERO, he served as Head of Social at Essence. 

Neil’s agency career began in 2009 as a founding member at Punktilio, a Soho-based specialist social media agency that was later acquired by Essence in 2011. At Essence he was responsible for the post-acquisition integration of service lines and for developing social media strategies and campaigns for eBay, Google and Expedia.

"We’re now living in a world where it’s imperative for brands to capture hearts and minds in the digital space if they are to thrive. The brands that listen to what consumers want and provide platforms for them to participate in what they are doing are the ones that truly inspire their audiences to create something meaningful with them,” Higton said.

IMPERO Creative Director and founder Michael Scantlebury, said: “Many agencies have suits who pursue their own agenda and sell what they want, rather than what the client needs. That’s not good enough in 2015. Our agency – and our clients – need real partners who can grow brands online – where the people are. Bringing Neil and Dan into the team reflects this need.” 

IMPERO’s clients include Jacob’s Creek, Beefeater Gin, Campo Viejo and Lindt Chocolate.