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About Us

Essential has been working on Kick-Ass marketing campaigns for clients in the technology channel since 2002

Our Vision, Mission & Purpose

Drawing from years of client-side experience, Founder & CEO, Sam Rudland wanted to establish an agency that really understood its clients and their markets. She envisioned an agency that works hand in hand with clients. Helping them achieve their business goals through the creation of  Kick-Ass campaigns that deliver Kick-Ass results. This vision gave rise to The Essential Agency and our growth has been fuelled by happy clients who get great results from our services.

Our clients include vendors, distributors, resellers, ISVs and disruptive tech start-ups.

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Our Vision

To help create a world where B2B technology companies create effective and engaging content marketing and incentive programmes, that are delivered sustainably.

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Our Mission

To rid the B2B technology sector of poorly performing, and utterly beige content and incentives programmes.

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Our Purpose

To help B2B technology companies to grow through kick-ass marketing programmes that respect people and planet.

Sam Rudland,CEO & Founder

Sam Rudland

Founder / CEO

Sam cut her teeth in the rugged mobile computing space working for a vendor that transitioned from a direct to indirect model…

Sam cut her teeth in the rugged mobile computing space working for a vendor that transitioned from a direct to indirect model. She’s in her element working in the channel.

Sam advises on strategy and planning for clients.

She is passionate about the benefits of fitness and regularly organises team workouts, often accompanied by her two dogs.

We ensure she’s kept plied with a regular flow of coffee which fuels her creativity.

Mike Harrison

Mike Harrison

Solutions Director

Mike is our marketing technology specialist and guru when it comes to strategy and the creative. He has been fortunate to spend over 20 years…

Mike is our marketing technology specialist and guru when it comes to strategy and the creative. He has been fortunate to spend over 20 years in the field of digital marketing both in senior roles and working for clients in the channel. We keep his brains fed on a blend of coffee, crisps and cake.

Marie Hughes

Marie Hughes

Financial Controller

Marie is a chartered accountant with a varied finance background. She laughs at all of Mike’s jokes (no matter how bad!) and…

Marie is a finance chartered accountant with a varied finance background. She laughs at all of Mike’s jokes (no matter how bad!) and resembles a tomato after exercising.

Ed Anderson Stewart

Ed Anderson-Stewart

Head of Channel & Incentives

Ed is a highly experienced technology marketer, with over 20 years spent working for tech organisations both large and small, client-side …

Ed is a highly experienced technology marketer, with over 20 years spent working for tech organisations both large and small, client-side and agency side.

He’s equally at home designing marketing strategy as he is honing copy for PPC ads… and everything in between.

When not collaborating with our clients, you’ll likely find Ed on the tennis court or a football pitch either playing or coaching.

Patrick Brownlee-Smith

Patrick Brownlee-Smith

Head of Content & PR

Patrick has over 20 years experience as a PR and Marketing specialist for tech companies and has worked both client-side and in multiple …

Patrick has over 20 years experience as a PR and Marketing specialist for tech companies and has worked both client-side and in multiple agencies.

He helps clients with content strategy and creation but has also been known to obsess over the use of a semi-colon.

When not working, Patrick likes to spend time with his family, but he also likes open-water swimming and has written one book (so far!).

Nicky Jackson

Nicky Jackson

Senior Account Manager

Nicky is passionate about tech marketing and PR. Having worked for more than 25 years in technology companies, she understands the …

Nicky is passionate about tech marketing and PR.

Having worked for more than 25 years in technology companies, she understands the importance of effective channel marketing strategy to achieve business growth.

When not working on client accounts, Nicky can be found ogling gadgets in Stuff magazine.

Debbie McGowan

Debbie McGowan

Marketing Manager

Debbie is a highly motivated, result-led digital marketeer, having worked in the digital arena since 2006. With a focus on data, Debbie is ad…

Debbie is a highly motivated, result-led digital marketeer, having worked in the digital arena since 2006.

With a focus on data, Debbie is adept at identifying trends and interpreting the data, with the intention to optimise marketing activity.

When not working or entertaining her young family, she can often be found with a large cup of tea and her head buried in a book!

Sarah

Sarah Chidgey

PR Associate

PR is in Sarah’s DNA. She loves all country sports especially horse racing.

PR is in Sarah’s DNA. She loves all country sports especially horse racing.

Sam C

Sam Crowe

Associate PR Director

Sam’s an award-winning PR consultant and advises Essential’s clients on strategy. Sam has a camper van and will spend weekends …

Sam’s an award-winning PR consultant and advises Essential’s clients on strategy.

Sam has a camper van and will spend weekends on adventures with her young family.

Kato

Kato

Head of Security

Kato has a number of key roles. He checks out everyone’s lunch to ensure they are eating a balanced diet, moves his bed in front of the door …

Kato has a number of key roles.

He checks out everyone’s lunch to ensure they are eating a balanced diet, moves his bed in front of the door to stop us leaving early and entertains us with his doggie humour (which is usually funnier than Mike’s).

Archie

Archie

Deputy of Special Projects

While Archie is also on lunch duty, he takes care of cleaning by eliminating any crumbs and gobbling them up. He is also a great communicator …

While Archie is also on lunch duty, he takes care of cleaning by eliminating any crumbs and gobbling them up.

He is also a great communicator, letting everyone know he is happy with our work environment by loudly snoring in his bed.

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