Feature

Campaign Annual 2007: Top 10 Digital Talent

1. Lee Wright, managing director, Dare

Probably at the top of any ad agency's wishlist, Wright is that relative rarity in digital - comfortable enough to be impressive in front of any senior client. She's also got years of specialist experience and is well-connected both in and out of her industry. Unfortunately for the headhunters, she's also pretty happy where she is.

2. Nigel Morris, chief executive, Isobar

The man behind arguably the biggest digital network in the world has had his critics, but has undeniably succeeded in making digital intrinsic to the success of its parent company, Aegis. His entrepreneurial streak, some would argue, might be put to better use as boss of his own agency.

3. Gavin Gordon-Rogers, creative director, Agency Republic

The recently appointed creative director has been pivotal in turning around his agency's reputation and is the brains behind some of Agency Republic's - and the UK's - best uses of digital technology. He might be a bit scruffy, but Gordon-Rogers is the young creative that everyone in digital wants to hire.

4. Amelia Torode, head of digital strategy, VCCP

The ex-Naked digital planner is one of the brightest in the business and has been instrumental, along with Steve Vranakis, in VCCP's ongoing transformation into one of the most media-neutral ad agencies in town.

5. Seb Royce, creative director, glue London

Royce's contribution to glue is sometimes overshadowed by Mark Cridge, its chief executive, but his passion for what he does and his undoubted talent make him hot property in the digital market. Can be a bit hot- headed, but that's all part of his charm.

6. Ed Ling, strategy development director, i-level

A veritable veteran of online, Ling has stayed true to i-level since 1999, when he joined as its first employee. The man behind the agency's success in building specialised online media planning and buying services would be an asset to any business.

7. Charlie Cannell, director of digital services, Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO

The ex-LBi client services director and BT digital client can talk the hind legs off a donkey, and his popularity within AMV is helping to make digital thinking more central to the way the agency works. Has a tough job ahead of him, but the juggernaut already seems to be turning.

8. Claire Valoti, business director, MindShare Interaction

One of the few people within UK agencies that can genuinely claim to be an expert in mobile marketing, Valoti has run a number of trial campaigns using different formats for MindShare clients and is in exactly the right place to capitalise once the mobile market opens up.

9. Iain Tait, partner, Poke

Author of the popular "crackunit" (www.crackunit.com) blog, Tait is not a fan of trade titles or of traditional ad agencies, but despite this lapse in taste, he's a smart cookie. He describes himself as a creative strategic planner, which really means he's a clever thinker who likes to get involved in everything.

10. Dominic Goldman, digital creative director, Bartle Bogle Hegarty

A relative unknown on this side of the Atlantic, Goldman has years of experience and awards galore to his name from his time at Hal Riney, Goodby Silverstein & Partners and Ogilvy in Singapore. He also paints a mean trainer.

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