SWOT Judges
Alex Marks
Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions, UK
Alex Marks is Head of Marketing for Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions where he and his team are responsible for all the b2b marketing activities for Microsoft’s portfolio of advertising platforms.
In this role Alex’s chief focus is to ensure that a holistic trade marketing approach is maintained across the multiple advertising platforms - including, the recently launched Microsoft adCenter, Windows Live, Xbox and Microsoft Office Live. He works in close collaboration with the sales team ensuring the effective communication with the advertising community
Alex has over 12 years agency and client side experience across a broad range of clients and sectors, including telecommunications, broadcast and tourism. Prior to joining Microsoft, Alex worked at digital media agency i-level, where he was Marketing & New Business Director, responsible for developing the marketing strategy for the group, along with marketing communications and new business.
He is a regular commentator and conference speaker on digital marketing issues and a member of the IAB leadership council.
His interests include music, running and martial arts, all of which he is still allowed to regularly indulge despite the parental responsibilities for his two sons.
David Craik
s1
Douglas McArthur OBE
Planning for Results
Planning for Results – Managing Consultant
After Graduating in Maths and Physics, Douglas followed an FMCG Marketing career with Procter & Gamble, Scottish and Newcastle and Campbell’s Soups.
He then had a successful career as an Account Planner in several major agencies.
Douglas has since founded four successful businesses - the best known being the Radio Advertising Bureau. Following 14 years leading and sustaining radio’s revenue share growth from 2% to 7%, Douglas stood down from an executive role in the RAB in May 2006 to return to his consultancy – Planning for Results.
PFR has built a client list that includes major media businesses such as COI, OFCOM, Aegis Media, DDS and GCap. Fuller information on www.planningforresults.com
Douglas has been awarded fellowships of the Radio Academy and the Cam Foundation. In the New Years Honours 2001 he was awarded the OBE for “Services to the Radio Advertising Bureau”.
Douglas’s keenest interest is in the Arts and has served as a Council Member of the Arts Council.
Douglas is a non-exec director of IMD Plc.
Garry MacLaren Dip.M FCIM
Rad Sheep Sportswear
Garry is a Chartered Marketer with over 30 years Sales and Marketing experience in healthcare, industrial, sports and micro businesses.
He is Managing Director of RAD SHEEP SPORTSWEAR, a specialist UK manufacturer of custom made kits for ice hockey, lacrosse, rugby and cricket teams.
Garry is the Honorary President of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) North West Regional Board, having previously served as its chairman for 6 years since its inception in 2000.
Under his leadership, the North West has won both the ‘Best Managed Region’ (2005) and ‘Best Programme of Events’ (2006) at the annual CIM International Chairmen’s Conference.
He represents CIM on the NWDA’s Regional Marketing Forum and the Private Sector Partners NW (PSP).
Malcolm Warrall
Smith & Nephew Medical Ltd
Susan Hart
Strathclyde University
Currently Vice Dean (Research) at Strathclyde Business School, Susan has worked for a variety of private sector companies, including Honeywell, Johnson and Johnson, Royal Bank of Scotland, McDonalds UK. She advises Scottish Enterprise on the role of marketing and innovation in the Scottish Economy, was an Advisory Board member for McDonald’s UK and is currently a Director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. She sits on the Executive Committee of the Academy of Marketing and previously on the Senate of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. She is a Fellow of the Marketing Society. She is editor of the Journal of Marketing Management, is a member of The Journal of Product Innovation Management editorial board. Her research areas of interest include product development and innovation, marketing and competitive success and marketing performance measurement and CRM, which have been supported by grants from the Leverhulme Trust, Economic and Social Research Council, Science and Engineering Research Council, Design Council Scotland and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
A regular contributor to Executive programmes globally, including Executive MBA in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Executive Education programmes on new product and service development for Maastricht Business School and University College, Dublin.
Her recent publications include The Marketing Book and Product Strategy and Management, co-authored with Michael Baker.