Strategic and creative advisory firm Blurred was launched at the end of 2018 by Unity co-founder Nik Govier, alongside former Brands2Life deputy consumer managing director Katy Stolliday; Stuart Lambert, previously strategy and creative director at Weber Shandwick; and former Unity and Tin Man finance director Emma Weisgard – a team of founders with bags of experience. The core team of comms ‘problem-solvers’ is flanked by ‘consulting’ and ‘creative’ cohorts, brought in when needed.
The consultancy's work is built on the principles of ESGP – Environment, Social, Governance and Purpose – and its 'top-heavy' (and cost-heavy) leadership team is paying dividends, with a portfolio of clients that already includes the likes of The Coca-Cola Company, UBS, Marriott, LVMH Paris, BT Group and Lidl.
In September 2019 Blurred committed to work only with businesses that support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and, since then, has persuaded nine other businesses to pledge to take action. Helping clients align with more of these goals has become a fundamental part of the business. Behind this vision was a desire to deliver for clients, employees and shareholders the 'holy trinity' of an effective, profitable, and sustainable business – where people would flourish, not burn out.
Results have been impressive. Fee income for the first year was just under £1.2m, and Blurred made a healthy profit, despite starting so heavily in the red (with one small client and a large board/founding team). To date this year it has not fallen below £100,000 of fees a month – strong numbers, but "not at the expense of its people… it’s because the model is working".
Judge's comment
Impressive vision, passion and delivery from a clearly talented team.
Highly commended
Ovid Health
From a standing start with zero clients in August 2018, Ovid has added 14 to its portfolio, with an average time span of six-and-a-half months with each. This diverse – 60 per cent of employees are women and 40 per cent from BAME backgrounds – new agency has exceeded its fee targets despite the pandemic. “Amazing… I would recommend Ovid to anyone," enthused the chief executive of client The Eve Appeal.
Also shortlisted
Broadcast Revolution
