Blonde's ambition extends to London

BLONDE Digital, the Edinburgh-based full-service strategic consultancy group, has opened a base in London - just eight months after setting up in the Scottish capital.

The move comes as the business - a joint venture between two Cello-owned companies, The Leith Agency and Navigator Responsive Advertising - targets a first-year turnover of £1 million on the back of a rapid succession of UK-wide client wins.

Blonde, which employs 15 people in Edinburgh, has appointed Phil Dearson, previously partner and planning director at DC Interact - now known as Altogether Digital, part of the Engine Group - to head up the London office and join Blonde's board.

Mr Dearson will be helped by existing Blonde director Phil Adams, who will be splitting his time between The Leith Agency - where he is also a director - to provide strategic planning and new business development input for an initial team of around five in London.

Since it was set up in September 2006, Blonde has pulled in a number of key clients, including blue chips such as HBoS and Standard Life, as well as US insurance giant AIG, beer groups Coors and Grolsch, electronics group Sony and fund manager Baillie Gifford, as well as the NHS.

Industry veteran Pete Burns, the managing director of Blonde, said the agency, which specialises in online advertising, interactive marketing, website design, web development and content management, had become profitable after just two months. "It's been full-on ever since we started," he said.

And he forecast first-year revenues would exceed the £1m level as the firm continued to invest in its growth and develop its creative and technical capabilities.

"From day one we knew that our strategic, creative and technical expertise were unrivalled and our success to date has backed that up," said Mr Burns.

Mr Burns said as an ambitious, young agency, it had always been Blonde's intention to strike into London's fast-growing digital scene. But with recruitment of suitably skilled and creative staff an issue for the industry, the timing had to be right. "We looked for a long time to find the right person and Phil's a great addition to the team with a track record in growing successful businesses and delivering award-winning campaigns.

"I believe the London office will be our big chance to grow the business. In terms of business growth, we'd expect around two-thirds to come from London."

Mr Burns added: "We're confident that the next 12 months will see us building on the success of our first year. I would like to see turnover at least doubling."

Mr Adams said: "When Blonde was just a twinkle in our eye we had a hard look at the UK digital scene and identified that the consumer and brand planning function is significantly under-represented. We were keen to ensure planning and strategy are major strengths of Blonde. That's why I'm here, to help ensure our 'high concept' thinking is as strong as our design and technical skills."