FMCG marketing consultancy, Big Black Door, marks 100% growth, account win and ‘dream hire’

Business headed up by ex-Weetabix head of marketing, Gareth Turner, exceeds year one turnover target.

Just 18 months after opening, Big Black Door is celebrating several milestones. Founded by ex-Weetabix head of marketing Gareth Turner, the business has already achieved triple digit growth, bolstered its team, and recently added The Wine Society to its impressive client roster.

The consultancy, which brings board-level marketing experience to FMCG food and drink brands, already counts brands like The Sauce Shop, Spoon Cereals and Hall & Woodhouse, amongst its clients and is on track to reach a quarter of a million turnover this time next year, having exceeded its year 1 targets.

Raising a glass with The Wine Society

As part of this rapid growth, Gareth and the team have on-boarded the world’s oldest member-owned community of wine lovers, The Wine Society. The team will be working together to refine The Wine Society’s brand positioning and long-term marketing strategy, to grow its membership.

Gareth commented: “I’ve proudly been a member of the Wine Society since 2012, when it was my leaving gift from Heineken, and I have gifted membership myself a couple of times since. This brief is a perfect example of the two reasons I created Big Black Door; to make a significant difference to businesses I admire, and to work with good people. I can’t wait to get started.”

Welcoming Vicky Murray

To service the expanding business, Big Black Door has recruited a new lead consultant, Vicky Murray. She joins with 15 years’ experience in brand marketing, insight and strategy. Previously holding roles at Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate, and Ainsley Harriott Foods, Vicky and Gareth have worked together for over ten years at Arla Foods and then as a freelancer. Gareth describes Vicky as his ‘dream hire.’

Vicky commented: “It’s a brilliant time to join Big Black Door. The business is motoring and I’m so lucky to work with such a great team of BBDers and client partners. The projects so far have been so much fun that they can barely be described as work!  I’m looking forward to helping our business and our clients’ businesses flourish.”

Vicky is the business’ second permanent employee, with the core team supported by a wider collective of experts.

Gareth concluded: “We work by the ethos “marketers assemble,” bringing the right expertise as needed. Our not-so-little black book is full of board level marketers and world class agencies with an array of experience, who we call on as required.”

Alongside founding Big Black Door, Gareth Turner is also non-executive director at Newcastle based media agency, Route. He is one of the speakers at IFE Manufacturing, part of Food and Drink Hospitality Week in March at London’s Excel.

Source: Big Black Door

  Agency, Big Black Door, Gareth Turner, Marketing, Vicky Murray