Sitting comfortably?
Once upon a time, a group of people started a business called Accucard, which they sold to LloydsTSB Group and renamed Create Services. It grew to have two million customers, £200m of income and thirteen direct brands, including Goldfish, MoreTh>n and easyMoney.
By 2003 Create was also acting as internal agency to the Group, handling £13m of digital media and undertaking major creative and design & build projects.
In 2005 some of the leading names behind Create started their own agency. They called it Essence. They had a little helping hand from a chap called Charles Dunstone who had a warehouse full of carphones. The core management team was joined by some new and equally talented people.
Clients were won. Many of them leading names in the digital marketplace like Google, YouTube and eBay.
Awards followed. Billings and headcounts grew.
Essence moved out of their increasingly cramped offices in Waterloo to shiny new ones in Soho.
Like errant Sycamore seeds they even flew across the Atlantic to open up a branch in Manhattan.
But despite all the changes that had taken place, one thing never changed.
Essence never lost its original spirit of entrepreneurship and commercial nous.
So however 'agency' Essence became, they were always aware of their responsibilities to their clients' P&L account.
And they always will be.
Charles Dunstone Carphone Warehouse Group
"I am always proud of all the new businesses I've helped get off the ground and Essence is no different. From the first time I met them I knew they would be able to deliver great results for us. They have made a significant contribution to many parts of our internet businesses across Carphone Warehouse Group. The reputation they have built in the market and the quality of their client base comes as no surprise to me. I wish them well as they continue to grow and thrive."
Charles Dunstone, Founder and Chairman, Carphone Warehouse Group PLC
