Our Values
Curiosity
Our collective of communications talent is fired by an intense curiosity, drawing from all manner of worlds, to create the most desirable communications pathways for client growth.
Craft
We craft every idea, strategy, recommendation and action with unparalleled care and rigour.
Common Sense
With our practical, no-nonsense approach we help make things easier for our clients in the business and communications choices they have to make.
A Collective of Experts
We revolve around an inner core of 'grown-ups' - experienced former clients and experts - who have deep knowledge of their craft and an ability to define pathways to growth.
Supported by an outer circle of 500+ specialists across 75+ disciplines available on-demand, we help clients globally across a wide range of business & communications challenges - unlocking added commercial value along the way.
The Comms Collective was founded by Paul Bay and Mike Cookson, former clients who understand the internal pressures and goals of a business, and have a wealth of experience advising founders and senior management over the last 20+ years towards greater marketing effectiveness and business growth.
Mike Cookson | Founder, Partner
Curiosity
Hiking & Climbing: The Andes & Himalayas.
Music: House, techno and hip-hop DJ.
Photography: Portraits & street commissions.
Craft
Led some of the best campaigns of Nike’s history.
Founded a youth marketing consultancy at 26.
Helped build hugely successful club night.
Common Sense
Be happy, you’re not here long.
Share your knowledge before it becomes obsolete.
Create dream jobs for others, then you’ll have your dream job.
Paul Bay | Founder, Partner
Curiosity
Law: Completed a part-time law degree.
Music: Promoter/advisor to young jazz artists.
Architectural theory: Links to marketing theory.
Craft
Installed Integrated Communications since 2000.
Coached founders, c-suite and teams globally.
A trusted confidente for industry associates.
Common Sense
Try to listen to others before you speak.
Ask for feedback. It’s how we get better.
Be ok with never being good at something.
David Sanderson | Business Growth & Finance
Curiosity
Running to relax.
Sports tech obsessed.
Testing the latest nutrition fads.
Craft
C-level Finance experience with leading International Brands.
Clear-minded strategic thinker.
Value creator.
Common Sense
2 ears, 1 mouth.....use accordingly.
Always pay attention to the quiet ones.
Trust your instinct; it got you this far.
Ruth Sutherland | Communication Strategy
Curiosity
Environment: Sustainability entrepreneur.
Sports: Marathon finisher; kick boxer.
Trends: Plugged into pop culture.
Craft
Comfortable in agency, corporate & founder hats.
Managed Diageo’s biggest brand partnership with HBO.
Mentor to young women in the industry.
Common Sense
It’s never too late to start something new.
Impossible is just an opinion.
Work hard and be nice to people.
Jon Bains | AI & The Future of Work
Curiosity
Tech: The future can’t happen fast enough.
Games: Navigating the future of gaming.
Music: New commercial models for artists.
Craft
Three decades of awarded digital strategies.
A decade of brand transformation.
Co-founder of collaborative trust networks.
Common Sense
Communication occurs between equals.
If you can’t avoid liars and bullies – beware.
Be excellent to everyone.
Léonie Ford-Miah | Amazon Retail, Media & Content
Curiosity
Antique treasures & their stories.
Product & fabric design.
Youth opportunity & culture.
Craft
Empathy & comprehension, people with data, not one before the other.
Launching The Guardian’s first blog to Amazon Music & Student Prime UK
Manager of youth charity and leader of Erasmus+ programme
Common Sense
ADD hones instinct, manage the benefit.
Put global knowledge to local use.
If it’s not creating happiness, try something else.
Jenny Howard | Brand Strategy & Research
Curiosity
Renovating period properties.
Collecting contemporary British Art.
Travels to India.
Craft
Brand and creative strategy.
Integrated communication strategy.
Audience data, research and insight.
Common Sense
Treat other people how you’d like to be treated.
Actively seek out different perspectives.
Try not to take it all too seriously.
Nathalie Douchez | Organisational Effectiveness
Curiosity
Photography: my passion since 18.
Avid Zwifter: still riding for the Tron Bike.
Health: addicted to nutrition & health podcasts.
Craft
Built in-house digital production structure for Nike.
Facilitator between tech and creative.
Virtual cycling project to get more women into cycling.
Common Sense
Experiment constantly, life is a game.
Adaptation is key. Be water.
A goal without a plan is just a wish.
Pedro Planas | Digital Effectiveness
Curiosity
Gadgets: Can’t leave one without testing.
Sea: Surfer, Kite Surfer, Sailor and Sunbather.
Astrology: founded a business.
Craft
Dressed Christopher Columbus in a FC Barcelona shirt.
Turned e-commerce business around to be the fastest growing in EMEA.
Led 3 Effie award winning campaigns.
Common Sense
Treat others like you would like to be treated.
There is always better, just do your best.
Do not assume, truth is relative.
Nick Vale | Communication Strategy
Curiosity
Bicycles: Building 'fixies' & restoring classic track racers.
Music: Deep House and Dub Techno artist.
Cars: Drive a 1969 Bristol 411.
Craft
Worked with Al Gore to get the Paris Climate Agreement signed.
Co-founded WPP's Maxus, building it to 3,500 people.
Judge of the Young Lions at Cannes.
Common Sense
Use communication to put a smile on someone’s face.
All problems are old, good answers are new.
Find ways to release amazing ideas from your subconscious.
Our Brandmark
The Square
Brackets
An addition of information or editorial comment. Brings greater understanding. Just like us.
The
Ellipsis
An omission of unnecessary information. Brings clarity and simplicity. As do we.
The Comms Collective are grateful to the following photographers for use of their work.
Lille Langebro, Aldo Delara (Unsplash), Tom Meldrum (Unsplash), Drew Dizzy Graham (Unsplash)
Defining Pathways To Growth
London / Amsterdam
since 2019
©2024 The Comms Collective