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The BD100 Biz Dev 100 Marketing

The Biz Dev 100: Leona Miles, business development director, Bluesoup

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By The Drum, Editorial

November 9, 2018 | 4 min read

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Welcome to The Biz Dev 100, powered by The BD 100, which aims to recognize and celebrate important role played in the media and marketing industry by those who source and bring in new customers and keep the fortunes of businesses on track.

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Leona Miles: Bluesoup

Below is Leona Miles, one of those at the top of their field who work in the UK biz dev sector.

Name: Leona Miles

Job Title: business development director

Agency: Bluesoup

What were your highlights of last year?

I spent most of 2017 on maternity leave. So the highlight for me was being a mother to my daughter, Tabitha. But in terms of professional highlights I worked right up until my due date and so it was really great to hear about the new clients we'd won grow and develop as a result of all our hard work into 2017.

What has been your most memorable win - and why?

My most memorable win has to be a large travel client we won at the end of 2016. I had spent over a year speaking to the client; developing ideas, getting to know them and what was important to their business. We built up a really great relationship, so when we officially won their media buying after a pitch it was a wonderful feeling to know we'd be working with each other long term.

How would you describe your approach to business development?

Leave no stone unturned. I file & date absolutely everything and whilst I'd say my approach is fairly soft - if it is a win we want I don't give up until it's I've been told it's a definite no!

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

I started my career off in media sales and felt quite overwhelmed by a lot of my colleagues who were louder and pushier than me. But my boss at the time just told me to be myself and she was right, if I'd tried to be loud and shouty I wouldn't have sold a single page of advertising.

What would be your number one tip to anyone starting in business development?

To never take rejection personally. There will be plenty of nos and pitch losses, but you just have to learn from each experience and use that to your advantage in the next pitch.

What is your new business soundtrack?

ABBA - Take a chance on me

Brands looking to appoint a new agency should look to The Drum Recommends for help. The Drum Recommends offers reviews of agency partners by their own clients to offer insights to the rest of the industry when hiring.

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