The Biz Dev 100: Caroline Sparks, managing partner, Dare
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.
Caroline Sparks: Dare
Below is Caroline Sparkes, one of those at the top of their field who work in the UK biz dev sector.
Name: Caroline Sparkes
Job Title: managing partner
Agency: Dare
What were your highlights of last year?
Pitching like crazy at my previous role at Critical Mass with an 80% consideration and over 50% conversion rate. Being appointed to BIMA as the chair of the Marcomms council; Moving to a new role at Dare to be Managing Partner in charge of growth across clients and new business.
What has been your most memorable win - and why?
Winning Gap at Momentum UK. We pitched it using a small non-senior team who were massively passionate about the brief, gave them automomy and let them go crazy. They nailed it and won on the spot. It showed that agency pitch rules are there to be broken.
How would you describe your approach to business development?
The right team getting to the right answer in the right way. Its all about teamwork - there are no heroes in pitching.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Read the brief every day.
What would be your number one tip to anyone starting in business development?
Treat it as a career, not a stepping stone. Business Development is massively rewarding if you are in it for the long term.
What is your new business soundtrack?
Build me up Buttercup
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.
Content created with:
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The BD100
The UK’s 100 most influential business developers, The BD100 recognises the talent – in-house and consultant, managers and foot soldiers – leading the charge...
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