Space appoints Jim Carless as head of brand experience

Creative agency Space has appointed Jim Carless to the newly created role of head of brand experience.

Carless, formerly head of client services at Space, is charged with accelerating the growth of the agency’s brand experience proposition across its existing client portfolio, which includes Heineken, William Grant & Sons, Arla, UEFA and Wimbledon, whilst also attracting new client business. The agency, which also provides its clients with advertising, digital, social media and shopper marketing expertise, is seeing a growing appetite for more strategically-led, immersive brand experiences.

The 30-strong independent agency, which grew its gross income by over 90% in 2016, has an established pedigree in creating memorable brand experiences. Space has been responsible for the prestigious Wimbledon brand experience for the past five years, has been running the Moretti Gran Tour Italian street food events for the past three years and delivered last year’s high profile UEFA Euro 2016 trophy tour across France. The agency also helped launch Arla B.O.B, recently voted Product of the Year in the dairy category, with extensive experiential support and produced a virtual reality distillery tour for Glenfiddich which is currently being activated across over 20 markets worldwide.

Jim Carless comments: “With brands continuing to struggle for consumer attention and show a more empathetic side, marketers are increasingly seeing the benefits of inviting their audiences to experience their brand in a more tangible way. Experiential allows consumers a multi-sensory experience that no other medium can offer. And, here at Space, we are well-placed to provide brand owners with the expertise they require given our credentials in this area.”

Carless has worked in the industry for over 15 years and has extensive experience creating both domestic and international campaigns for brand owners in the FMCG, drinks, automotive, sport and entertainment sectors. He joined Space in 2013 and in his new role will report into managing partners David Atkinson and Jason Nicholas.