Integration.
It’s always been a bit of a holy grail.

And a lot of companies promise it. But how many can make that promise with hand on heart, rather than fingers crossed?

The truth is, not many.

Even fewer go beyond it. We do.

• Tony Grigg

  CEO

  Graduating with a degree in Economic and Social History, Tony was seduced into advertising by what he considers to be the best recruitment ad ever:
  ‘We will do for the Graduate what the Graduate did for Dustin Hoffman.’

  Sadly, this was not to be the case in the marketing department of the company that ran the ad. And Tony realised his future lay agency-side.

  Joining F John French, which became Osprey Communications, Tony swiftly rose to Board Director level before being headhunted to Ogilvy.

  There he was made responsible first for Ford’s Retail Unit, then Ford of Britain and Ford of Europe before taking global responsibility in 2008.

  Instrumental in formulating the concept and business plan that became Blue Hive, Tony also sits on the Ogilvy Worldwide Board.

  Married with two daughters, Tony loves sport, cars, gadgets and, as an enthusiastic weekend push-biker, garish Lycra.

  

• Paul Confrey

  Managing Director

  Paul’s career began at GM UK where he became their youngest ever car line Marketing Manager (at 25) and Brand Manager (at 28).

  He introduced the world’s first online car purchase system, back in 1999. This programme and other innovations have been profiled in a number of renowned marketing books (most notably by Peppers & Rogers and Rosabeth Kanter).

  In 2001 Paul joined Wunderman as Strategic Planning Director for EMEA, working on Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Unilever, Caterpillar and IBM.

  Later focussing his attention solely on Ford, Paul became Managing Partner then Managing Director for EMEA. He also sat on the Y&R Group Global Ford Executive Committee and the Wunderman EMEA Board before joining Blue Hive at launch.

  A proud parent of two children and proud owner of a Jet Black Vintage ’69 Gibson Flying V guitar, Paul likes to ‘rock out’ in his spare time with his band,
  The Out of Sorts.

  

• Simon Binns

  Managing Director

  Simon joined Ogilvy in 1991 as a graduate trainee and after a seven-year stint at the agency he moved to Delaney Fletcher Bozell as a fully formed Client Service Director.

  Later joining Bartle Bogle Hegarty (as Board Director on the flagship Audi account), Simon helped produce award-winning work for both the Audi TT and RS6 while also setting up Affinity Music; a content, events and music company that serviced agency clients in addition to its own.

  Six years later, Simon returned to Ogilvy as Managing Partner on Ford of Europe – so he brings invaluable knowledge of the business with him to Blue Hive.

  Outside work, Simon’s a council member of the European Association of Communications Agencies, and follows his beloved Man City (as do his Canadian wife and two children, coincidentally).
  He frequently pretends he’s a Premier League player himself – on the public pitches of North London.

  

• Phil Teeman

  Global Media Director
  and Head of Planning

  Phil began his career in 1988 at WCRS before moving to O&M, where became Director of O&M Media and Media Director for the Czech Republic.

  In 1998, Phil was hired as VP of Advertising Sales EMEA at Discovery Networks where sales income quadrupled and new offices were established in Warsaw, Copenhagen and Amsterdam.

  Returning to WPP in 2003, Phil helped develop the Unilever business at Mindshare to encompass 35 markets. He was also instrumental in retaining the

  account during the industry’s largest-ever pitch. Come May 2010 and Phil joined Blue Hive with responsibility for Global Media and European Planning, while also sitting on the Mindshare Worldwide ExCo.

  Phil’s married with two children and lets his hair down by burning through the leafy lanes of Kent on his pride and joy: a KTM 950 Supermoto.

  

• Greg Burke

  Executive Creative Director

  Greg was born and raised in Johannesburg and spent over 30 prolific years working in the South African ad industry – many of them at Ogilvy/RS-TM.

  While forging his creative reputation there, Greg gained extensive management experience too, joining the board of Ogilvy Cape Town (as joint ECD) and, later, Ogilvy South Africa.

  Greg’s won numerous awards, including Cannes Gold, Silver and Bronze, and no less than eight Loerie Grand Prix.

  His proudest moments? Ogilvy South Africa being named Ad Age’s Global Agency of the Year. Twice.

  Joining Blue Hive from Ogilvy London, Greg has already created a portfolio of memorable work, including the global launch campaign for the new Focus – Ford’s first global car.

  Aside from his passion for advertising, Greg’s a sports addict, music fan, avid reader and keen gardener. He’s married, has two daughters and lives in North London.

  

• Joelle Stanford

  Finance Director

  With an International Business Studies degree behind her, Joelle initially entered the world of auditing. And although she gained ‘invaluable’ experience (while qualifying as a Chartered Accountant), design/advertising seemed more alluring and Joelle joined WPP in 1998.

  She was quickly promoted from Financial Accountant at WPP to Financial Controller at Ogilvy, before becoming Finance Director at United London.

  She’s held similarly senior posts (at Board Level) at design consultancies Landor and Coley Porter Bell, as well as at Ogilvy Primary Contact.

  At every agency, Joelle’s established initiatives that have delivered more efficient processes, great
  cost-efficiencies and, of course, profit.

  In addition to her devotion to Blue Hive, Joelle is a devoted mum to twin daughters. So it’s perhaps no wonder that she states her interests away from the office as: twins.

  

• Ivan Mason

  Global Operations Director

  Quickly realising that stock control and logistics were not for him, Ivan joined agency Wakefield Chegwin as Account Executive in 1992.

  Career ambitions and passions ignited, he moved on to Osprey Park, then Publicis Technology where he ran the Pan-Euro Olivetti account.

  Joining Ogilvy in 1999 to work on Ford’s Dealer Business, Ivan went on to lead the European Small Car, Commercial Vehicles and UEFA Champions League sponsorship teams.

  More recently, he ran the £60m Ford of Britain business and has worked on Berghaus and SABMiller.

  At Blue Hive, Ivan’s part of Global Team Ford and has recently overseen 50 TVC, 28 print and countless digital executions to support the new Focus launch worldwide. (So his stock control and logistics background has proved useful after all.)

  Ivan is married, has two children and lists squash, the occasional run and cooking as his hobbies.