Ben Hayes

Grasp

Director

December 2017 - present

Grasp helps startups and founders define the who, what, where and how of their communications. So that when they’re talking to potential customers, partners or investors they’re clear, concise and charismatic. - Brand stories and values - Company, investor and sales materials - Websites, landing pages, and UX copy - Adverts (social, display, print, billboard) - CRM copy (emails, newsletters, notifications) - Blog posts, reports, whitepapers, and case studies - Taglines, and product and packaging descriptions - Video scripts and press releases

Startupbootcamp

Chief Marketing Officer

February 2016 - February 2018•startupbootcamp.org/

Startupbootcamp IoT is a startup growth program helping 'Internet of Things' and hardware startups validate, build and scale their companies. Main responsibilities: - Created a global profile for the accelerator, positioning it as the go-to place for any startup working on an IoT device looking to grow their business. - During a 3-month program (run once a year) managed and led the development of up to 10 selected startups on a daily basis, providing each startup with strategic growth strategies and support. - Analysed areas of weakness and opportunity within each startup, connecting them to appropriate resources or personally running training workshops on areas such as category design, investor relations and fundraising, or press relations. - Liaised with corporate partners of the accelerator (such as Cisco, Inmarsat and UCL) to help them create internal innovation programs amongst their stakeholders or generate marketing opportunities. - Designed events to build relationships with investors and the startup ecosystem in London. This included organising an Investor Week and Demo Day for each program. - Prepared startups for their 5-minute pitch at Demo Day and subsequent investor conversations, helping them with their financial model, fundraising ask, storytelling, content delivery and stage presence.

The DDA Group

Chief Innovation Officer & Board Member

March 2014 - February 2016

Main Responsibilities: - Founded and managed the Group's Digital arm, winning new business in both Europe and the US to manage a client’s web development, social media strategy, influencer programs, content creation and data reporting. - Led a cross-functional team of four people, designing the required operational processes to ensure efficient and effective work. - Managed key client relationships with studios including Universal, Disney and Studiocanal, and brands such as HP, Sony and the European Space Agency. - Used new technologies and platforms to identify and implement fresh areas of business growth across the agency. - As part of the Board of Directors was responsible for building company culture and communicating agency’s vision to 50+ staff members in the UK and US.

BORN SOCIAL

Managing Director

September 2011 - February 2014

Main Responsibilities: - As the first hire of a youth marketing agency called The Eleven, worked with the two Founders to create BORN SOCIAL, a separate product offering focused solely on social media management. - Ensured smooth running of daily operations which included managing the agency’s twelve staff, hiring processes, training practices and client relationships. - Identified, pitched for and won new business. - Established early agency vision and culture.

The Eleven

Account Director

July 2010 - September 2012

I looked after the social media presence for the company’s main clients, as well as handling The Eleven media team at events such as the MOBO Awards and Wireless Festival. This involved working both in the UK and abroad to create video collateral for brands including Adidas, Urban Outfitters, Timex and Smiley.