Five Minutes With… Mike Housley
Serendipity2
A data driven marketing agency using data, technology & creativity to help major brands & retailers drive success.
For our first ‘Five Minutes With..’ interview of the year, we spend some time talking to non-executive director, Mike Housley.
Mike is an experienced entrepreneur and marketing professional, having built and sold a number of agencies. He provides a very valuable contribution here at Serendipity2 and we encourage you to spend #5minuteswith to get to know him more:
Q: Hi Mike, please give us a brief snapshot of your career history
A:?After a senior management career with D&B, I established a database marketing agency called DMS. The business expanded to become a full-service agency and was subsequently acquired by Interpublic Group in Chicago.
I then became the MD of Draft Digital, which is a large consumer agency with clients like Mirror Group and the FT. I then co-founded a buying intent SaaS specialist called Cyance in 2007 – this is now part of Expandi Group. It’s an interesting business that helps firms to identify and engage with customers – and prospects – that are in active buying mode.
In 2020, I then set-up direct marketing consultancy Michael Housley Associates and work as a Non Executive Director for Serendipity2 and other companies.
Q: What does your role entail at Serendipity2?
A: I am Non Executive Director and a board advisor, which means I provide an independent view on the running of the business, support with business development, and offer advice relating to governance and boardroom best practice.
Q: What does a ‘typical’ day look like for you?
A: My working days are extremely varied.?One day I can spend my time involved with supporting product development, the next I will be working with sales and marketing or business financing from a strategic planning point of view. I also spend a lot of time networking, keeping up to date on industry news, views and happenings. No one day is the same.
Q: What is an essential ingredient to making your day feel rewarding or accomplished?
A: Since setting up MHA and working with Serendipity2, I’ve enjoyed seeing the growth of the business; the team has expanded, the client-base of high-profile brands is enviable, and the range of services has also expanded.?I’m very proud of the role I have played in supporting the excellent team in its journey and seeing the results they achieve is very rewarding.
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Q: Who or what inspires you in your working life?
A: I find entrepreneurs like Elon Musk inspirational – he’s a visionary who has taken calculated risks in new or emerging markets and become a real success story.
Q: What is your most memorable work moment, or something that you are proud of?
A: I would say it was using my business marketing connections to found a cancer charity fundraising effort that has raised over ￡100K to date.
Q: What do you enjoy the most about your role?
A: It’s multifaceted and always interesting; I love working with the Serendipity2 team and their leadership as they are agile and open to new ideas.?It’s great to help shape the direction of the business, alongside such a professional group of people.
Q: In your opinion, why should retailers or brands talk to Serendipity2?
A: Serendipity2 truly has unrivalled knowledge in the sector; I’m always impressed by the team’s individual and collective experience. That's why many of the biggest brands are already clients!
Q: Outside of work, how do you enjoy spending your time?
A: I enjoy traveling and I am a keen sportsman, which includes playing golf.
Q: Tell us something we may not already know about you.
A: I started life in the Sheffield steel industry in an international market research role - and went through the miners' picket lines! True Yorkshire grit!?