FORMER SAMSUNG AND OPTUS EXEC SPARKS ‘UPROAR’
Announcement posted by Uproar Marketing 22 Jun 2017
New agency promises no-nonsense approach for small and challenger brands seeking results
Sydney, Australia, June 22, 2017 – Uproar Marketing today announced that it has officially opened its doors for business. The Sydney-based agency is led by former Samsung and Optus executive Brendan Sparks and will focus on small and challenger brands. The newly formed agency will offer a full suite of marketing services and solutions from a team of marketing professionals and promises a straight forward, no-nonsense approach that combines the strategy and execution that Sparks believes in sorely missing from current offerings in the market.
On why anyone would choose to hang out a shingle in a market currently perceived as saturated with a glut of agencies, all promising to make a difference, Brendan Sparks, owner and Managing Director, had the following to say:
“My perception of the current agency environment is that many of these businesses are more interested in building their bottom line than they are helping their clients to grow. Most especially, I’ve grown tired of ‘marketing lingo’ and an attitude to clients that largely ignores the journey many small and challenger businesses face, instead choosing to focus on the sexier and decidedly more lucrative elements of the marketing mix.”
“When Uproar was conceived, there were several things I knew I wanted to achieve. Firstly, create a full-service marketing agency aimed at small and challenger brands and the entire journey. It’s about getting the fundamentals right, not just the sexy stuff, which is more often than not also short-term. There is a time and place for SEO and digital agencies, but they don’t have the breadth of skill required to help challenger brands develop profitable businesses.”
“Secondly, I wanted to create a no-nonsense environment that was more about giving direct advice to clients and give small businesses access to experienced business builders that actually know what they are doing,” added Sparks.
Uproar’s model is quite simple and in keeping with this approach. Bring together some of the most successful marketeers in Australia, and at any given time, provide scalable solutions for small businesses no matter where they are at in their development, whether it be getting that first website up to some of the more sophisticated marketing services offered by Uproar.
Brendan Spark’s pedigree is evident. Having successfully navigated a 20+ year career spanning marketing services across the full B2C and B2B spectrum, the effusive father of two has worked for such notable IT/tech brands as Samsung, Belkin and Optus in senior management roles encapsulating marketing and sales.
Well-known in the industry, Sparks’ move to the agency world comes after such notable career achievements as launching 3D and Smart TV for Samsung and taking the brand to No. 1 in Australia for several TV segments. Other achievements included moving Optus into the dominant player for Satellite Telephony for Australia, as well as achieving No. 1 for Belkin’s mobile accessories in Australia.
When asked how he would describe his vision for the new company, Sparks commented:
“For me, it is all about satisfaction from a job well done. I was surprised to find so many small business customers that had been given recommendations by an agency for a solution or campaign that in the end delivered next to nothing. We are looking at long term growth and profitability for our customers – not just a few hits on a website. I can’t tell you how truly satisfying it is when a business you’ve been working with starts to achieve success,” he said.
Having grown up in a small town just outside of Tamworth, Sparks appreciates the plight of ‘challengers’ and is unashamedly direct in his interactions with clients.
“While I’ve been fortunate to have travelled the world and worked for some fantastic brands, I am still a country boy at heart. I think this has informed my no-nonsense approach and a preference to communicate on a level that de-mystifies the marketing process and helps our clients make smarter and more informed decisions,” added Sparks.
Uproar has also announced several foundation clients including Huepoint (commercial interiors), Louise Greco (fashion designer) and Impact (conveyancing) to name a few.
Brendan’s Career At a Glance
For further information or to speak with Brendan, please contact:
Phillip Anderson
Closer Communications
0481 866 036
phillip@closer.com.au
On why anyone would choose to hang out a shingle in a market currently perceived as saturated with a glut of agencies, all promising to make a difference, Brendan Sparks, owner and Managing Director, had the following to say:
“My perception of the current agency environment is that many of these businesses are more interested in building their bottom line than they are helping their clients to grow. Most especially, I’ve grown tired of ‘marketing lingo’ and an attitude to clients that largely ignores the journey many small and challenger businesses face, instead choosing to focus on the sexier and decidedly more lucrative elements of the marketing mix.”
“When Uproar was conceived, there were several things I knew I wanted to achieve. Firstly, create a full-service marketing agency aimed at small and challenger brands and the entire journey. It’s about getting the fundamentals right, not just the sexy stuff, which is more often than not also short-term. There is a time and place for SEO and digital agencies, but they don’t have the breadth of skill required to help challenger brands develop profitable businesses.”
“Secondly, I wanted to create a no-nonsense environment that was more about giving direct advice to clients and give small businesses access to experienced business builders that actually know what they are doing,” added Sparks.
Uproar’s model is quite simple and in keeping with this approach. Bring together some of the most successful marketeers in Australia, and at any given time, provide scalable solutions for small businesses no matter where they are at in their development, whether it be getting that first website up to some of the more sophisticated marketing services offered by Uproar.
Brendan Spark’s pedigree is evident. Having successfully navigated a 20+ year career spanning marketing services across the full B2C and B2B spectrum, the effusive father of two has worked for such notable IT/tech brands as Samsung, Belkin and Optus in senior management roles encapsulating marketing and sales.
Well-known in the industry, Sparks’ move to the agency world comes after such notable career achievements as launching 3D and Smart TV for Samsung and taking the brand to No. 1 in Australia for several TV segments. Other achievements included moving Optus into the dominant player for Satellite Telephony for Australia, as well as achieving No. 1 for Belkin’s mobile accessories in Australia.
When asked how he would describe his vision for the new company, Sparks commented:
“For me, it is all about satisfaction from a job well done. I was surprised to find so many small business customers that had been given recommendations by an agency for a solution or campaign that in the end delivered next to nothing. We are looking at long term growth and profitability for our customers – not just a few hits on a website. I can’t tell you how truly satisfying it is when a business you’ve been working with starts to achieve success,” he said.
Having grown up in a small town just outside of Tamworth, Sparks appreciates the plight of ‘challengers’ and is unashamedly direct in his interactions with clients.
“While I’ve been fortunate to have travelled the world and worked for some fantastic brands, I am still a country boy at heart. I think this has informed my no-nonsense approach and a preference to communicate on a level that de-mystifies the marketing process and helps our clients make smarter and more informed decisions,” added Sparks.
Uproar has also announced several foundation clients including Huepoint (commercial interiors), Louise Greco (fashion designer) and Impact (conveyancing) to name a few.
Brendan’s Career At a Glance
- 2014 - 2017: Optus - Marketing Director
- 2011 – 2014: Belkin – Head of ANZ Marketing
- 2008 – 2011: Samsung – TV Product Marketing Manager
- 2007 – 2008: Fuji Xerox Printers - APAC Marketing Manager
- 2002 – 2007: Canon - Group Marketing Manager
- 2000 – 2002: Konica Minolta - Trade Marketing Exec
For further information or to speak with Brendan, please contact:
Phillip Anderson
Closer Communications
0481 866 036
phillip@closer.com.au