The Ad Plain - Our People

We are human beings with skill, knowledge, compassion and a love of life.

We are an agency of tech-heads, detail eagles, writers, artists, planners, optimisers and optimists. Individually we are good, but together we are something else. Taking skills to one side for a moment, you know that the most successful agency/client relationships are based on understanding and chemistry. If there is empathy and friendship then there is dedication and trust.

We pride ourselves on being who we are and we are not afraid to champion ideas we truly believe in.

Nikki Harrison

Operations Co-ordinator

About Me

On leaving school, I thought a career in Pensions would be exciting. After many years I realised that I needed a more challenging career... so I took a break and had 3 children.

I have since then worked for several different Organisations building up a wealth of knowledge along the way... as they say variety is the spice of life!

My Favourites

Achievement:

Raised 3 Children who all successfully have managed to fly the nest and stand on their own feet which allows me to have time to indulge in my favourite activities such as roaming around the countryside and finding new Country Pubs along the way.

Fear:

Heights!!! Already done a Bungee Jump but decided to do a skydive to finally overcome this … loved it so much want to do another one.. Skydive that is not Bungee Jump … ticked that box and never again!!

Food:

Anything with mushrooms in it…(detest Cherries! )

Place:

It has to be Hong Kong … loved everything about the culture, diversity as well as the Food

Animal:

Alpacas – great fun walking them!

Music:

I have a fairly eclectic choice of music which I listen to. I still tend to veer back to the old 80’s - Echo and the Bunny Men, Teardrop Explodes, OMD, but not adverse to listening to current music too.

Sharon Bristow

Media Manager

About Me

I’ve worked in marketing and advertising since leaving university, with much of my career spent in full-service advertising agencies. I’ve gained experience working in B2B and B2C and in many different sectors too; from healthcare and pharmaceuticals to oil and gas to agriculture. More recently I’ve worked with start-ups and created a charity too. I love the diversity of advertising, love that no two days are the same and love that there’s always opportunity to learn something new.

My Favourites

Social Media:

Instagram

Cocktail:

Mojito

Books:

The Kite Runner

Film:

Roadhouse (Big Patrick Swayze fan!)

Early Job:

Flipping burgers at McDonalds

Pastimes:

Singing in The Military Wives Choir or spending time with family and friends.

Deborah Laird

Account Manager

About Me

Having grown up on a beef and arable farm, I studied Business Management and Marketing at Harper Adams, which included a placement year in Sales & Marketing at a gin distillery.

I have worked in B2C digital marketing and have come to TAP with plenty of agency experience. I love that I can combine marketing with an industry I love!

My Favourites

Book:

The Light Between Oceans

Job:

Picking potatoes on the family farm in Lincolnshire

Past Times:

Baking, cooking and long walks with the dogs, preferably at the beach

Country:

Italy. Mainly for the food!

Duncan Murray-Clarke

Group Managing Director

About Me

I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I was leaving school – honestly! I started working in an advertising agency when I was 18 and haven’t looked back.

30+ years later I am still loving what I do. Every year has been completely different, apart from the fact that I am consistently still learning.

Instagram

My Favourites

Ad Campaign:

There are loads and loads but probably “Whasssup!” by Budweiser. So simple I know but it did go completely viral before viral was truly invented. And because it was so striking, maybe Yul Brynner for The American Cancer Society which aired the day after his death.

Pastimes:

Actually growing things to eat in the garden – not great at it but helps me switch off. As well as running whilst litter picking (plogging), flying drones has also been my lockdown “thing” and I love it (Instagram @TAPintodrones). However, I'm far more likely to be running around after the two kids.

Icon:

VW Beetle, The Beatles (not related), Albert Einstein (sorry that’s three but I could go on and on…)

Film:

Star Wars episode IV (so that’s the first one…)

Country:

Mexico, for all its complexities, food, friendliness, beauty and character. Mexico is that naughty, misunderstood, fun uncle. Spain is also amazing and it’s not all about the beaches…

Early Job:

Age 13 working at the village farm stacking bales and trying to keep up with the baler, well before Health & Safety became fashionable.

Rob Hayman

Digital Design Lead

About Me

My background is marketing and advertising graphic design, with 15 years experience above and below the line.

I specialise in branding but can still code up a storm given a good pair of headphones.

My Favourites

Fonts:

Helvetica Nue & Salome Fine

Logos:

V&A Museum & Lego

Trainers:

Nike Jordan IV’s

Film:

The Big Labowski

Walk:

Tryfan, Snowdonia

Country:

Canada

Cars:

AC Cobra & McLaren 720S

Book:

Watership Down

Flower:

Monkey Face Orchid

Liz Tomkinson

Account Director

About Me

I was lucky to have a diverse upbringing, split between UK and the States. Armed with my BASIS qualification, I forged a commercial and technical career in Crop Protection, before moving to EMEA Digital Communication Leader. Combining my knowledge of Ag with the digital and creative expertise of TAP means I get the best of both worlds resulting in a career - within an industry - that I truly love!

My Favourites

Drink:

Anything with gin, bubbles and an umbrella

Pastimes:

Skiing

Life Moment:

The day child 3 was born, an absolute feeling of completeness

TV Show:

This is Us

Films:

Guardians of the Galaxy 2 & The Breakfast Club

Random Fact:

I went to the same high school as Madonna. Not at the same time!

Iain Robinson

Graphic Designer

About Me

Took art lessons at the age of 11 (paid for by cleaning their art studio on a Saturday morning). Started as a paste-up artist at 16 with an Ad agency. I was head-hunted at 18 to run a studio at a local printer; there I worked on everything from repro-graphics, printing and finishing, even made a few cups of tea again!

I have over 40 years’ experience in creative design, print, illustration, art direction and photography for clients including: British American Tobacco, British Airways, EasyJet and other airlines within the travel retail industry, above and below the line.

My passion for music led me to DJ-ing from an early age; and I still throw down tunes 45 years later - in clubs and at parties; and for everything from celeb weddings, private and corporate gigs to music quizzes.

I really love working with the team at TAP, sharing creative ideas and working on some great campaigns.

My Favourites

Drink:

Guinness & coffee (not at the same time though)

Book:

Big fan of Lee Childs and Stephen King

Music:

Mary Mary’s ‘Shackles’ and ‘Double Trouble’ by Eric Clapton

Pastimes:

Family, long walks with my camera and solitary drives in the sunshine

Achievement:

Back-packed across the UK in 7 days - 3-Peaks and Route 66

Michelle Coupar

Accounts

About Me

I first began working for Nationwide Building Society, and transitioned through several smaller independent companies to grow my Accounts skills. These were both of service and manufacturing industry.

The diversity of the places I have worked has instilled in me the determination to keep learning and developing new skills, but more importantly to keep on top of those all important tasks which are key to presenting clear data. I believe in good customer and supplier relationships, and enjoy establishing these from the start.

When I’m not crunching numbers, paying bills and issuing invoices, I like to run or walk through the local countryside, accompanied by the trusty woof! Downtime is yoga, both dynamic and restorative, to refocus, balance and restore mind body and soul

My Favourites

Car

Love my VW Golf; disappointed the new model more resembles a spaceship though. Way too fancy!

Book:

Room, Emma Donahue or I See You, Claire Mackintosh

Cocktail:

Espresso Martini ; one is plenty

Pastimes:

Cycling, Walking, Yoga & Boxercise

Music:

Everything!! Love All music.

Place:

Cornwall, South. I love quiet undiscovered villages and coves here, which in winter are sparsely populated, and rely entirely on the summer for their key trade.

Country:

On a beautiful summers day, there is no where better than good old blighty. So lucky to be surrounded by accessible fields and riverside for a spot of kayaking or paddle boarding .

Lizzie Wall

Projects & Office Co-ordinator

About Me

My background is actually in dispute resolution, with over 16 years experience working in police complaints, the Financial Ombudsman and then homelessness prevention. This has given lots of experience in project management, a skill that is serving me well as Project and Office Support Co-ordinator for TAP.

My Favourites

Book:

The Book Thief (it gets me every time)

Drink:

I do like a good cuppa tea, but if I'm out, you'll find me with a Prosecco in hand.

Country:

Tricky to narrow it down to one so my favourite continent I have travelled is probably South America

Past Time:

I am a bit of a gym bunny so you will probably find me doing a workout on my time off or eating a well deserved cake after said workout

Karen Saunders

Account Manager

About Me

My childhood was The Good Life, growing vegetables and living alongside a menagerie of animals including our Highland house cow – Teddy! Farming is in my blood and I’m never happier than when I’m out in the countryside.

I’ve always worked in food; in agencies and in-house for brands. I’m a home economist, food stylist and I’ve written cookery books too.

My Favourites

Food:

Most often simple is best: Homemade sourdough, salty butter, tomatoes warm from the garden and Somerset Brie – heaven!

Drink:

I only do Pimm’s and bubbles. Love a great cup of tea.

Books:

Cookbook-aholic! I’m also a big Jodi Picoult fan.

TV:

This is Us – on repeat!

Early Job:

Cooked my way through college and university as a private chef.

Pastimes:

Being swimming mum and taxi for my two sons who are national level competitive swimmers – lots of very early mornings! I also have a large collection of historic bearded irises.

Kerry Buttriss

Account Manager

About Me

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working in roles that allowed me to bridge my interests in agriculture with my professional expertise. From managing events to spearheading marketing campaigns, and overseeing complex projects and client accounts; I'm dedicated to advancing the agricultural industry, with a focus on growth and sustainability.

My Favourites

Pastime:

Running and taxi service to sporty kids!

Animals:

Labrador and Peacocks

Book:

The Thursday Murder Club series and other “Cosy Crime” books

Place:

Holkham Beach

Early Job:

Lambing assistant, covering the night shift

María de los Ángeles Pérez Rojas

Graphic Designer

About Me

I finished my Graphic Design’s degree in 2018 and last year I studied a Motion Graphic Master by Trazos’ school. Since I finished my studies, I have always been looking for a great company to work with, where I can explore my creativity, design and getting along with my coworkers. I would love to learn and expand my career for a long time in TAP!

My Favourites

First Job:

My first paid job was babysitting in Germany! I really enjoyed that period of my life, back in 2018. But actually, the job I can consider the first one in the design’s world was in a small editorial company in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. I really like reading books and analyzing their design, so this job was heavily amusing for me.

Film:

I love watching films, so there are plenty valid options. But if I have to decide, I would say Interstellar (…Paprika and Les Miserables).

Book:

La insoportable levedad del ser

Food:

Sushi and arepas (not at the same time). This mix come from my love for Japanese food and my Venezuelan roots.

Pastimes:

Music overall! Reading, nature, learning new interesting things, being with my cats, listening to podcasts, petting animals, drawing, create and having a great time with my loves ones.

Graham Bevins

Senior Developer

About Me

After school I went to London to pursue a career in Rock-stardom. After playing with Pete Townsend I went on to develop games and had a top ten charting game (Rally Championship 2000). I was part of key virtualisation development for Linux operating systems (more commonly known as "The Cloud") and I've been in senior digital development posts ever since.

My Favourites

Band:

Bowling For Soup

Pastimes:

Playing guitar

Colour:

Purple

Film:

Highlander

Food:

Any curry, the hotter the better!

Emily McCaver

Senior Account Executive

About Me

I studied at Hartpury University, where my interest in crops, sustainability and soil science grew. Now I take care of over 100 houseplants, my dog, and my expanding flock of bantams.

I love food so it made sense that food production was something I was interested in. My background is in agriculture and conservation with a bit of marketing experience on the side.

My Favourites

Food:

Biscuits! Any kind of biscuit is a good biscuit

Book:

The Hobbit

Song:

Don’t Fear The Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult

Drink:

Coffee

Interests:

Science, history, animals and nature

Past Times:

Baking, reading, crafting, swimming, yoga, and collecting stationery, but mostly spending time outdoors

Emma Craigie

Head of Content & Media

About Me

It all started with a degree in environmental geology, moving on to PA work, ad sales, publishing, media planning & buying, and more agency roles.

I find myself today immersed in the world of content - stories in all of their fabulous shapes, sizes & guises. As far as jobs go, I’m pretty lucky… who doesn’t love a good story?

My Favourites

Social Media:

Instagram every time

Pastimes:

Slightly obsessed with my mission to become fluent in Spanish

Life Moment:

Finally visiting my birthplace in New Delhi, returning home days before the first Covid-19 lockdown

Crop:

Oilseed rape - still no.1 for me, but then I don’t have to grow it!

Book:

The Diving Bell and The Butterfly – a remarkable book that will make you stop and think.

Early Job:

Cleaner at my local vets (cattery & operating theatre) – it’s better at TAP 😊

David Comiskey

Art Director

About Me

Having worked in countless design agencies in London, and can finally say the same work now happens in a small town on the Cambridgeshire/Hertfordshire border where I live. My best kind of campaign involves a spirited and and talented team, and championing 'design for good' as a goal, whether that be for the betterment of people or the planet.

I'm an all out creative with 20 years agency and client-side experience crafting campaign ideas in all discliplines, working in Agriculture, food retail, climate tech' and B2B industries to name a few.

My Favourites

Icon:

Volodymyr Zelenskyy – For his unstoppable resilience and leadership

Country:

Scotland, It’s stunning. I proposed (successfully) to my now Wife on a tiny island called Iona

Logos:

Fed-Ex is one of the best, followed by Nike. Both standing the test of time 

Trainers:

Air Jordan 1 Low, limited Indy Yellow and Purple colourway, enough said 

Car:

Honda Civic Type-R

Pastimes:

DJ and electronic music producer and old enough to have attended several rural and questionable raves in the fine English Countryside!

Hannah Smith

Account Director

About Me

My experience is channel neutral, having worked for a number of integrated agencies - mainly focussed on B2B and Internal Comms. There’s nothing I like more than a complex campaign for multiple audiences. I love working in the agricultural industry for its diversity and passionate, committed audience.

My Favourites

Cocktail:

Aperol Spritz. A refreshing drink on a warm summer evening.

Books:

Wolf Hall and How to be a Woman for useful fashion advice and the constant laughs

Film:

True Romance

Early Job:

Dressing up as Raccoon at a holiday camp.

Pastimes:

Spending time with my family in our campervan

Annie Winn

Social Media & Events Manager

About Me

I’m an easy going, happy-go-lucky people’s person. When I’m not working, you’ll find me outside in the countryside, out exploring in my VW campervan or away on holiday (I love being abroad!). I’m also an animal lover and if I could, I’d adopt every pet out there needing a home!

I used to live in France, I’ve worked abroad in Ibiza and Malia, and I used to make fragrances in a perfume factory, too! So, I’ve had a variety of jobs and life experience over the years but now I found my place in agriculture, I can’t really see myself leaving the industry, I just love it!

My Favourites

Saying:

“Live and let live!”

Social Media Platform:

Instagram

Holiday:

Ibiza

Food:

Steak and lemon meringue (not together though!)

Season:

Summer, summer, summer, Always summer!

Colour:

Blue

Words Of Wisdom:

“A hand full of peanuts to some are a snack, to other’s they’re a death sentence...”. I like this saying because it’s thought provoking in many ways.

Mila Navarro

Account Manager - Spain

About Me

I have a diverse professional background from start-ups to multinationals. Over the last years, I discovered the importance of sustainability and rural development for our planet.

During my work experience in Singapore I discovered the magic of marketing as a powerful tool for changing mindsets, and therefore, working at TAP is incredibly enriching.

My Favourites

Icon:

Eleanor of Aquitaine

Ad:

Renault Clio - Geropa (1996)

Book:

The Name of the Rose. Medieval history is a passion of mine.

Drink:

Red Wine

Pastimes:

I love to travel and meet new people from different cultures. I moved to the UK from Spain when I was 20 years old and have been on the move ever since.

Moment:

Being invited to participate in a special ceremony of the Native American Indian tribe the Crows in Montana. It was such a special moment, being able to mingle with Native American Indians, with all my admiration and respect that I have for them, and out of all the possible days, my birthday!!!

Virinia Strohm

PR & Social Media Executive

About Me

We moved to take on a smallholding and over the years have grown cereals, hay, fruit and vegetables. Last year we produced a particularly good garlic harvest along with first-ever sloes!

My Favourites

Job:

Mum to four.

Film:

Could give you a top 10! One surprising stand out is The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, an inspiration for recent Icelandic road trip.

Pastimes:

Horses, long walks, preferably exploring the beautiful Scottish beaches nearby, and learning a new skill, upholstery.

Ad Campaign:

The Cadbury Gorilla for the love of chocolate and the Lloyds Black Horse for the love of horses!

Icon:

Penguin Books

Álvaro Zaragoza

Digital Marketing

About Me

After finishing my degree in marketing and business, I started a Pub business (typical of Spain) in which I learned a lot in all areas of business, but I always had the focus on digital marketing. After a while, I finished the previous stage and started working in digital agencies, specialising in the online environment. I like programming, task automation, search engine optimization and e-commerce where I try to give my best in TAP.