People’s Champion finalist 2016: ZEAL Creative

Start-up name: ZEAL Creative
Founders: Stewart Hilton
Started in: April 2014
Based in: Manchester
Business description: Full-service marketing agency

Shortlisted categories:

Lean Start-up of the Year 

The ZEAL Creative story:

Okay, so there are lots of full service marketing agencies. But they don’t all hit the milestones ZEAL Creative has in two short years.

On a mission to become “the world’s most recommended agency” it specialises in promotional and shopper marketing campaigns.

Since launch, ZEAL has been appointed by 11 globally recognised FMCG brands, including ASDA, Nestlé, Pringles, Castrol and Kellogg’s. And it’s done this without resorting to taking serious external investment – only securing a StartUp Loan of £9,250.

At the Institute of Promotional Marketing it won three gold awards, which it says was more than any other UK agency. And the Manchester Evening News named it Young Business of the Year.

Turnover for the 18-person company has more than doubled to a very healthy £1.7m and is forecast to double again, with profit rising in line.

Why ZEAL Creative made our shortlist:

All of the above would just be ‘nice’ without the tell-tale signs that the MediaCityUK-based business is scaling fast. When happy clients start referring new business you’re doing something right. And this young agency looks like all key metrics are heading up.

Where to find out more about ZEAL Creative:

Website: www.zealcreative.com
Twitter: twitter.com/zealcreative