Find out more about our company, our history, the services that we offer and theEword team
We're a digital marketing agency in Manchester that specialises in paid and natural search engine marketing and commercial web design.
Our dedicated team of fourteen marketing experts, designers, journalists and programmers work hard for our clients, which is why we've seen so much success.
We use industry standard tools and channels, such as Google AdWords, Microsoft AdCenter and Yahoo Search Marketing as well as our own custom technologies and tools.
Our business and staff are accredited, transparent and experienced. We're experts in helping companies to improve their online marketing strategies and general online presence.
Find out more about our team below, or view more images of our team and offices.
theEword is a member of Microsoft AdExcellence, Manchester Digital and is also Google AdWords-certified.
theEword was formed in 2006 by design director Tom Glass and MD Al Mackin, as the demand for professional marketing agencies grew. Both had been on the client side before - Al when he was head of e-commerce for Celltalk PLC and Tom when he worked with internet retail specialists ShopDirect - and they saw that there were no specialist marketing agencies who could provide a full service, from the formulation and execution of a marketing campaign to the analysis and optimisation of the website that the user visits.
Since its formation, theEword has grown from a team comprising just two to employing fourteen members of staff (and it's still growing). The company has also received several awards from industry bodies: Al Mackin was named as one of Crain's Manchester Business magazine's 40 Under 40 - a list of the most successful people in the region under that age, while in September 2009, theEword itself made its debut in the TopSEOs list of the ten best SEO agencies in the UK, an accolade it still holds.
Meanwhile, the company has taken on board more than a dozen new clients in fields as varied as online gaming, energy efficiency and consumer technology.
Read more on theEword: Our Team | What makes us different | Client Testimonials | Press Releases
Al has been search engine optimising commercially since 1997, and has previously worked at Manchester.com; conceptualising, managing and marketing the online guide ManchesterAD.com. Subsequently he worked for Celltalk PLC as head of e-commerce, driving (at peak) a net margin of £40,000 per month; he also managed the SEO projects and a PPC spend that peaked at circa £100k/month.
Further details on Al Mackin
Tom has previously worked with Shopdirect, Abound, Additions and Innovations, as well as designing for charities. He headed up the online design team at Celltalk PLC, overseeing the creation of additional brands and online properties, and optimising the user interface, driving sales by maximising the conversion rate.
Further details on Tom Glass
Mark is an IDM-certified digital marketer with 4 years experience in online marketing and ecommerce. He joined theEword team in September 2008, taking over the management of our PPC and SEO projects. Mark has worked for several large retail brands including Additions Direct, Great Universal and Kays, overseeing increases in conversion rates and direct retail sales of around 30% with his work on PPC, SEO and site development projects.
Further details on Mark Baker
Dan joined theEword team in August 2008, having previously worked as an online copy specialist for HMPJ. With several years' experience in media, Dan has written for titles such as CityLife, the Manchester Evening News and various music websites. He now creates and manages content for our key clients, overseeing our team of writers and handling the flow of content from our office.
Further details on Dan Nolan
Tom has five years experience in media and has worked for a range of regional magazines, writing everything from lifestyle features to celebrity interviews. His portfolio includes features in The Big Issue, YQ Magazine and Hotline - the official Virgin Trains magazine. More recently, Tom was deputy editor at Manchester-based publication The Magazine.
Further details on Tom Mason
Having spent nine months cycling around Eastern and Western Europe on his own last year, Percy returned to the UK and set himself up as a freelance writer. With a portfolio ranging from music reviews to travel magazine articles, as well as a stint as assistant editor for a music magazine, Percy joined theEword in May 2008 as a specialist writer. He now edits online city guide whln.co.uk, producing and managing the site’s content and SEO.
Further details on Percy Herbert
Stephen has seven years' experience in web design. He studied Information and Communications at Manchester Metropolitan University and holds a National Diploma in Multimedia Design. His work to date has included online marketing for DJs and clubs including Manchester's Sankeys nightclub, for whom he designed web flyers and banners.
Further details on Stephen Dixon
Adrian joined theEword having previously worked for one of Manchester's biggest SEO companies. He has nine years' experience in web development and his freelance portfolio includes contract work for the National Health Service and numerous bespoke projects. He is now responsible for the coding and development of theEword's internal and external projects.
Further details on Adrian Mursec
Mike joined theEword in June 2009 after studying Marketing Management at Manchester Metropolitan University, where he completed specialised modules in marketing communications and brand management. His previous work experience in marketing includes a placement at PR firm Golley Slater, whose clients include Mitsubishi and the British Army, where he worked with account managers, assisting them in their duties. Among other companies at which he has completed placements, Mike has also spent time working at Unipart Rail.
Further details on Mike Higham
Richard is an NCTJ-qualified journalist who started as an SEO copywriter in the summer of 2006. His previous roles in the media include serving as Theatre Editor at online magazine Durham21.co.uk and Sports Editor at Durham University newspaper Palatinate. A willingness to pester the great and good of journalism has helped him build a varied portfolio of news articles, features and reviews for InTheNews.co.uk, the Times, the Southport Visiter, the Watford Observer and the Liverpool Echo.
Further details on Richard Frost
Rachel joined theEword after completing a Business Administration and Marketing degree at Manchester Metropolitan University, where her core modules included electronic relationship management and digital marketing, marketing communications and marketing law. Her previous work experience includes managerial positions in busy, high-stress environments throughout Manchester.
Further details on Rachel Holce
Nick joined theEword at the end of 2009 after returning from a period spent travelling around the USA. He brings with him a wealth of PHP and development skills, as well as a firm understanding of SEO, having previously worked for one of Manchester's largest optimisation agencies. He graduated from the University in Salford with an honours degree in Computing.
Further details on Nick Price
Emily joined theEword team at the start of 2010 for a three-month placement within the company's online marketing department, organised through her participation in the Manchester Masters scheme, which is aimed at keeping the best graduate talent in the area. She studied Physiology at the University of Manchester and is working towards a Master's degree in her spare time.
Further details on Emily McCleave
Rick became a part of theEword online marketing department at the beginning of 2010 after graduating with a BSc in Management from the University of Manchester and taking part in the previous year's Manchester Masters scheme. He will spend three months working under online marketing manager Mark Baker.
Further details on Rick Roberts
theEword is a fully integrated digital marketing agency based in Trafford Park, Manchester. We offer a comprehensive list of services such as SEO, PPC, online traffic analytics and content creation. Whatever your digital marketing needs, theEword has the skills and expertise to help.
Our ethos is that quality always comes first. As a bespoke service, theEword believes in giving the best possible service to our select rostrum of clients and that means regular face-to-face interaction. We don't want any of our clients to feel undervalued or sidelined, which is why our experienced staff members provide regular and enlightening progress updates.
If you'd like to find out more about theEword, please get in touch on 0161 872 3011 or email contact@theEword.co.uk.