David Shiell

Advisor @Thinking:Returns Advisory

Australia💰 Investor & VC🔥 Startup Founder💸 MarketingBusiness Owner💼 C-level Executive👍 Sales & BizDev🧨 Consulting🏦 FinanceVenture PartnerAngel✨ Business OwnerCOOGeneral PartnerInvestor RelationsCustomer Success ManagerBusiness Development ManagerPartnerships ManagerHead of GrowthExecutive CoachPartnerMarketing DirectorM&A ExpertCEOCMOAdvisorFounder

As a highly strategic and results-oriented leader, I bring over 24 years of global experience in founding and scaling ventures across the UK, North America, and Sub-Saharan Africa. My expertise lies in advising and mentoring early to growth-stage companies, particularly in the marketing and martech sectors, on strategy, operations, and international expansion. I excel at unlocking growth potential for both B2C and B2B brands, with a strong emphasis on sustainable customer lifetime value and innovative, insight-led strategies that drive revenue and solve complex business challenges. With a deep understanding of the digital ecosystem and a proven track record in M&A activity, I am adept at navigating complex negotiations across geographical borders and structuring successful exit strategies. My high EQ and understanding of human behavior enable me to lead high-performing, geographically dispersed teams and build trusted relationships with global clients. Known for my integrity, resilience, and visionary approach, I am committed to fostering positive work environments and mentoring future leaders, positioning myself as a trusted advisor and board member capable of steering companies through the commercial realities of rapid growth.

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Work Background

AAZZURAdvisory Board Member

May. 2024Berlin, GermanyAs a member of the Advisory Board, I provide valuable guidance and drive strategic decisions whilst supporting the continued growth and success of AAZZUR. AAZZUR revolutionise banking with their open banking platform, enhancing customer satisfaction, retention, and monetisation. Positioned above traditional banks and fintechs, they facilitate seamless data exchange and offer a marketplace for the next wave of financial services. Their API platform and smart front-end solutions provide enterprises, financial-services companies, and startups with greater financial freedom, a smoother experience, and increased engagement. AAZZUR is the fastest, most reliable, and cost-effective way to embed financial services, featuring top vendors for building your own solutions.

Time Under TensionBusiness Consultant

Feb. 2024Melbourne, Victoria, AustraliaAt Time Under Tension, our mission is to assist forward-thinking agencies and brands in embracing and amplifying the capabilities of generative AI. Working at the nexus of generative AI, design, and user experience, we strive to contribute to the development of world-leading customer experiences whilst optimising operational efficiences.

Stone & ChalkBusiness Growth Mentor

Feb. 2024Melbourne, Victoria, AustraliaProvide guidance and expertise via strategic advice - helping startups navigate early challenges and accelerate their growth.

Thinking:Returns AdvisoryPrincipal

Aug. 2022Melbourne, Victoria, AustraliaROI Focused Business Services | Find out how our Thinking:Returns Thinking:Returns Pty. Ltd. is the culmination of 25 years of global strategic leadership, commercial awareness and operational implementation across the advertising, marketing and technology industries. Through its principal David Shiell, it provides strategic advisory, functional consultancy and mentorship services across (primarily) early and growth-stage marketing and technology based companies. With an intimate knowledge of business and the skills to implement and optimise successful solutions, David provides an environment of 'thinking returns'.

Pathways Digital Board Advisor

Sep. 2022Melbourne, Victoria, AustraliaBoard Advisory team member providing sales, marketing, marketing technology and general commercial business advice and governance to Pathways Digital as they look to scale and take the next step in their journey to category leader.

ConversionryBusiness Mentor

Aug. 2022Melbourne, Victoria, AustraliaMentor to CEO providing advice & support across various areas of skills / knowledge development such as; - commercial awareness - talent growth - business planning - corporate strategy and structure - sales / marketing strategy & process - workplace culture - problem-solving - leadership growth - strengthening emotional intelligence & communications skills - gaining new perspectives - negotiation - capital management

DaydotFounder/Advisor

Jun. 2022London, England, United KingdomI remain as a strategic advisor (and investor) to the company I founded and led for two years. Advisory focus is on strategic growth and partnerships delivering high value returns. I also provide general governance through regular review of financial reporting and risk management related to building capability and embedding responsible business policies across operations.

DaydotExecutive Chairman & Founder

Jul. 2021 - Jun. 2022London, England, United KingdomMy focus is to provide strategic input and advice to the Daydot management team, to support the company's continued growth. My key responsibilities include overall board leadership, assisting in the development of and approving strategic planning whilst holding senior management accountable for the delivery of those plans. I also maintain oversight of finance and investment and act as a mentor and promoter for the business.

DaydotFounder & CEO

Oct. 2020 - Jul. 2021London, England, United KingdomDaydot is the culmination of a proven history, helping brands unlock their potential by solving complex digital issues through experimentation. We believe focusing across the entire customer lifecycle is the key to unleashing sustainable growth from daydot. We specialise in driving sustainable revenue growth for subscription and recurring revenue businesses, via increased customer lifetime value through our unique Digital Experience Optimisation (DxO) methodologies that maximise acquisition, conversion, engagement and retention of customers.

House of KaizenCEO / Founder

Feb. 2013 - Oct. 2020LondonHouse of Kaizen is a leading independent performance marketing agency with a singular focus, continuous business improvement. Our unique process of end-to-end conversion planning delivers integrated, profitable digital programs from engagement to action. Consultancy led, with a focus on ROI that leverage's technology and strategy, we pride ourselves on our ability to transform omni-channel digital marketing for many of the worlds most prestigious brands, such as Intel Security, Pfizer, Avis Budget Rent a Car, Wall Street Journal, News UK, News Corp., Superbreak, Tiffany & Co., Total Gym, Bloomberg and more. We offer a full suite of Digital Marketing services including, Search, Display, Affiliate, Social Content and Programmatic, with a core specialism in Conversion Rate Optimisation, Research and Analytics. With offices in central London (Shoreditch) and New York (Garment District), we are well placed to address the needs of companies, whether they be mature brands looking to engage with their audience, eCommerce enabled businesses with clear revenue goals or start-ups looking to prove their business plans.

ARC ScienceDirector / Founder

Jul. 2013 - Dec. 2018London, United KingdomARC Science ('ARC') was a Real-Time Advertising Company that specialised in the planning and trading of display and video programmatic media (via Real-Time Bidding) across all digital devices. In its effort to help brands and agencies connect with consumers and more effectively deliver on marketing and performance objectives, ARC; - Applied logic and market insight to translate specific advertising requirements into programmatic media strategies that delivered on branding, acquisition and retention goals. - Utilised human end-to-end oversight to ensure robust strategy, delivery and insight, coupled with a programmatic foundation that drove efficient and effective execution. In December 2018, ARC services were wholly absorbed into House of Kaizen and the brand retired from service.

europeoneBoard Marketing Advisor

Sep. 2014 - Dec. 2017London, United KingdomEuropeOne set itself the goal of becoming the world's first, truly pan-European, mobile-first retail bank. With an initial focus on the 20+ million intra-European migrants who have difficulties in getting bank accounts (existing banks don't have a suitable product and services offering for them), this highly mobile and tech-savvy customer group has significant inter-European banking needs that EuropeOne looked to service. Role: Assist the Board in the development and validation of their business proposition to build a pan-European, online retail bank. Core Responsibilities: - Oversight and development of the marketing function, proving economic and technological competence and feasibility of the project. - Development of an overarching strategy and identification of cost factors so as to deliver a robust marketing acquisition model that formed a key component of the business case. - Following the initial business case development, assisted in the preparation, meeting and follow up with key EuropeOne investment sources including private equity and angel investor discussions. Key Outputs to date have included: - Development of value proposition - Target customer segmentation modelling - Creation of long term customer acquisition costs for input into the economic model - Projected marketing data for expected products/services - Strategy and executable plan for efficiently reaching target customers - Outline of sales channels and promotional distribution

Web Liquid GroupGroup CEO

Apr. 2012 - Feb. 2013HQ LondonMy role as Group CEO is focused on executing the groups operational plans required to deliver on our objectives. In doing this I my role as CEO effectively encompasses four fundamental elements; 1. Leader: Develop and direct the vision of the group, aiming to keep the group companies on a consistent track to achieving those visions. 2. Project Manager: Responsible for overseeing the implementation of the group strategy by directing operational activities via efficient utilization of our people and capital. 3. Steward/Enabler: Work with our staff to help them become greater contributors by improving their efficiency and effectiveness. Act as an enabler to ensure that people get what they need when they need it. 4. Relationship Builder: Establish positive networking relationships outside the group that may provide assistance in our aim to achieve our vision.

House of KaizenFounding Partner / Director

Oct. 2009 - Feb. 2013House of Kaizen 1.0 was originally a stand alone eCommerce and website conversion optimisation company that focused on the use of empirical data to grow conversion of any online business. Combining the latest in A/B and multivariate testing, state of the art usability analysis and strategic analytics, House of Kaizen become a well known and reliable Conversion Optimisation specialist that increased the conversion of numerous eCommerce websites, generating millions of pounds in incremental revenue for our clients. In February 2013, House of Kaizen 1.0 was merged with Web Liquid (US, UK & Nigeria) and NetX (US) to form the newly enlarged House of Kaizen 2.0, an end-to-end Performance Marketing Agency.

Web Liquid GroupFounding Partner / Managing Director (UK)

Nov. 2003 - Feb. 2013LondonOperations: Develop, lead and deliver the company’s strategy and growth initiatives for the UK and beyond. Liaise with financial controller and departmental leads to ensure efficient and profitable running of the business. Clients: Lead the profitable development of key clients. Responsible for understanding clients marketing and business objectives to ensure delivery of profitable marketing solutions and service. Marketing & Sales: Develop marketing and business strategies. Expand and nurture agency network to aid in identification of new business leads. Manage internal and external new business and marketing stakeholders.

itraffic / Agency.com (UK)Account Director

Mar. 2000 - Nov. 2003My final role at Agency.com was as Account Director. Duties focused on the stewardship and growth of key corporate accounts, ensuring quality control of account, media and creative services. Other title held included Associate Media Director. Key responsibilities: - Ensure overall financial stability of the accounts - Supervision, training and review of account team. - Identify new business opportunities and participate in pitches Main clients: British Airways and Hilton International Additional: - Implementation of Intelligent Targeting tools to improve cost efficiency, conversion and ROI - Built key online strategic partnerships with publishers including global BA/Yahoo partnership and travel portal facilitation - Implemented various “first ever” ad-unit technologies for Global/Pan-European campaigns such as the Yahoo Page Peel, Superstitials (Unicast), Transitional Superstitials (TangoZebra) and the first ever rich media on Yahoo Europe.

Mindshare Australia & New ZealandGroup Head

Jan. 1998 - Dec. 2000As Media Group Head, I handled all media buys/budgets/audits/ administration for the Ford Dealer account including the supervision and training of media assistants. In addition to my role, I assisted senior strategist in the preparation of media strategies whilst liasing with account service and clients. I also briefed media buys to vendors of all mediums (including, Internet/TV/Radio/Press/Magazines/Outdoor) as well as development and presented bought media schedules and post-analysis to clients (including the monitoring of on-going campaigns). The role also required my involvement in new business pitches, including developing, presenting and assisting in the preparation of pitches on Nike, Dilmah Tea and Coles Supermarkets. Clients worked on included; Ford Dealers, Kodak, Kraft Foods, Duracell, Coles Supermarkets, Wrightson-Seeds, ALH Pacific Dunlop.

Pitcher PartnersAccountant

Jan. 1996 - Dec. 1998Having completed a business degree with a financial major at Monash University, Australia, my role at Pitcher Partners was as a Taxation and Superannuation (Pensions) accountant working across a wide range of clients including high net-worth individuals, Trusts and Syndicates. The role included; - Preparation and completion of taxation returns - Audit of Superannuation Funds and associated assets and investment portfolios. - Preparation of financial statements in relation to Superannuation funds and taxation returns. - Monthly presentations to the firm Taxation group on the current world economic environment and its potential impact on clients.

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