Digital agency plans to become ‘master of the algorithm’

The owner of a Nottingham full-service marketing agency says her company has emerged from a difficult 2019 stronger than ever.

Susan Hallam, the owner of Hallam, said that in 2019 there had been “some bumps in the road”, but that her company has “come back stronger”.

Last July, Hallam made 11 people redundant, citing a change in direction for the firm towards a more strategic consultancy services which meant the company had different people requirements. Managing director Stuart Ross also left the company.

However, Hallam told TheBusinessDesk.com that 2020 will see her company, which can count the likes of the United Nations, Speedo and Raleigh among its clients, focus on innovation.

She said: “We’re concentrating on what differentiates us; on new tech and becoming the masters of the algorithm.

“We’re also looking at how we treat our staff and listening to what our colleagues want from their careers with Hallam. This is a really positive step forward for us all.”

Hallam currently employs 53 people at its Talbot Street offices, but Hallam’s plan is not to add staff for the sake of having numbers in the building.

She added: “We have to be efficient with the staff we have – there are so many opportunities here for people who want to do different things. We have re-skilled our people and we’re able to offer them training and redevelopment, which means a great step forward in their careers. Size doesn’t necessarily mean success.”

Hallam is working towards the company’s annual Digital Summit, which regularly draws 750 people to Nottingham city centre. This year’s event is on 23 June and will boast speakers from Zoopla as well as visitors from Spain and the Netherlands.

“We’re going to give visitors the full digital experience,” said Hallam