Member Directory

The Real Adventure

01225 476100

www.realadventure.co.uk
matt.hardy@realadventure.co.uk

Sector: Advertising & Marketing

Membership Type: Turnover + £2M

Key Skills

digital, integrated, marketing, creative, direct marketing, seach engine optimisation, planning

Key Clients

Walkers, Tropicana, Copella, SnackaJacks, Cow & Gate, Aptamil, Evian, Twinings, Ovaltine, Options, Lloyds Black Horse, Motorcycle Live, Johnson & Johnson.

The Real Adventure is an award-winning digital and direct marketing communications agency based in Bath.

We create consumer value and loyalty by enriching their brand journey with engaging experiences.

We do this by understanding who your consumers are, what they need, when they need it, where and why, and how your brand integrates into their lives.

We then deliver impactful campaigns and CRM programmes that feed the emotions which drive consumer behaviour.

Established in 1991 and part of Creston plc, a diversified marketing services group, The Real Adventure is made up of 65 people with an extensive range of client and agency experience.

Key People

Mark Longhorn: Finance Director
Mark joined The Real Adventure as Finance Director in April 2008. A member of ICAEW (FCA), he has 21 years’ experience in professional and marketing services, manufacturing, finance, utilities, and construction sectors and, prior to that, 7 years in accountancy practice. Highly experienced at Board level, Mark has worked as a Finance Director for over 8 years, where his responsibilities have spanned finance, administration, legal and company secretarial, HR, and IT. His hobbies include maintaining his MG (as well as his wife and 2 daughters!) and writing and recording music.
Elizabeth Pope: Joint Managing Director
Beth joined The Real Adventure in 2005, and is responsible for the agency’s Danone Baby Nutrition business, developing integrated CRM programmes for Cow & Gate and Aptamil in the UK, and sharing best practice strategy and creative with other markets. In April 2011 she became Joint MD. Prior to joining The Real Adventure, she spent 6 years above the line at Euro RSCG London. More naturally at home with a good book and a glass of wine, since moving to the South West, she has surprised herself by acquiring a bicycle, a pair of walking shoes and a 10ft kayak!
Matt Hardy: Digital Director & Joint Managing Director
Matt’s path to Digital Director at The Real Adventure was from a software development and consultancy career. In 1998, his burgeoning interest in the web drew him to the world of digital marketing, and in November of that year, he joined The Real Adventure. Since that time, he has built the digital side of the agency and worked to deliver digital solutions across all of our clients’ brands. In April 2011 he became Joint MD. Outside of work, he loves being a dad to his 4 girls. As for spare time? What’s that?!
Pete Boorman: Planning Director
Pete has been working at The Real Adventure since February 2008. A Strategic Planner with 15 years’ experience, he’s developed effective marketing strategies and communication plans for many blue chip brands across a wide range of sectors, including FMCG, financial services, automotive, retail, leisure, and B2B. Outside of work, if he’s not spending time with his 3 children, he’ll be up to something sporty. He really loves his cricket but is also a keen golfer and squash player.
Simon Brace: Board Account Director
Upon graduating from the School of Management at the University of Bath, Simon found himself in ad-land on the grad scheme at Abbott Mead Vickers. 7 years on, he was Group Account Director for a tasty set of Mars Confectionery brands, having produced campaigns for BT, O2, Gillette and RSPCA along the way. 5 years ago he returned to Bath to join The Real Adventure, heading up the agency’s FMCG group which includes PepsiCo, Twinings and Evian. He is now also TRA’s New Business Director.