‘We’re not a passive brand’: Rufus Radcliffe on putting ITV at the heart of British culture
From encouraging millions to open up about their mental health to taking a view on the future of modern Britain, CMO Rufus Radcliffe is positioning ITV as a creative force to be reckoned with.
“Who would have thought this time last year that I’m a Celebrity…was going to be filmed in a castle in Wales?” asks Rufus Radcliffe.
ITV’s CMO is reflecting on some of the unusual positives to come out of the Covid-19 crisis during an “extraordinary year” not just for the nation but for his marketing team.
Radcliffe was named Marketer of the Year, sponsored by Salesforce, at the Marketing Week Masters awards last month, selected by a jury of his peers from a shortlist of the highest-ranking marketers from each sector of the Top 100. Plus, ITV claimed the prestigious Grand Prix award and the accolade of Marketing Team of the Year.
Honoured by the judges for its ‘Britain Get Talking’ campaign, which aims to get millions to open up about their mental health, ITV also scooped the awards for Brand Purpose and Content.
The jury singled out Radcliffe’s commitment to the personal development of his team and his belief in ITV’s brand purpose as deciding factors for his Marketer of the Year recognition. However, when asked for the secret behind successful leadership, Radcliffe insists you cannot achieve anything without a fantastic team.
“One thing I’ve always taken seriously is hiring brilliant people, because it’s one of the hardest things to do.”