Global social media agency The Social Element has welcomed three new senior hires to bolster the agency’s creative, strategic and client servicing strength.
The Social Element’s new appointments include Manu Gambagorte, joining as director of strategy and Insights, Shahnaz Ahmed as director of creative and innovation, and Alex Attfield as director of client services.
All three are entering newly-formed director roles, bringing extensive agency and platform expertise from previous brands and will be expected to report to Europe managing director, Linn Frost.
Commenting on the new hires, Frost said, “We are shaping what a future-facing social agency looks like and what it can deliver. This is our ‘Avengers Assemble’ moment as we bring the incredible strengths of Manu, Alex and Shahnaz into our agency.
“This new squad of experts are going to help brands harness the power of social to connect them to their audience to grow.”
Former global head of social impact for the creative shop at Meta, Gambagorte led multiple campaigns with platform creators in areas such as climate change and mental health.
Before Meta, Gambagorte held creative strategy roles at Spotify UK, Google Brazil and Publicis London, working with brands such as Heineken Global and L’Oreal.
“My main goal is to ensure that social isn’t an afterthought,” said Gambagorte, speaking about her new role at The Social Element.
“It should be involved in the early stages of brand building, it isn’t a broadcast channel but rather something that needs to be embedded from the start.”
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Meanwhile, Ahmed will be focusing on strengthening The Social Element’s creative output to deliver campaigns on social, bringing experience from her time as creative strategist at Meta, leading UK brands across social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and Quest.
Ahmed’s other roles include lead design and creative positions at agencies including Iris, Livity and Studio Output, as well as brands like Google, Dyson, Ministry of Sound and Comic Relief.
The final hire, Attfield, who was content lead for Europe at The&Partnership, has also held senior roles at Sky Creative Agency, adam&eveDDB and VCCP, working with brands like Samsung, O2, Lloyds Bank as well as M&M. His new role will maintain a focus on client experience in the agency
Commenting on her new appointment, Ahmed said: “Brand fame can only be achieved through highly crafted work that moves people.
“I am incredibly excited to join The Social Element and aim to ensure we build campaigns that are not only beautifully crafted and thumb-stopping, but which also have substance and connect with people long after they’ve put their devices down.”
Attfield added, “The Social Element’s model means that we are often integrated into our client’s businesses, and I want to empower and enable our clients to engage on social and harness the full funnel brand power that only this channel has.”
