The community for marketing professionals in the South West
About Building Brands
How Building Brands started
Building Brands was born out of the need for a community to represent and bring together marketing professionals living and working in the South West. Across the region, we have some superb agencies, some very talented in-house marketing people, and some outstanding freelancers. But none of them had the opportunity to meet, talk, and potentially collaborate on work.
Until May 2022, there were also very few independent marketing events in the region. However, our Building Brands Live events have since become a cornerstone, for the community, offering a platform for marketers to connect, share insights, and celebrate the wealth of expertise in the area. They also provide an invaluable opportunity for learning from truly brilliant people and highly experienced marketing leaders.
What’s on offer?
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Newsletters & White Papers
Every other week, members receive a packed email newsletter, filled with articles, news, mental health tips, links to marketing resources and the top podcasts, events across the region, and links to marketing jobs available across the area. Members will also be sent a marketing-related white paper, written locally, each month.
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Events
The most high-profile of our events are our Building Brands Live conferences. In 2024 we’ll be delivering Building Brands Live in Cornwall, Plymouth, Somerset, Bristol and Exeter, a pretty significant growth in the number of events!
We also run free monthly coworking events in Plymouth and Exeter, and in 2024, members will be invited to dinners, meetups, social events, and a Christmas function too!
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Training Masterclasses
We don’t just want members to hear brilliant marketing experts talk at our Building Brands events. We want to give you the chance to learn from them too! So we’re busy putting together a range of accredited training days, delivered by some of our best and most popular speakers from Building Brands conferences over the last couple of years.
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Resources, blogs and mental health support
Access to leading marketing podcasts, articles, blog posts, and mental health support are all vitally important to marketers. We’ve also introduced a Slack community for members to use and connect with others. We want to give you access to the best of the best. Check out our resources page by following the link below and put some of the resources to use!
Join over 1500 marketing professionals and be part of a like-minded community!
Who’s behind Building Brands?
Building Brands was established in 2020 and it’s grown and grown ever since. Our conferences are hugely successful - the biggest marketing events in the South West - and the community also benefits from other events, a newsletter, whitepapers and a full masterclass training scheme ! Find out a little more about the people behind Building Brands below!
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Dave Briggs
Founder of Building Brands
Dave established Building Brands in 2020 and has now grown the community to over 900 members.
At the same time as running Building Brands, Dave works as Marketing Manager at Nash & Co Solicitors in Plymouth.
It’s vitally important to Dave that price is never a barrier to anyone getting involved and attending a Building Brands event., and while they’re there, that they get as much benefit from it as possible. He also spends a lot of time working on the Building Brands newsletter, whitepapers and masterclasses.
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Chris Bentley
Business Development Director and Event Host
Chris likes to call himself the ‘first follower’ having backed Dave from the inaugural event but he is a lot more than that. As our event host, he provides his very own ‘social lubrication’ to ensure all of our delegates have a fantastic day.
Additionally, he takes the lead on business development where he’s the first port of call for our sponsorship network. Chris works hard to ensure our commercial partners have an equally enjoyable experience with us. You normally hear him before you see him, which is quite a thing as he’ as big as a tree!
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Jon Payne
Marketing Director
Jon Payne is an independent business consultant. He mentors marketing and sales teams that are out of step, unleashing their profit potential through creativity, process and automation. He’s run his own businesses for the last 30 years, the last of which was Noisy Little Monkey (a hugely respected SEO and HubSpot agency) which he sold in 2023. Jon has consulted for the likes of RedBull, Specsavers, Yeo Valley, Aardman and thousands of brilliant B2B companies you’ve never heard of. He’s also lectured at Bristol University and Bath Spa University.
Leading marketing strategy and operations for Building Brands, Jon is always looking for suggestions on how we can improve, particularly in the area of inclusivity, so please collar him at an event for a chat.
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Maret Reutelingsperger
Director
Maret joined the Building Brands team in 2024 as a long time fan, bringing enthusiasm, questions for the speakers and ensuring everyone has what they need during the events. With a specialism in email and automation, she will be focusing on BB's communications.
Maret is a self-employed inbound marketing and business consultant, who supports businesses with their use and integration of HubSpot into the business as well as larger digital projects. She's also often found on webinars and lecturing at universities. If you see her at an event, make sure to come and say "hi" - she loves it!
Our Code of Conduct for members
We want to ensure that Building Brands is as welcoming, supportive and inspiring as possible. To keep it that way, we have introduced the following guidelines to help everyone enjoy and make the most of their time here. All we ask is that you treat the community - and each other - with kindness and respect. Here’s how we can all contribute:
Be respectful
Let’s treat everyone with the respect they deserve, whether they’re brand new or have been here for years. No harsh words, no name-calling, and absolutely no harassment. We’re here to support each other and create a positive vibe, not tear each other down. Like my mum used to say, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”
Support, don’t compete
This is a collaborative space, not a competitive one. We’re here to lift each other up, share what we know, and encourage one another. When someone asks for advice, let’s give it openly and kindly. We’re all part of this together.
Keep it professional-ish
We’re a community of professionals, so let’s keep things meaningful and on-topic. Feel free to share your wins and cool projects, but remember, it’s about connection and engagement, not just promotion. Let’s celebrate each other, not overwhelm the space with self-promotion.
The No-Dick-Head rule
We won’t tolerate discrimination, hate speech, or any other kind of crap that makes people feel unwelcome or unsafe. We’re a diverse group, and that’s what makes this community special! Embrace our differences, and treat everyone with respect. If that’s not something you can support, this I’m afraid that this isn’t the right place for you.
Ask for help, offer help
Don’t be shy about asking for some help — that’s why we’re all here! And if you can, then please lend a hand and support someone else when they need it. This community is at its best when we help each other through challenges and celebrate each other’s successes.
Respect privacy
Please, respect each other’s privacy and keep sensitive information safe.
Zero tolerance for harassment
We have a zero-tolerance policy for any kind of harassment, online or in person. If anything doesn’t feel right. then please reach out, and we’ll handle it. Everyone should feel safe and comfortable as part of Building Brands, whether you’re sitting at your computer or you’re at one of our events.
Follow the golden rule
If you wouldn’t like something done or said to you, don’t do it to someone else. Simple as that. Be the kind of community member you’d love to meet.
If things go off track, here’s what to expect
Gentle reminder: For minor issues, we’ll have a chat, and give you a chance to adjust. We all have off days — no worries!
Permanent removal: If you seriously cross the line, or you’ve had multiple warnings, then I’m sorry, but this isn’t the community for you and we’ll remove you from the group. We’re just not going to tolerate anyone making someone else feel uncomfortable.
We’re all here to create a supportive, inclusive, and engaging community where everyone feels valued. If you’re on board with that, then we’re thrilled to have you with us!