James Ray

Hi, I'm James Ray. I am the Managing Director of Armadillo, an independent agency that fuses data insight, strategy and creative to deliver effective CRM, direct and digital marketing for some of the world’s biggest names.

After James Ray began his career client-side as a graduate trainee with WHSmith, he joined Armadillo - a young creative agency with a growing reputation for direct marketing - as an Account Executive in 1996. Together with founder and MD Andrew Warne, James went on to spearhead the agency’s evolution into an award winning direct and digital agency, fusing data, insight, strategy and creative flair with Armadillo’s characteristic pragmatism and common sense, to deliver successful CRM strategies for brands like McDonald’s, Disney, Mastercard and Oxfam. James became Client Services Director in 2003, and Board Director and Partner in 2008. With Andrew stepping back from the front line into a new role as Chairman, James became Managing Director in 2013. James is a hybrid of skills and experience, with talents covering planning, strategy and client service. He loves steering creative projects (almost) as much as he loves being knee deep in data. And James is obsessive about finding solutions and proving results.

Client Services Director at Armadillo

June 2003 - February 2008

Responsibility for strategy, planning and client service across the Agency's complete client portfolio, including responsibility for the Design and Creative division.

Account Director at Armadillo

May 1999 - June 2003

Headed planning, strategy and steering across the DM client portfolio, including Blockbuster, Vue Cinemas and Office World. Led the assimilation of digital channels in to the Agency's proposition.

Account Executive / Account Manager at Armadillo

March 1996 - May 1999

Account management and campaign planning across the Agency's DM client portfolio, including Blockbuster, Virgin Retail and Nutricia.

Retail Development Executive at WHSmith

March 1995 - March 1996

Marketing and content development for online and interactive TV retail platforms.

Graduate Trainee at WHSmith

September 1993 - March 1995

Multi-disciplined Head Office graduate training programme, covering marketing, retail management and operations across the WHSmith group (including Our Price Entertainment, Waterstones and WHSmith Retail).

Managing Director at Armadillo

February 2013

Armadillo is an independent agency that fuses data insight, strategy and creative to deliver effective CRM, direct and digital marketing for some of the world's biggest names.

Partner / Board Director at Armadillo

February 2008

University of Bristol

1990 – 1993

BSc