Former Traffik head of planning Duncan Bell joins Reconnected as strategy partner

As Reconnected hits an accelerated period of growth, Duncan Bell has joined as business partner to lead the strategic product within the agency.

Launched by Jake Ford earlier this year, Reconnected is focused on striking the optimal long and short marketing balance through a commercial bottom-up orientation with the power of a full-service agency.

Says Ford: “When considering business partnership, I got some wonderful advice about ensuring alignment across all facets of life. Duncan is one of the very best humans in the industry and we share a commitment to finding business success in a manner which balances family and health alongside a very deep professional ambition to do great work.

“He also happens to be one of the sharpest minds in the industry, having led successful teams and clients across the spectrum of research, brand and activation strategy – he was the obvious choice to co-lead our mission.”

Says Bell: “I’ve always believed the name on the wall is less important than the people within the building. So, when Jake invited me in to be part of the growth of Reconnected, throwing my lot in with this incredibly talented and driven marketer took no deliberation.

“What got me most excited was the very intentional focus on people that is being built as a foundation within the agency culture. Founded as a deliberately developmental organisation DDO, we’re seeking to light people up when they come to work, where previously they may have once been burnt out.

“Reconnected is committed to providing its team with continuous individual growth opportunities which aim to be embedded in every moment to achieve organisational high performance for the agency and commercial outperformance for our clients.”

Bell will take on the product side of Reconnected leading strategy whilst overseeing the creative and technology product. Ford will step into a managing director role leading the people development, clients, business and operations.

Before joining Reconnected, Bell spent time in planning departments across the Clemenger Group, within Traffik for Diageo, CUB, Ikea and Pepsi Co, and at Clemenger BBDO for Mars, MINI and NAB.

The agency’s foundational clients include Real Pet Food Co, Playgro, Nandos, Fenton & Fenton, HSI Donesafe and Straight Up Energy.