We enabled Mindshare to build a world-class in-house analytics function, placing senior data and performance leaders who unified media measurement across 76+ markets, optimised global brand investments, and drove ROI strategy for £500M+ in media spend.
Situation
Mindshare needed to elevate its internal data science, analytics, and modelling capabilities to maintain global leadership.
WPP’s media agency network, including Mindshare, was under growing pressure to deliver higher-impact, data-informed media strategy to its global brand clients. With budgets in the hundreds of millions and visibility across 76+ markets, the stakes for digital performance, measurement accuracy, and return on media investment were rising fast. Specific goals included:
- Building in-house media ROI and digital attribution expertise
- Improving budget allocation strategies for global accounts
- Embedding best-practice measurement frameworks across EMEA and APAC
- Strengthening analytics leadership on flagship client accounts such as Unilever, Nike, Jaguar, HSBC, Booking.com, and others
To do so, the organisation required elite talent capable of translating commercial complexity into measurable media outcomes—individuals with both high technical fluency and senior client-facing gravitas.
Approach
We were retained to identify, engage, and deliver transformative talent across Mindshare’s global data and performance ecosystem. This involved:
Strategic Briefing
Collaborating with senior stakeholders across global, EMEA, and account-specific teams to define capability needs
Targeted Search
Conducting an international search focused on digital performance experts, econometricians, data science leaders, and strategic consultants
Alignment to Clients
Prioritising hires who could align seamlessly with vertical client needs (FMCG, automotive, financial services, tech, eCommerce)
Multi-role Delivery
Placing key talent across several senior tracks including data science, ROI strategy, segmentation, and global measurement frameworks
We focused on candidates who had previously operated at the intersection of analytics, investment, and influence—able to advise C-suite stakeholders while building sustainable in-house capability.
Result
The talent delivered by Banba helped Mindshare shift from a dependency on external modelling partners to an in-house, insight-led media optimisation capability across global accounts.
Key Appointments
Head of Data Science (Media Optimisation & Modelling Leadership)
Built and scaled the global data science function, embedding predictive modelling and analytics in campaign planning. Enabled performance-based decision-making across key markets and global brand teams.
Director – Unilever Global Account (EMEA Media Strategy)
Led strategy and ROI frameworks for Unilever’s investment across 76 markets, driving the digital roadmap for EMEA and setting the foundation for all regional measurement efforts.
Business Director – Digital Performance & Analytics (Global 500 Advisory)
Delivered advanced analytics and ROI frameworks for clients such as Nike, HSBC, Booking.com, and Marks & Spencer, improving media efficiency and accelerating eCommerce returns.
Business Director – Business Planning (Cross-Sector Strategy)
Partnered with brands across Automotive (Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo), FMCG (Unilever), and Financial Services (Zurich) to lead budget allocation strategies and global communications planning.
“Banba quickly grasped the complexity of our global media ecosystem and delivered exactly the calibre of analytics leadership we needed. Their hires didn’t just fill roles — they elevated our entire capability, driving measurable performance improvements across key accounts like Unilever and Nike. The shift from external dependency to in-house excellence has been transformative.”
— Global Chief Strategy Officer, Mindshare
As a result of these placements, Mindshare was able to operationalise digital performance insights at scale, deploy unified measurement frameworks globally, and strengthen client advisory capability with embedded, analytics-driven leadership. Banba’s hires were instrumental in bridging the gap between insight and investment—turning data into media performance.
