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Giving organisations access to an entire marketing department - for one salary

By Josh Mitchell

Director of Mitchell and Stones

From filling up Brighton’s nightclubs at only 16 to sharing a stage with Karren Brady at his own business show.

Josh Mitchell, of Mitchell and Stones, is the brains behind leading marketing campaigns that are found across the world and Hampshire’s biggest B2B expo.

With a growing team and global aspirations, Josh has shown his commitment to challenging the status quo and helping businesses see what support from a team of true marketing experts can deliver.

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Josh has been involved in social media most of his adult life. At 16, he was promoting nightclubs in Brighton – getting a share of the door sales, even though he was too young to walk through them himself.

Creating social media content when the platforms were just taking off, his clients saw their dance floors get busier, and events sold out quicker thanks to his creativity and strategic social media know-how.

He travelled off to Uni as it was the done thing to do, but quickly realised his heart wasn’t in it. Instead, he was focused on replicating that social media success for Winchester’s nightlife. By using Facebook groups, he funnelled 80% of Winchester’s student population into online social environments to meet course peers and flatmates and ultimately guided students to purchase thousands of wristbands and tickets to his events.

Local restaurants and bars caught wind of what he was capable of, and he’d built a local business that was bringing real impact to small venue owners across the city.

Then, he met Chris Stones.

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"Before the pandemic, I don’t think people would have wanted to simply outsource all their marketing. But it changed the way people view work, and has helped us establish our market position. We’d never have wanted to be a marketing agency that only did one thing. So when me and Chris (Stones) joined forces, it was to become an outsourced marketing department that delivered expertise across all marketing specialities – at the price of a single salary."

Josh Mitchell, Director of Mitchell and Stones

Starting with just £580 in the bank in 2018, Mitchell and Stones has grown to become one of Southampton’s best-known marketing agencies.

They’re known as the outsourced marketing department, thanks to their services allowing businesses to get fractional access to every marketing skill set they could need – all for the price of a single salary.

They help two kinds of businesses. Those who have frustrations around marketing performance, which could be down to a lack of internal resources. Or on the other hand organisations that have internal marketing resources but there may be skill gaps and severe time restraints.

By integrating into their client’s businesses they communicate daily, strategise and execute the marketing activity with monthly, quarterly and annual review meetings to assess progress and impact on their client’s top and bottom lines.

It’s the trust Josh builds with his clients that keeps them around, and they’ve seen countless clients generate new business, build their brand and grow faster thanks to their support.

"A strong marketing function does two things really well, has a clear and repeatable short-term sales activation strategy otherwise known as lead generation activities. While also investing in the long-term growth of their brand and strengthening their perceived credibility, positioning and recall. That way, as time progresses, you are recognised, and trusted and become the supplier of choice."

Josh Mitchell, Director of Mitchell and Stones

The Hampshire Business Show is on the calendars of thousands from across the county every year. Starting in 2019, and successfully navigating the pandemic, Josh has created and grown an event that has become Hampshire’s premier B2B expo.

A highlight of Josh’s was bringing Karren Brady to the South Coast, and meeting more and more new business owners every year within the Utilita Bowl.

Next year may see the launch of a second show, in a different industry, to build on the model of the existing show and bring it to more businesses and the local community.

The team, and output, of Mitchell and Stones continue to grow – as do the aspirations of its leaders.

They’re looking to grow internationally, entering the US market and even Dubai. But that’s only one part of the story.

"Our employees are integral, and it’s with their hard work that we continue to win bigger and bolder projects. We’ll be looking to give our employees an option to be a part of our growth journey, to show we know their value and want them to grow with us."

Josh Mitchell, Director of Mitchell and Stones

Spark a conversation

You will usually find Josh doing one of four things currently at the weekend, watching rugby, watching boxing, fishing or reading dad books as his first child is due May 2025.

The best piece of business advice that’s helped Josh

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” It’s a classic, I’d encourage people to spend time thinking about the things you think about.

Your mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy. And the danger of overthinking can hold you back. Find a sweet spot, and keep your brain on side.”

Discover more of their secrets of success