Simon Cocker is founder and managing director of Voodoo Agency, a digital marketing agency based across Manchester and Preston.
For almost 25 years, Cocker and his agency have worked with start-ups, small and medium-sized businesses, and public and private national organisations.
Recent clients and projects include Aquinas College in Stockport and the Safer Streets Campaign across Cheshire and Merseyside, which aims to tackle violence against women and girls. The agency recently won a marketing services tender with Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire & Merseyside, representing Warrington Business Improvement District.
The agency has historically worked with several public sector agencies, including Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside Police, Lancashire Council, North West Development Agency, Lake District National Park, and BAE Systems.
Here, Cocker shares his career journey, tips and words of advice.
How did you first get into your industry?
During my studies at Manchester University, I worked for many brands in the fashion industry. To better understand how companies operate, I always asked business owners and marketing departments how they promoted their brands. Through networking and getting to know various suppliers, my first project was designing and building an interactive CD-ROM for a public school in Lancashire. This led me to market multimedia interactive CD-ROM business cards with video and graphics about businesses. This passion for digital creativity, problem-solving and running successful projects early in my career led me to take the plunge and start Voodoo. The rest, as they say, is history.
What do you love about your job?
What I find most rewarding about my job at Voodoo Agency is the blend of constant learning and creative and technical challenges. Working with innovative colleagues in branding, design, and digital marketing is incredibly rewarding. Collaborating with a talented team to bring our client’s visions to life is a fulfilling experience. Our constantly evolving digital landscape keeps me firmly on my toes, ensuring we are always on top of our game.
Who – or what – has inspired you in your career?
A blend of visionaries springs to mind. Dieter Rams’ ‘less, but better’ philosophy has provided a beacon for design ethos, emphasising simplicity and functionality. The bold visual identity work of Paula Scher has influenced branding strategies. With their revolutionary approach to product and user experience design, Steve Jobs and Sir Jony Ive have inspired the creation of intuitive digital experiences.
Web solutions have been made more accessible and innovative through Tim Berners-Lee’s digital pioneering spirit. Meanwhile, the creative genius of Thomas Heatherwick has inspired us to create projects that illustrate how physical and digital worlds can harmoniously integrate. These figures and many more have inspired me to try and craft distinct, memorable brands and digital experiences that stand out.
What are the biggest challenges about your job?
One of my main challenges is keeping up with the fast-changing digital world. New tools and strategies emerge daily; I try to figure out which to keep an eye on. I have to be creative and technical and ensure the numbers add up. Great ideas aren’t enough; we must ensure they generate leads and grow our client’s businesses. Our team must pull in the same direction, balancing what our clients need with what we do well.
Meanwhile, we strive to make our services affordable for SMEs in our region. As a North West business, we want to provide excellent creative and technical solutions without breaking the bank. Despite these hurdles, getting over them makes the team and I proud of what we do at Voodoo.
What skills have been the most crucial to you succeeding in your career so far?
Despite our fast-paced world, I have found the key to coping with business fairly straightforward. You must be patient with yourself because successful things do not happen overnight. Staying calm in the face of challenges and not overreacting or catastrophising is imperative. When I am not feeling it, I work hard to grind it out and get something positive out of the day. I’m tenacious; I don’t give up easily. My big driver is to provide for my family so we can experience life, share memories and make the most of our time together.
What was your first salary and what could someone getting into the industry expect to earn nowadays?
My salary in the fashion industry was good, but when I started Voodoo in 1999, I paid myself very little to ensure its success. It really depends on experience, but I’d estimate that graphic designers at larger agencies might start at around £30,000, a front-end developer at £35,000, and a digital marketing manager at £35,000 – £40,000.
What education or training would be most useful for someone looking to follow your career path?
For someone interested in pursuing a similar career path in branding, design, and digital marketing, formal education and practical experience are both recommended. A degree in Graphic Design, Marketing, or Digital Media from a reputable university will give you a strong foundation. Complement this with professional certifications, such as those offered by Google Digital Garage, Adobe Certified Expert, or the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Take online courses through platforms like Coursera, Udemy or Linkedin Learning to keep up with the latest trends and tools. Demonstrating your skills through a robust portfolio of real-world projects is essential. Last but not least, never stop learning. This field evolves rapidly, so continuous education through workshops and industry events is essential. A combination of education, certification, and hands-on experience is the most effective way to prepare for a successful career in this dynamic field.
What advice would you have for someone looking to follow your path?
To pursue a career in the creative industry, you must be tolerant, creative, and thick-skinned. I’d combine formal education in fields like graphic design, marketing, PR, and digital media with professional certifications from reputable organisations like Google Digital Garage, Adobe, and CIM. Stay current in this industry by taking online courses and developing a portfolio that showcases your expertise and skills through real-world projects. Thrive in this ever-evolving field with continuous learning and hands-on experience.
