Emma Thompson is head of agency at Leeds-based marketing agency Golley Slater.
She has headed up Golley Slater’s consumer brands division for over 11 years, bringing over 15 years of shopper marketing experience from working with major FMCG to challenger brands.
Here, she shares her top three influences with us…
The person that has inspired my working career the most, and why
It’s hard to pin this down on one individual because my career has been shaped by a collective of incredibly talented agency leaders and colleagues. I do get most of my inspiration from the creative directors whom I’ve worked with throughout my career. These are people who don’t just think outside the box – they completely dismantle it and reassemble it in surprisingly unexpected ways. When they come up with ideas, I’m often left thinking: ‘Where did that even come from? How does your mind work like that?’ They’re wired so differently from my more analytical approach, and that contrast has been incredibly inspiring.
Over the years, I’ve found that the work of creative directors isn’t just something I admire; it’s something that makes me proud. It’s their creative vision that I’m always thrilled to share with clients because it represents the kind of bold, boundary-pushing thinking that defines great marketing. They inspire me to keep learning and growing, which is what makes them such an integral part of my professional journey.
The place that has inspired my working career the most, and why
When it comes to physical places, there isn’t one specific location that stands out. What truly inspires me is the environment I’m in – anywhere I feel comfortable, valued, and encouraged to think freely and differently. That could be an agency office, where ideas are flying back and forth, or even a client’s space where the energy of their brand is palpable. So, less about geography and more about the feeling of collaboration, trust, and being surrounded by like-minded people.
However, if I were to think about specific experiences, my time working with Asda was quite inspiring after seeing them bring to life the strategies behind their brand initiatives in a collaborative way. It gave me a clearer understanding of how everything connects. It’s places like that, where you can see the bigger picture at play, that reignite your passion for your work. They remind you that what you’re doing is part of something much larger and impactful.
Ultimately, for me, inspiration comes from being in environments that foster curiosity and collaboration, whether that’s in an agency, a client’s office, or anywhere that brings people together to create something meaningful.
The thing that has inspired my working career the most, and why
The most inspiring thing about my marketing career is its innovation. The industry is always evolving, which means you’re constantly learning and adapting. Emerging technologies, new channels, and shifts in consumer behaviours keep the work fresh and exciting. This inspires me because it pushes me to stay curious and agile, never complacent. It allows me to learn and then teach which I get great satisfaction from.
Once talking to our founder, Mr Golley who set the business up in the 1950’s, said that after radio advanced to TV, the advertising industry saw much slower change than it does nowadays and innovating to keep relevant and competitive was the key to future-proofing the agency. And he was right. We spend and value the time we have for free thinking and individual training, as it will prosper all of us so we can push boundaries to market campaigns.
It’s not about mastering it – it’s about staying curious and finding new ways to approach problems. That’s the kind of inspiration that keeps me excited every single day.
