Camilla Rose Ainsworth, the youngest ever finalist on hit TV show The Apprentice, has joined the team at Manchester agency Real Return Marketing.
Ainsworth was just 22 when she appeared on the BBC programme in 2018, finishing runner-up to Sian Gabbidon after battling her way to the final and impressing Lord Sugar throughout. In 2019 the drinks industry listed the young entrepreneur and Manchester University law graduate as one of the ‘Top 10 women to watch’ for her role as founder of dairy-free drinks brand mylkplus.
Although she didn’t win Lord Sugar’s investment, Ainsworth, originally from Lancashire, has since said she didn’t mind not winning the competition, and instead grew the foundations of mylkplus herself through months of independent investment and pro-active work before the finals arrived.
After narrowly missing out in the final, she was approached by health food giant Holland & Barrett’s CEO, who was impressed with her M+LKPLUS vegan nut milk. Ainsworth launched her product into 645 Holland and Barrett stores, where it has become hugely popular, and the dairy alternative has also been introduced to staff, patients and visitors at NHS hospitals around the country.
Announcing her new role on LinkedIn Ainsworth said: “I’m thrilled to announce that I’m officially partnering with Real Return Marketing.
“After working with them on several projects for my business consultancy clients, I’ve been absolutely blown away by the results.
“In the world of paid media, it is unbelievably difficult to trust people and to know WHO and WHERE to inject your money. These guys are honest, dynamic and are a small team which means they can be nimble to opportunity.
“From boosted brand visibility to serious revenue growth, Real Return delivers on their promises and then some. The collaboration just felt right from the start, and I couldn’t be more excited to join forces with a team that’s as passionate about creating impact as I am.
“If you’re interested in a new website/ a website refresh or any paid media services (meta, tik tok, Snapchat, Google ads) then shoot me a message. The team have already got the likes of Molly Mae’s brand ‘filter’ and men’s clothing juggernaut ‘Azat Mard’
Big things are coming—stay tuned!”
Real Return founder and marketing director Jonathan Alford-Leach said: “From the boardrooms with Lord Sugar to our office in Hale. We have a new member of the Real Return Marketing team.
“This week Camilla Rose Ainsworth joins as Sales Director to help elevate Real Return to the next level. Our client onboarding has always been built on referrals and partnerships so Camilla will help us identify, engage and onboard the best of the best. Sounds like progression to me. Welcome to the team Camilla”
Real Return works with high profile brands including Filter By Molly Mae, Illvzn (Tobi from the sidemen). Leach added: “As a business, we have been running for less than 2 years so this acquisition is a real show of intent.”
