Roderick Banner

Rod founded the technology marketing group, Banner Corporation in 1984 and left it in 2009. It had grown to become the largest Business to Business agency in Europe and boasted the best of the world's blue chip tech firms as its clients. Since selling Banner to WPP, Rod became an angel investor - specialising in marketing technology players. Investments include: The Sound Agency, Appinions, EngageSciences, The Filter, EveryOneCounts and Shopa. This sector has proved to be exciting, dynamic and rewarding. Rod has several day jobs, one of which is Forgather - a fresh, new business proposition. Its mission is to build and develop event properties that enhance people’s lives. Rod believes that the power of ‘real life’ experience is often underestimated in an online world. Most social content relates to human interaction and engagement. So Forgather creates events packed with exuberance, intelligence and fun so that participants (both on stage and in the audience) want to be there and want to come back. To complete the offer, the company builds audiences and communities around live events to maximise returns on any investment. Rod is also working on a new proposition - 3LA.com. This business offers digital planning services to help big brand CMOs (and their agencies) grapple with the complex, cluttered landscape of marketing automation technologies, social media platforms and increasing mobile priorities. The company leverages the diverse experience of a global group of highly experienced technologists and marketers and focuses on very pragmatic business outcomes. Specialties: Social media, mobile and marketing automation. 25 plus years in creating tangible, marketing-driven success for technology companies located in EMEA. Architecting brands. Having as much fun as possible - within the law and a good moral compass. Writing Linkedin testimonials.