The Heard

Earned-first creative agency The Heard was launched in 2023 by Roxy Kalha, the former managing director of The Romans, who struck out on her own after seven years with backing from four members of the John Doe Group board. Operating independently, The Heard offers PR, social media, experiential and influencer relations, including strategy development, brand positioning, content creation, design and reputation management. The agency is on a mission to “put the brand and the brief back at the heart of creative brilliance,” listening closely to what’s been said – and not said – dissecting briefs to distil the real business problem, and coming up with big creative ideas to solve it.

The Heard reported fees of £539,000 in its second year, exceeding targets and maintaining double-digit profit margins since its inception, and with a further 28% growth in income predicted for this year. Since its inception, the agency has retained all its clients, with 80% committed to ongoing partnerships for 2025, and new business wins including nut butter brand Pip & Nut. The agency already has eight full-time and four part-time employees and has had a diverse team from the start and fosters a culture of creativity and innovation, encouraging its team to listen closely to client needs and market trends.

The Heard has already won pitches against industry heavyweights and been trusted with big brand strategic work, product launches, talent announcements, and brand launches. Creative work is characterized by strategic insights and cultural relevance. For instance, its campaign for Reign Storm, a new natural energy drink, effectively engaged audiences by addressing the cultural conversation around work-from-home dynamics, resulting in over 325 pieces of coverage across major media outlets. Similarly, its collaboration with Rudy's Pizza during Negroni Week leveraged a limited-edition merchandise strategy that not only generated significant media reach but also tripled Negroni sales within a week. —CD