UAE-based communications heavyweights Margaret Flanagan and Lisa King announced the launch of their new agency, Tales & Heads. With a combined 40 years of industry experience with global agencies in both London and Dubai, the duo formed Tales & Heads to focus on strategic, insight-driven campaigns that are rooted in great ideas and work across platforms.
“After decades with big firms, we wanted to start an agency where consultancy and creative storytelling go hand-in-hand,” says Tales & Heads co-founder Margaret Flanagan. “We saw a need among clients for trusted counsel coupled with the delivery of engaging and effective content. That’s why our focus is on ideas and initiatives that work across channels, create emotional impact and bring brands closer to their audiences.”
Tales & Heads will use its independent status and new virtual business models to maximise opportunities for clients to work with creative talent across disciplines and geographies. Tales & Heads Co-founder Lisa King says:
“Because we are a new agency, we are as agile as the digital world we live in. We thrive on real and virtual collaboration. With access to a global network developed over decades, we handpick artists, musicians, developers, anthropologists, activation specialists, product designers, data analysts and more to address our clients’ challenges in ways that are culturally relevant, human and memorable.”
Flanagan and King believe their backgrounds in earned media give them an edge. “The essential nature of earned media is that it holds intrinsic value for its audiences,” says King. “Understanding what works in the earned space adds weight and depth to shared, owned and paid media. It’s the base for building lasting bonds between consumers and brands.”
Tales & Heads’ co-founders have worked with some of the world’s and region’s biggest companies and public sector organisations, and have extensive experience in consumer brands, hospitality and destination marketing. The pair also have significant crisis and reputation recovery expertise, having advised businesses and governments in EMEA on issues as wide-ranging as terrorist attacks, natural and environmental disasters, product recalls, litigation, fake news and social media scandals, as well as crisis scenario training and issues preparedness. In previous roles, their clients have included Ford, Lufthansa, NIVEA, Jumeirah Group, Seera Group and TUI, as well as government agencies across the Arabian Gulf.
In 2019, Flanagan was awarded the Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) Fellowship for her contribution to the industry and she sits on the association’s strategy board. She was also listed as one of the region’s top communications professionals in the PRWeek Middle East Power Book 2019 and 2020.
