Ben Wilson

Ben Wilson

Head of IT and Production, TDP Agency

Ben Wilson is Head of IT and Production at TDP Agency. He runs the delivery of all of TDP’s data, manages its SQL databases and builds the systems and reports behind the business. He writes TDP Agency’s blog on B2B and B2C data, compliance and marketing.

Posts by Ben Wilson

Why Most Campaigns Fail Before They Even Start

Most campaigns don’t fail because of the creative. Or the offer. Or even the budget. Those things matter, but most campaigns fail much earlier than that - at the point someone decides who to target and everyone just sort of nods it through. “Homeowners.”“AB...Read more

Why “Cheap Data” Is Rarely Cheap

On paper, cheap data looks like a win. Lower cost per record. Bigger volumes. Faster turnaround. A spreadsheet full of opportunity, delivered neatly to your inbox. Until it hits a live campaign. That’s usually the moment when expectations meet reality. Bounce rates...Read more

AI Isn’t Replacing Marketers – It’s Changing Their Role

You’ve probably seen the headlines and feeling the anxiety: AI is about to replace marketers. Content generated in seconds. Campaigns run automatically. Media bought and optimised without a human in sight. Scary times we’re living in!? However, the truth of it is AI...Read more

PECR fines are set to soar: what UK marketers need to know (and do)

The UK’s Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA) ushers in the biggest shift to direct-marketing enforcement in years. The headline: maximum penalties for PECR breaches (think unlawful email/SMS, telemarketing, and cookies/tracking) are being lifted from £500,000 to...Read more

Marketing in a UK slowdown: why smart spend wins when growth softens

When growth softens and prices won’t quite behave, marketing budgets are often first on the chopping block. It’s understandable - CFOs want certainty, pipelines wobble, and board packs suddenly feature more red than green. But if you’ve been through a few cycles,...Read more

Are Marketing Retainers Worth It? Pros & Benefits Explained

What Is a Marketing Retainer? If you’ve ever found yourself juggling multiple agencies, briefing freelancers at the last minute, or waiting weeks for quotes to land, a marketing retainer might sound like a dream. At its simplest, a marketing retainer is an agreement...Read more

Smarter Summer Hours at TDP – Why We’re Shifting the 9–5

At TDP, we’ve always believed that great work doesn’t need to come at the expense of wellbeing. This July, we're putting that belief into practice by trialling a shift in our working hours - starting the day at 8:00am and finishing at 4:00pm. The goal? To give our...Read more

Email and Postal Marketing for New-Home Sales: Accelerate Your Velocity

Email and Postal Marketing for New-Home Sales: Accelerate Your Velocity If you’re a property developer, you know that moving homes quickly is key. And here’s the good news: email and postal marketing for new-home sales can help you do just that—faster, smarter, and...Read more

How Lifestyle Segmentation Improves Direct Mail Response Rates

In a world of pixels, pop-ups, and push notifications, lifestyle segmentation in direct mail is helping brands make post feel relevant again. Direct mail still works — when it’s done right. And one of the best ways to make it work better? Lifestyle segmentation. Let’s...Read more

Is Royal Mail scoring an own goal with yet another price hike?

From April 7th 2025, the cost of sending a first-class stamp will rise to £1.70, and second-class will increase to 87p. This is Royal Mail’s latest move in a series of price hikes aimed at balancing the books against falling demand. However, for marketers and small...Read more

10 Ways to Improve Your Email Open Rates (Without Relying on Gimmicks)

In a world of cluttered inboxes and constant distractions, getting someone to actually open your email can feel like a big win. The truth is, there’s no magic trick—but there are smart, proven tactics that can genuinely lift your open rates and make your email...Read more

How Data Cleansing Can Save Your Marketing Budget: Unlock Efficiency and Maximise ROI

In today’s data-driven landscape, even the best marketing strategy can fall short if the underlying data isn’t accurate. Poor data quality leads to wasted postage, ineffective email campaigns, and misguided telemarketing efforts—all of which inflate your marketing...Read more

Named vs Unnamed Postal Campaigns: Maximising Your Direct Mail Impact

Postal campaigns remain a vital channel for reaching your audience. They offer a tangible connection and impressive response rates that digital channels often can’t match. At TDP Agency, we supply robust datasets and complete postal campaign services to ensure your...Read more

The Critical Importance of Cleansing Data Against the TPS Register Before Telemarketing Campaigns

Telemarketing remains a cornerstone of many companies' marketing strategies. It provides a direct line to prospective customers, enabling businesses to build relationships, generate leads, and drive sales. However, with great opportunity comes great responsibility—and...Read more

What a Pair! How Combining Email and Direct Mail Drives Results

In today’s multi-channel marketing world, standing out from the crowd means knowing how to leverage the best of both digital and physical outreach. For years, marketers have debated the benefits of digital channels like email marketing versus more traditional channels...Read more

Why Brand Awareness is Just as Important as Sales

When businesses think about marketing, they often aim for immediate sales. However, marketing isn’t just about quick wins—it’s about building brand awareness, which drives long-term growth. At TDP Agency, we know that creating lasting impressions can lead to organic...Read more

Is Inaccurate Data Draining Your Marketing Budget?

Imagine launching a marketing campaign with high hopes, only to find that your efforts fall flat. What went wrong? It could be that the data you’re using is outdated, inaccurate, or full of duplicate entries. Poor data quality is one of the biggest budget drains in...Read more

We’re Proud to Be a Culture 100 Award Winner!

We are excited to announce that TDP Agency has been selected as a winner of the prestigious Culture 100 award! This recognition honours the top companies in the UK that truly put their people first, fostering a progressive and fulfilling workplace environment. The...Read more

The Digital Information and Smart Data Bill: Impacts on Data Marketing

The Digital Information and Smart Data Bill, announced in July 2024, marks a major step in the UK’s ambition to harness data for economic growth, while improving public services and strengthening data protection. For data marketing agencies like ours, the Bill...Read more

Understanding the power of a data list

In the competitive world of business, leveraging data effectively can make a significant difference in your sales and marketing outcomes. A well-curated data list serves as a powerful tool to drive targeted campaigns, engage potential customers, and ultimately...Read more

Living Wage vs. Minimum Wage: TDP Agency’s Commitment to Fair Pay

In the evolving landscape of employment, the terms "living wage" and "minimum wage" often surface in discussions about fair pay. At TDP Agency, we are proud to announce our accreditation as a living wage employer. In this blog, we will delve into the distinctions...Read more

The Uncertain Future of the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill

As the UK transitions to a new government led by the Labour Party, the future of the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill remains uncertain. This crucial piece of legislation, designed to modernise the UK’s data protection framework, is at a crossroads. Will...Read more

Navigating Royal Mail Price Hikes: The Resurgence of Direct Mail Marketing

As Royal Mail announces price hikes slated for July, businesses across the UK are evaluating the impact on their marketing strategies. With increased postage costs, many are questioning the viability of direct mail (DM). The immediate reaction might be to cut back on...Read more

Understanding the Customer Journey: From Awareness to Conversion

In this blog post, we delve into the stages of the customer journey from initial awareness to final conversion and beyond. Learn how to capture attention during the awareness stage with SEO and content marketing, build interest in the consideration stage through email campaigns and retargeting ads, encourage conversions in the decision stage with clear CTAs and special promotions, and foster loyalty post-purchase with follow-up communications and loyalty programs.Read more

Experian Wins Appeal Against ICO Enforcement Notice: A Summary

In a recent development, credit reference agency Experian has successfully appealed an enforcement notice issued by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) in the UK. This decision has significant implications for data processing practices and the interpretation...Read more

Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket: Why Multi-Channel Marketing Campaigns Rule

In the fast-paced world of marketing, reaching your target audience is paramount but with so many communication channels available, it's tempting to choose just one – email, social media, telephone or maybe a sole direct mail campaign. Here at TDP Agency, we advocate...Read more

The Customer Balancing Act: Why Nurturing Loyalty and Smart Acquisition Go Hand-in-Hand

In the world of marketing, a never-ending dance unfolds: attracting new customers and nurturing existing relationships. Here at TDP Agency, we believe both are vital for sustained success. While existing customers are your golden ticket (we stand by that!), growing...Read more

The Power of Fresh: Why Keeping Your B2B Data Up-to-Date is Marketing Gold

In today's data-driven marketing landscape, TDP Agency knows the importance of reliable information. As a company that thrives on using customer data to craft winning marketing strategies, we understand that the quality of your data is just as crucial as its quantity....Read more

Can You Just Buy Data? The Art of Responsible Targeting

Can You Just Buy Data? The Art of Responsible Targeting In the fast-paced world of marketing, the allure of a simple "buy button" for targeted data can be strong. But at TDP Agency, we believe responsible data acquisition is more like crafting a masterpiece – it...Read more

Five Marketing Trends to look out for in 2024!

It’s 2024 in case you hadn’t noticed! Hopefully the hangover from new year’s eve has worn off, you haven’t broken all of the resolutions yet and are looking forward to the year ahead full of new marketing possibilities! We are kick-starting with a quick guide to...Read more

Welcome to the Blog of Email Marketing Mastery!

In the whirlwind of the new year, it's easy to lose sight of your marketing goals. But, if you're looking to make your email marketing campaign a smashing success this year, you've come to the right place! We've put together a seven-point guide that will help you...Read more

Ways to keep your PECR up?

A quick guide to the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations Everyone’s heard of GDPR, which became law in 2018 – but what is PECR? And how does it apply to you and your business? PECR stands for the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations – which...Read more

TDP’s Top Tips for boosting Engagement and Reducing Unsubscribes?

TDP's Top Tips for Boosting Engagement and Reducing Unsubscribes.  Boosting engagement and reducing unsubscribes are some of the main goals when it comes to email marketing. Companies work hard to get a good customer database and invest a lot of time and money on...Read more