This year, we celebrate an incredible milestone: 18 years of Anicca Digital. From modest beginnings to becoming a leader in digital marketing, Anicca’s journey mirrors the remarkable life and career of its founder, Ann Stanley. This is not just a story of professional success but also one of personal growth, resilience, and transformation.
The Early Days: A Bold Leap of Faith
Ann’s path to digital marketing began in a place far removed from the digital world: medical research, leather and pharmaceutical industries. As a researcher, she applied scientific rigour to her work, but it was her role in marketing contract services that ignited her passion for promoting ideas and solutions. Her transition to full-time marketing wasn’t just a career pivot but also a bold leap into uncharted territory.
By the early 2000s, Ann was already exploring eMarketing, a precursor to the digital revolution that would soon take hold. She first started in online marketing, as Business Development Director at MediaCo, an SEO agency.
Ann’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to found Anicca Digital in 2007 alongside her business partner, Alex Fowler. They had been friends for many years and started working together selling property online in 2004.
The timing was challenging. The global financial crisis tested the resilience of the fledgling agency. Yet, Ann’s technical expertise, combined with a hands-on understanding of running a business, became Anicca’s unique selling point. The agency quickly gained recognition for its PPC and SEO services, helping businesses navigate the complexities of digital marketing.
Anicca’s Evolution: Milestones and Innovation
From the outset, Anicca was a company built on innovation and expertise. Here are some of the defining moments in its history:
- Establishing Expertise: In 2010, Anicca became one of the first agencies in the UK to achieve Google AdWords Certified Partner status. This recognition solidified its reputation as a leader in digital marketing.
- Expanding Services: Over the years, Anicca broadened its offerings, incorporating PR, social media, and content marketing. The addition of training programmes and bootcamps further demonstrated its commitment to education and empowerment.
- Award-Winning Campaigns: Anicca’s innovative campaigns earned numerous accolades, including the Drum Search Awards Grand Prix and Large Paid Media Agency of the Year.
- Navigating Challenges: The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant challenges, but it also spurred innovation. Anicca launched a popular webinar series, providing valuable resources to marketers during uncertain times.
The People Behind the Success
Anicca’s achievements are a testament to the dedication of its talented team. Key figures like:
- Darren Wynn, now Managing Director, has been instrumental in driving the agency forward.
- Caroline Spence, former Head of PR and Content Marketing, and now a senior lecturer at De Montfort University, played a pivotal role in shaping Anicca’s broader service offerings.
- Angie Longman, Operations Director, has contributed to streamlining client delivery and operational excellence and now heads up Anicca Academy, our training and education division, which has delivered Level 5 Skills bootcamps to nearly 1000 learners over the last 3 years.
Other long-serving team members, including Holly Kelly (Head of Paid Media), Brad Longman (Head of Owned and Earned Media), and Rajal Prajapat (Head of Customer Services), have been with Anicca for over a decade, exemplifying the agency’s culture of growth and loyalty.
Championing Equality and Development
Under Ann’s leadership, Anicca has always championed equality and professional growth. With a leadership team that’s 66% female, the agency exemplifies how a focus on talent and inclusion can redefine industry norms. The grant-funded digital skills bootcamps have empowered hundreds of learners, particularly women, to excel in digital marketing.
Personal Triumphs and Challenges
Behind the professional milestones, Ann’s personal journey has been equally inspiring. In 2013, she wrote a deeply personal blog in memory of her mother, Mary Patricia Clode, who had passed away 20 years earlier. Reflecting on her mother’s legacy and the changes she had missed over two decades, Ann’s words resonated with many. Since then, Ann’s family has grown; her daughter Penny, is now studying psychology at the Open University, and Ann is now a proud grandmother to Georgia (aged 11) and Reggie (aged 7). She is now married to the very patient Tony Simmonds, whom she first met at university.
Reflections and Legacy
As Ann reflects on 18 years of Anicca, it’s clear that her journey has been about more than just building a successful agency. It’s about creating opportunities, challenging norms, and leaving a lasting impact—both professionally and personally. From her scientific roots to her role as a mentor and industry leader, Ann’s story is one of resilience, vision, and inspiration.
Embracing the Future: AI and Ecommerce
Looking ahead, Anicca is focusing on two transformative areas: ecommerce marketing and AI. By leveraging cutting-edge AI tools, the agency is streamlining processes and providing clients with smarter, data-driven strategies. This dedication has culminated in initiatives like monthly ecommerce lunches, which encourage industry collaboration and the sharing of insights, and the launch of EPIC 25 – The Ecommerce Performance and Innovation Conference, a flagship event that highlights breakthroughs in the sector. As 2025 unfolds, Anicca plans to roll out advanced AI-powered tools and consultancy services, reaffirming its position as an innovative leader in digital marketing.
As we celebrate this milestone, we honour not only Anicca’s achievements but also the people and values that have shaped its success. Here’s to 18 years of innovation, and to an even brighter future ahead.
If you’re inspired by Anicca’s journey and want to learn more about our services, training programmes, or upcoming events like EPIC 25, get in touch with us today. Let’s shape the future of digital marketing together.