Outside Line grows its team

Digital design and marketing group Outside Line is expanding with a raft of senior appointments.

The recruits will take the total number of staff to 40, across the design and marketing arms of the business.

Michael Elkeslassy joins as head of design, overseeing a team of 20 graphic designers, motion graphic designers, flash developers and coders, working alongside director Greg Findon.

Director Lloyd Salmons says that design now accounts for 60 per cent of turnover and the aim is to continue to grow this side of the business.

Other appointments include Ronnie Brown as marketing and account director, Clare Ruck as chief financial officer and Hazel Cottey as new business director.

Cottey will be responsible for bringing on board new clients who are looking for a ‘complete package’.

Elkeslassy comes from Proximity London, where he was art director.

He previously held positions at a number of consultancies including Publicis Dialog, Agency.com, Mook and Good Technology, working with clients such as Allianz, Renault, Playstation, Canon and Napster.

Commenting on the growth of digital, Salmons says, ‘What we’re seeing these days is that the digital and design process has to start much earlier on. Getting it right at the beginning means that execution will be much easier.’

‘Our aim is to create visually fantastic but effective work. We’re starting to see a greater understanding of digital mediums from clients. There will be a period of catching up education-wise, but everyone’s starting to take digital seriously,’ he adds.

Outside Line was founded seven years ago by Salmons and fellow director Ant Cauchi. It specialises in digital design, production, branding and marketing for the music and entertainment sectors.