Meet Sam Budd, CEO and Founder at Social Marketing Agency: Buddy Media

Tell us about Buddy Media?

Buddy Media is a social marketing agency with a core focus on bridging the gap between creative and performance.

We stand at the forefront of social media innovation and are committed to delivering exceptional results for our clients.

How did you come up with the idea for the company?

After working in the social media space for over a decade, I identified a critical gap in the industry: creative agencies excel at storytelling but often struggle with delivering measurable ROI, while media agencies are great at driving ROI but lack the creative capabilities that are essential for driving sales.

Buddy Media was born to bridge this gap. We deliver strong ROI, whilst telling impactful stories for our clients.

What is your advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?

• Define Your Vision: Be clear on your values, mission, and how you want to be perceived.
• Plan and Adapt: Create a flexible plan with ambitious goals but be ready to adjust as needed.
• Commit Long-Term: Be prepared for a decade of hard work and persistence.
• Get Mentors: Surround yourself with experienced mentors who will challenge and guide you.

What most excites you about Buddy Media?

The team and the community we’ve built. The energy within the company is unmatched, and I truly believe you can’t have a successful business without great people.

As someone who has battled ADHD and faced challenges growing up, it’s incredibly fulfilling to create an environment where mental health and wellbeing are prioritised – which is often rare in startups. I’ve experienced the effects of burn out first-hand, which makes me genuinely passionate and excited about creating a healthy work-life balance for our team.

At Buddy Media, we’re committed to supporting employees first-hand and ensuring that everyone feels valued, empowered, and able to thrive.

How has the company evolved over the last couple of years?

Over the last couple of years, the agency has evolved significantly, especially in how we approach both business growth and our company culture. Early on, we were focused on hitting our targets and navigating the challenges of launching a business straight into the pandemic. However, we quickly realised that without prioritising our people, we could create a toxic environment that would negatively impact both our team and business.

We shifted our focus to fostering a healthy workspace, empowering our team to take care of themselves and building a resilient culture. This focus on wellbeing has paid off – over the past 12 months, we’ve had no one leave the business. The results here clearly speak for themselves: when you prioritise people, business success follows.

What can we hope to see from Buddy Media in the future?

We’re focused on three key goals. Firstly, I want to establish Buddy Media as the leader in employee resilience and well-being programs. We’re investing significantly in this area, with initiatives like resilience coaching and wellness trips, aiming to create a supportive and health-focused work environment.

Secondly, I plan to launch some sort of extension of our efforts to positively impact those outside our company. This will involve working with charities and educational institutions to promote mental health and resilience, particularly for disadvantaged youth.

Lastly, I want to explore new product opportunities that align with our commitment to environmental impact and sustainability. I want these sorts of initiatives to not only enhance our business, but also extend our positive influence more broadly.