blackandgold is an independent consulting agency that specialises in consumer branding, digital and innovation.
Based in Paris, Shanghai, New York, Dubai and Geneva, we have been working for nearly 29 years to develop brands that are leaders in their own markets.
Agency
Figures
Agency
Capabilities
ConsumerCulture•
Our focus is historically and deeply consumer-oriented.
Because from the very beginning, we have specialised in B2C marketing, and have gained an unrivaled understanding of the FMCG world.
Because we see every day that having the consumer choose a product or a brand is the most challenging and exciting moment of truth for any creative idea. Because brand equity becomes embedded in consumers’ minds, and demands an in-depth knowledge of their aspirations and behaviours.
ConsumerExperience•
Our primary role is to be present, with skill and vision, at each interface between a brand and its end consumer, to help brands achieve optimal consumer experiences:
- Product Experiences
Product innovation, identity, structural design, packaging design, usage design, etc.
- Point of Sales Experiences
On-trade and off-trade activation, shopper marketing, retail, etc.
- Digital Experiences
Digital utility, brand sites, commercial sites, social media, etc.
ConsumerKnowledge•
Our strength is our understanding of end consumer behaviours and motivations, which inspires and illuminates all of our activities, whether related to sound brand strategy, creation or innovation.
That’s why we've created a blackbox team dedicated to consumer knowledge, involving a complete range of approaches, from trendwatching via qualitative studies to ethnographic exploration.
Agency
People
Daniel is a pioneer of French consumer branding, where he started over 35 years ago. It was working alongside Michel Besnier, who led the expansion of the Lactalis group, that Daniel honed his skills as Artistic Director, presiding over the creation and then the management of the company's brand identities. A born entrepreneur, he founded the blackandgold agency in 1990, developed and took it international, while keeping it independent and on a human scale.
Highly intuitive, Daniel is moved by every form of creation, from architecture to sculpture, via interior design. But it is the light and the colours of the Mediterranean that thrill him most.
Daniel DHONDT
President
Yannick has over 25 years' experience in consumer branding and creative direction, with very particular expertise in patrimonial brands. Part of the founding team of blackandgold in 1991, he notably manages long-standing clients such as the Lactalis and Panzani Lustucru groups.
Yannick is a passionate man who enjoys a challenge, and likes nothing more than tackling the complex subjects of brand or range architecture. He is also a sports coach for a group of creatives, and he knows how to motivate them as far as the Parisian semi-marathon 'battle runs'.
Yannick SOUBRIER
Partner - Creative
Elodie has over 20 years' experience in consumer branding and sales management, 15 of them with blackandgold. She heads up one of the agency's two divisions with verve and passion, driving the entire portfolio. In particular, she manages long-standing key accounts, such as Lactalis, Panzani Lustucru and Eckes Granini.
Elodie really cares about the well-being of her clients and her colleagues, which shows through her courtesy and thoughtful gestures. She never forgets to bring sweets and treats back from her many trips, to the delight of the agency's foodies!
Elodie ORIEUX
Partner - Marketing
Cecilia has 15 years' experience in brand strategy, industry trends and innovation with a broad range of clients, such as Heineken, Renault and McDonald's. Today she is the agency's strategy and development leader, and runs the blackbox bureau, which is dedicated to research and innovation projects. A graduate of the Sorbonne CELSA School of Journalism in Paris, since 2008 she has been teaching there, in a subject that means constantly renewing and questioning herself.
A foodie, both clients and the agency benefit from her passion, as she shares with us the best eating spots she discovers.
Cécilia TASSIN
Partner - Strategy and Development
blackbox Manager
Over the last 25 years, Ruta has criss-crossed Europe. After starting with Peter Schmidt in Hamburg, she worked with Dragon Rouge then Landor Paris, before taking the creative lead for Designboard in Brussels. Back in France, she contributed to the Hinsdale relaunch before joining blackandgold. This multicultural career path has built up a strong expertise in international brands, from Milka to Coca-Cola.
Rational and inspired, Ruta bases her approach to creative excellence on an imperative of strong content. As a dance and modern art enthusiast, she likes to dive into the effervescence of Berlin every year to recharge her batteries.
Ruta FIGAROL
Partner - Creative
Camille has more than 15 years' experience in consumer branding, with clients as diverse as Orangina, Dim, Mondelez, Heineken and Haribo. Having started out at Carré Noir, she then worked at Landor Paris for seven years, in particular handling the international management of the Gold Coast and Milka brands, and of the Lego and Lu accounts. She joined blackandgold in 2007, and now manages one of the two sales teams.
With her boundless optimism and energy, Camille is expert at resolving the most complex questions. Summer or winter, she always stands out, sporting vibrant colours that reflect her contagious good mood.
Camille DE CHOCQUEUSE
Partner - Marketing
After living 8 years in Asia working both for brands and agency, Stéphanie has become an expert in developing new markets. Graduated from ESSEC Paris and Singapore, she has a true international spirit, able to adapt customers’ expectations to local markets. Now living in Dubai, she is in the heart of the Middle East living into a multicultural city full of opportunities for brands from all over the world.
Not afraid of challenges, she is always looking for innovation and new concepts. When she is not travelling, you will find her training for her next half marathon or exploring little gems in the city.
Stephanie MORET HONNART
Business Director - Dubai
Maryline started her career with Black and Gold 15 years ago. She then started an international path by joining Dragon Rouge in Bangkok and later Singapore. For 9 years, she managed a portfolio of global, regional and local brands, helping them to develop on the South east asian market. Some of her clients included Unilever, Mondelez, Kellogg’s and Nestlé.
She settled in Lausanne end of 2016 and couldn’t resist blackandgold offer to develop the Swiss market.
Globtrotter in her personal and professional life, Maryline is always motivated by new adventures and challenges.
Maryline RICARD
Business Director - Geneva
After graduating from Sciences Po Lille and Celsa, Vadim began his career in journalism before joining the world of advertising as a planner. At BETC, CLM and Wunderman, he worked with clients such as LVMH, Mars, Danone or Pernod on their various strategical challenges, from branding to communication all the way to product innovation.
And because eating and reading are his two main passions, he dedicates his free-time to coining the perfect French translation of the word “food”.
A cyclist on weekdays and week-ends, it’s on the roads of the region that he keeps the wheels turning.
Vadim Poulet
Senior Strategic Planner
A Celsa graduate, Joséphine spends 6 months in Seoul, before joining blackandgold as a Junior strategic planner
Passionate about K-Pop culture and Korean soft power, Joséphine is half English, and brings her writing skills and sharp analytic eye to the international projects at the agency.
Joséphine Gray
Junior Strategic Planner
After graduating in Sociology at University Paris Descartes, Clara starts her carrier in the Consumer Insight team at L’Oréal Garnier DMI. She then joins Colorado Group research firm. She works as research executive then research manager for 4 years, and gorws her skills in both qualitative and quantitative research, for clients of BtoC and BtoB industries, including retail, banking and cosmetics.
Elle joins blackbox in 2019 as Research Manager.
Passionate about DIY, she uses her skills and sense of method to tackle the agency challenges.
Clara Firminhac
Research Manager