Tom Paisley is a strategic marketer, social media expert, and entrepreneur with a passion for driving brand growth and crafting meaningful connections. As Director of Social at Action Global Communications, he leads award-winning teams, including a social media division that won three Middle East Stevie Awards in 2025. He also founded Italys Poem, a clothing brand focused on sustainability and timeless design, bringing creativity, organization, and business acumen to both his marketing and entrepreneurial ventures.

With over 14 years of experience, Tom has worked with renowned clients like Dubai World Trade Centre, UFC, Dubai Duty Free, and Messe Frankfurt UAE. His expertise spans social media strategy, creative storytelling, and content development, consistently generating impactful campaigns. His leadership in launching award-winning social media content and his ability to drive creative marketing initiatives have made him a key player in the industry.

Before joining Action, Tom was Senior Social Media Manager for EMEA at Google/YouTube, where he led strategy and provided insights to regional teams. His leadership roles at Xero, OLIVER AGENCY, Smart Energy GB, and CIPD further solidified his reputation as a skilled marketer capable of creating successful campaigns across diverse sectors.

Tom’s freelance work includes consulting for global campaigns, digital strategy across industries like HR, hospitality, and fashion e-commerce, and collaborating with high-profile influencers such as Maya Jama, Reggie Yates, and Munya Chawawa. His contributions have earned him prestigious awards, including two Gold Middle Eastern Stevie Awards for Social Media and the YouTube Works for Brands Award in 2018.

EXPERIENCE

Currently:

• Director @ The Avenella Agency

Previously:

• Director of Social at Action Global Communications
• Freelance Senior Marketer
• Senior Social Media Manager for EMEA at Google / YouTube
• Head of Social at TEOOH
• Senior Social Media & Community Manager at OLIVER AGENCY
  Unilever (UK), Danone (FR), Activia, Danonino (BR)
• Social Media Manager: UK & EMEA at Xero
• Head of Social at Smart Energy GB
• Social Media & Digital Communities Manager at CIPD

CLIENTS:

• Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai Duty Free, UFC Gym, Messe Frankfurt UAE, Tipalti, Google, Unilever, Danone, Activia, Xero, Smart Energy GB, CIPD.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION:

• Campaign Middle East Awards
  🏆  Best Agency of the Year UAE in 2024 [Action Global Communications].
• Winners Middle Eastern Stevie Awards for Social Media 2025
  🥇 GOLD: Most Innovative Facebook Page – Messe Frankfurt  2025
  🥇 GOLD:   Most Innovative Twitter Feed – Dubai World Trade Centre 2025
  🥉 BRONZE: Most Innovative Instagram Feed – Dubai World Trade Centre 2025
• 🏆 YouTube Works for Brands Award 2018 [Smart Energy GB]
• PRCA Awards 2018:
  🏆 Best Use of Digital 2018 [Smart Energy GB]
  🏆 Best Digital In-house Team 2018 [Smart Energy GB]
• Digital Impact Awards 2018:
  🏆 Best Audience Engagement Campaign [Smart Energy GB]
• Nominated for Best Audience Engagement Campaign @ UK Social Media Comms Awards 2017

Get in touch on LinkedIn.