Cathal Gillen | Distinctive Bat
Author

Cathal Gillen

Co-Founder and Head of Strategy

Profile

Cathal is Co-Founder and Head of Strategy at Distinctive BAT. His focus is on helping brands achieve greater levels of distinctiveness. With experience spanning client-side roles in marketing and insights, as well as positions in creative and digital agencies, Cathal takes a pragmatic approach to transforming data and insights into actionable strategies.

His global marketing experience includes working with renowned brands such as Hendrick’s Gin, Tullamore D.E.W., and Glenfiddich during his time at William Grant & Sons as Global Marketing Effectiveness Manager. This background equips him with a deep understanding of the internal and external challenges brands face in pursuing distinctiveness across markets. Cathal leverages this expertise in both client engagements and public research, driving meaningful outcomes for the brands he works with.

With 20 years experience in marketing, Cathal feels old, however all this experience adds up in helping his clients succeed. Before his working life, Cathal achieved a BSc in Marketing from TUDublin and is originally from Sligo on the west coast of Ireland.

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The DNA Of
Distinctive Brands

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The Latest From Cathal Gillen

The Last Word - Unlocking Distinctive Taglines

The Last Word: Unlocking Distinctive Taglines

Meta-analysis of 500+ global taglines uncovers the creative and structural secrets behind brand memorability.
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The DNA Of Distinctive Brands - DBA Guide

The DNA Of Distinctive Brands - DBA Guide

Inspire your team and brand, by understanding how to achieve greater levels of distinctiveness with our guide to DBAs.
Read more

Distinctive Brand Asset Planning

So you’ve done your distinctive asset research or audit, you understand the equity in your distinctive assets and have clarity on which assets to hero, where the gaps are, and also have sight of the watchouts. The team has also completed a prioritisation job, you are clear on which assets will take the lead or […]
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From Scratch to Standout: Building DBAs That Work

Most brands don’t have a deeply embedded DBA so what should you do if you find yourself in this position?
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Earning The Right To Go Wide With Distinctive Assets

Earning The Right To Go Wide With Distinctive Assets

Creatively playing with and stretching your distinctive assets is key to embedding them, but how far can this be pushed?
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Key Factors in Distinctive Packaging Design

Key Factors in Distinctive Packaging Design

A distinctive pack is a brand growth multiplier. Get it right and you can drastically improve your chances of success.
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Distinctive Advertising Styles & Approaches

Distinctive Advertising Styles & Approaches

A distinctive approach to advertising pays back handsomely. Here are some approaches brands have taken to create a distinctive ad style.
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Taglines: Acquaintance Of Distinctiveness, Bedfellow Of Differentiation

Taglines: Acquaintance Of Distinctiveness, Bedfellow Of Differentiation

Can taglines become strong distinctive assets?
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Can Sprite's Label-Free Trial Prove Successful?

Can Sprite's Label-Free Trial Prove Successful?

Can Sprite's Label-Free Trial Prove Successful? We test out their label free pack.
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Jingles The Silent Powerhouses of Advertising (1)

Jingles: The Silent Powerhouses of Advertising?

Could jingles make a comeback? We explore the decline and potential.
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