Charley Brennand: Driving Innovation in Paid Media and Building a Thriving Community
At Ministry of Work Unplugged, we love uncovering the stories behind the exceptional entrepreneurs within our community. This time, we sat down with Charley Brennand, a paid media consultant, community founder, and conference organiser. With a career spanning some of the biggest brands in the world, Charley is now on a mission to build something truly unique in the marketing industry.
A Portfolio Career with a Purpose
Charley describes herself as having a “portfolio career,” balancing three major ventures: paid media consultancy, community building, and launching a conference. Each aspect of her work is deeply connected, and her focus right now is on the upcoming event she is organising.
Mastering Paid Media for Global Brands
Charley’s expertise in paid media is the foundation of her career. Specialising in Google Shopping, Google Search, Microsoft Ads, and programmatic advertising, she has worked with some of the most recognised names in retail and technology.
“Most of my career was spent as a permanent employee”.
“I’ve worked with JD Sports, We Buy Any Car, O2, and more recently, Domino’s and Refi”
Charlie explains. “Since going out on my own nearly three years ago, I’ve continued working with top-tier brands while also supporting SMEs looking to scale their digital advertising.”
Her role is all about ensuring businesses are placing the right ads in front of the right audience at the right time. It’s a complex and ever-evolving landscape, but one she has mastered over years of hands-on experience.
Building a Community for PPC Professionals
Recognising the need for a supportive space within her industry, Charley founded the PPC Academy—a community for paid media professionals to share challenges, strategies, and insights.
“I found it really hard to break into this profession at the start,” she recalls. “Then when I moved into contracting, I suddenly lost my team. Who do you talk to when things go wrong? How do you test new strategies? That’s why I built PPC Academy—to create a space where people could connect, support each other, and grow.”
PPC, or pay-per-click advertising, is a vital part of digital marketing. Unlike organic strategies, it requires businesses to put their money directly behind ads. Charley’s community provides a much-needed forum for professionals to discuss the ever-changing world of paid media.
Launching Performance Manchester: A Conference Like No Other
Charley’s latest and most ambitious project is Performance Manchester, a conference designed specifically for paid media professionals. Unlike traditional marketing events, which often focus on polished success stories, Charlie’s vision is different.
“I’ve been to so many conferences where it’s all about ‘look how great we are’ or ‘here’s how we boosted revenue by X percent,’ but that’s not when people need help,” she explains. “You need help when things are going wrong. When a strategy flops, when budgets are tight, when competition is fierce. That’s what this event is about—tackling the real, unfiltered challenges.”
Describing the event as “raw and unfiltered,” she is deliberately positioning it as an antidote to the polished corporate conferences dominating the industry. “It’s going to be real. I’m not an events specialist—I’m learning as I go. And I think people will appreciate that. It’s not about flashy banners or gimmicky tote bags, it’s about delivering actual value.”
The goal? 1,000 attendees. It’s ambitious, but Charley is confident in the demand.
“Manchester is crying out for more industry events. When MadFest launched up North, 6,000 people turned up on day one. The appetite is there. Now it’s just about making sure people know about it.”
Biggest Challenges and Lessons Learned
Organising a large-scale conference from scratch has not been without its difficulties.
“There are two big challenges,” Charley admits. “First, I’ve never run an event before, so I’m constantly dealing with unexpected issues. Venues get double booked, speakers drop out, Wi-Fi cuts out—you can’t predict everything.”
The second challenge is funding. Without a major corporate backer, Charley has had to build the event on a lean budget. “It’s tough to generate PR without throwing money at it, but we’re making it work.”
Proudest Moments and Future Aspirations
Despite the challenges, Charley is immensely proud of what she has built so far.
“I experience the same fear every time I take on a new client, start a new project, or launch a new idea.
“It’s a mix of anxiety, imposter syndrome, and fear of failure”
“But I’ve learned to push through it. My proudest achievement is not letting fear stop me.”
Looking ahead, her goal is clear.
“I want Performance Manchester to be one of the go-to marketing conferences worldwide, not just in the UK. I want it to be a must-attend event for paid media professionals at every stage of their career.”
Giving and Receiving Support
Charley is always happy to share her expertise in paid advertising with fellow members. “A lot of businesses throw money at ads without optimising where they’re sending traffic. If your landing page is terrible, paid ads won’t save you. I can help people navigate that.”
In return, she is looking for help with PR, brand elevation, and growing the conference’s visibility.
“I feel like I’m climbing a wall with no ropes. Any advice on how to get the word out and secure press coverage would be invaluable.”
Beyond Work: A Passion for Running
Outside of work, Charley is an avid runner. “I do Parkrun, I’ve completed a few half marathons, and the London Marathon is on my bucket list,” she says. Unfortunately, a recent injury means she’s taking a break from running for now, but she’s eager to get back to it.
Best Advice Ever Received
Charley shares a piece of wisdom that has shaped her approach to life and business:
“Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re probably right. It’s all about mindset. If you assume something is impossible, you’ll never try. But if you push forward in spite of fear, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.”
Where to Find Charley
For those looking to connect, Charley is most active on LinkedIn and in the Ministry of Work WhatsApp group. If you’re interested in Performance Manchester, keep an eye out for updates – this is an event you won’t want to miss.
