256 - Welcome to the House of Content.

Hello, we are 256, a full-service, creative content marketing agency.

We're on a mission to stamp out random acts of content, helping brave brands tell stories people want to hear. We unlock competitive advantage, informed by data, crafting and scaling content experiences that build community and drive revenue.

We believe that storytellers change the world. They really do.

Born from a team of journalists, we develop highly efficient marketing ecosystems and fuel them with customer-first omnichannel content.

We provide digital marketing, automation and personalization, creative services, content and social media marketing solutions and SEO honed through our test-and-learn philosophy.

Data is at the core of everything we do. So much so, we developed SiteSeeer™ a proprietary content audit software. SiteSeeer™ informs strategy, proves content ROI and shows marketing teams what to do and where to focus first.

With a roster of blue-chip global clients, we are Ireland’s most awarded content marketing agency and the world’s only agency to have gained ISO 9000 certification for our digital marketing services.

Our experience across B2B and B2C clients is a unique differentiator among agencies.

Check out our company values, or as we call them 'who we are when no one is looking'. And if you like the sound of us, talk to us about how we make the content chaos easy. 😊

Meet our team...

Karen Hesse

CEO + Founder

CEO and Founder of 256 Karen Hesse set up 256 as Ireland's first full-service content marketing agency in 2013. Since then, not only has she helped clients in Ireland and abroad embrace content marketing, she's helped start an industry here. When not in our office masterminding 256's next great idea, she's exploring the stunning coastline of Donegal - and masterminding 256's next great idea.

Neil Gordon

Creative Director

Neil's 25 years of experience in graphic design and visual communication has driven 256's creativity with his no-fuss, concise approach as our Creative Director. A fine art graduate and Adobe Certified Expert, he has worked across print, video production, web, illustration and every other medium imaginable. Londoner Neil is a lifetime Tottenham Hotspur fan and season ticket holder, he's often seen following their woes.

Brendan McGinley

Head of Client Services

Head of Client Services, Brendan McGinley is our resident expert on all things Inbound Marketing and HubSpot. Focusing on implementing high-performing marketing programs and demonstrating tangible ROI against any investment, his email marketing techniques and workflow personalisation has helped numerous brands soar. When he's not helping businesses grow, Brendan is either by the sea with his family or watching Liverpool play.

Mark Scully

Head Of Digital, Innovation & Strategy

Mark is 256's Head of Digital Innovation and Strategy leading the development of the agency's proprietary technology, SiteSeeer™, bringing insights to data. Mark uses his extensive knowledge of the Google suite of tools required to unlock digital insights and uses his experience to produce award-winning data-driven digital ecosystems. When not geeking out about data, you'll find him in gaming stores scouring for retro games to add to his ridiculously extensive collection.

Nico Fell

Head of Content and Social

With a passion for a story well told and creating engaging campaigns, Nico brings over 20 years of experience to 256. A strategic marketing expert who connects audiences with brands for meaningful outcomes. He has created high-impact campaigns for some of the biggest names on and off the island of Ireland. Staying active in his free time, Nico runs the city streets and coaches his local rugby team.

Paula Connor

Chief Content Marketing Officer

Chief Content Marketing Officer Paula Connor has more than 15 years of experience in digital and traditional marketing working for a variety of Irish and international brands in B2C and B2B companies. A multi-global award-winning content marketer, her passion is content strategy development, content creation, and marketing. When not working Paula is either exploring her new area in the Rebel County of Cork or planning her next holiday.

Aline Mazzocchi

Account Director

Ali is a goal-oriented, high-energy account director, with 18 years experience leading multidisciplinary teams to implement projects on behalf of agencies, media channels and clients in local/global markets. An advertising graduate with a masters in business, Ali has supported brands in B2B, tech, finance, with a consistent track record of increasing revenue streams. Out of office, you can find her in theatres, gallery-hopping or searching for the perfect pale ale in London.

Victoria Ivaylova

Account Manager

Victoria Ivaylova connects all the dots between our internal teams and our clients, expertly managing all our professional relationships. With clear communication and a fantastic attitude, she ensures that our client's needs are constantly met and often exceeded. Dog-loving Victoria's ideal Friday night is made up of a visit to her local cinema and doing battle at a quiz afterwards.

Sylvan Wayne

Account Executive

Sylvan is a passionate marketing professional with experience in e-commerce, digital campaigns, and brand development. She’s been the navigator and the bridge in projects for her clients, to the creative team and digital channels. With the goal in mind and the right resources in hand, she believes anything is possible. Outside of work, you’ll find her planning, going, and enjoying her solo trips all around the world.

Sharon Hughes

Finance, Operations, Payroll & ISO Manager

The wearer of many hats, Sharon has been with 256 since the very start and is now our Finance, Payroll & ISO Manager. With 25 years of experience in the field, she plays a key part in the smooth running and growth of the business. Getting out into the fresh air when she's not at work, Sharon loves to walk her pointer dogs with her family in the Wicklow Mountains.

Nadia Reckmann

Senior Content Marketing Manager

Prior to becoming a Senior Content Marketing Manager at 256, Nadia Reckmann had a chance to hone her storytelling skills working with growing B2B giants and hungry startups from across the world, from Europe to Asia to the United States. When she is not weaving another story, blog post or video script, Nadia is geeking out with the latest video game or teaching swing dancing.

Nicole Thomsen

Content Marketing Manager

Multi-talented Content Marketing Manager Nicole Thomsen is our go-to when our clients need a creative idea. Composing video scripts, researching blog posts, writing newsletters that convert and working closely with our design team are all part of a normal day for Nicole. Braving chilly sea swims during her time off, Nicole likes to warm back up with a flat white and spend time sewing - her latest hobby.

Nicole Zanellatto

Senior Digital Marketing Manager

Senior Digital Marketing Manager Nicole Zanellatto is our long-term strategist who uses her paid digital and inbound skills to help brands grow consistently and continually. As well as speaking English and Portuguese, Nicole is also fluent in HubSpot and Google Ads. Spot Nicole walking her dog, Vanilla through the city, stopping at the newest café to review it for her food blog Taste by Ni.

James Caulfield

Website Content Assistant

Talented Website Content Assistant, James Caulfield has an acute eye for detail and a great track record in social media and email marketing. He helps the wider content and design teams with grammatically perfect copy and an ability to master pretty much any CMS out there. Find him trawling through second-hand book shops in Dublin or in the produce aisle planning his next spicy, home-cooked meal.

Ismael Kepp

Senior Web & Graphic Designer

Hailing from sunny Venezuela is our Senior Web & Graphic Designer Ismael Kepp. With over 12 years of creative experience across the world, he is a long-term member of our team whose creativity has played a key role in 256 winning many awards and having a host of happy clients. In his spare time, Ismael likes to keep his creativity flowing by making music at home.

Jessica Pitcher

Video Lead

Video Lead Jessica Pitcher returned to Dublin after a decade in New York, where she worked as a senior producer for several major brands and publications. An adept shooter and editor, she loves crafting visually compelling narratives for her clients. She has filmed with an array of public figures from Bill Clinton to 50 Cent. She loves anything active and outdoors, and is an avid but regrettably, average golfer.

Mason Carter

Video Production Manager

Mason has worked in many production roles since graduating from the University of Lincoln in Film and Television. From short films and documentaries to events and more, he has gained valuable storytelling skills that can be applied to any project. Fresh from working as a Creative Producer at a London content creation company, he has a keen eye for detail and enjoys travelling, going to gigs and film photography.

Anastasiia Buldakova

Executive Assistant to CEO

Anastasiia is our go-to person at 256, makes sure everything runs smoothly as Executive Assistant to the CEO. Her keen eye for details and marketing experience abroad make her a fantastic support for both the business and the team. After work, you'll catch her exploring new places and cultures, recording videos for her YouTube channel. She's super into vintage fashion, loves storytelling on social media, and is even writing a dissertation about it!

Recent Awards

We know, we know, winning isn't everything; but we do like when our client work gets the nod from the experts. Here's some recent global wins we've been celebrating.

2023

US Content Marketing Institute

Best Strategy

2023

US Content Marketing Institute

Best B2B Branded - Finalist

2022

Content Marketing Association (CMA)

Best Specialist Campaign

2022

US Content Marketing Institute

Best Use of an EBook

2022

US Content Marketing Institute

Highest Conversion Response from a Content Program

2022

Global Digital Excellence Awards (GDEA)

Crisis response Content Campaign Of The Year

2021

US Content Marketing Institute

Best Use of Technology as Part of Content Marketing Program

2021

US Content Marketing Institute

Best Specialist

2020

US Content Marketing Institute

B2C branded Content of the Year

2020

US Content Marketing Institute

Best Topic Specific Video as Part of a Content Marketing Program

2020

US Content Marketing Institute

Best Use of Multi Channel Social Media in Content Marketing

2019

Content Marketing Association (CMA) Ireland

Best Content Marketing Award - Travel

2019

Content Marketing Association (CMA) Ireland

Best Content Marketing Award - B2B

2019

Content Marketing Association (CMA)

Best Use of Content Curation Award

2019

Content Marketing Association (CMA)

Content Marketing Agency of the Year

2018

US Content Marketing Institute

Best Retail Publication

2018

Eir Spiders

Best Content Creation for Digital Media

2017

Eir Spiders

Best B2B Blog

2017

IMA

Innovation of the Year

2017

IMA

Photographer of the Year

View more awards +

Sector Expertise

Travel & Hospitality

SAAS

Financial Services & FinTech

B2B Marketing

Higher Education

FMCG

Meet our team...

Karen Hesse

Neil Gordon

Brendan McGinley

Mark Scully

Nico Fell

Paula Connor

Aline Mazzocchi

Victoria Ivaylova

Sylvan Wayne

Sharon Hughes

Nadia Reckmann

Nicole Thomsen

Nicole Zanellatto

James Caulfield

Ismael Kepp

Jessica Pitcher

Mason Carter

Anastasiia Buldakova

Recent Awards

Sector Expertise

Get in touch...