Madonna Deverson

Research | Trends | Insights | Ideas

Madonna is a respected researcher, strategist, and writer who has worked for famous advertising agencies and infamous media outlets.

The quintessential globetrotter, Madonna’s world-class approach to consumer research and account planning took her from Melbourne to London, New York, Los Angeles and back again. She has held senior and head of department positions at The New York Times, Fox News, Ogilvy, Deutsch and Leo Burnett.

Australian by birth, she spent ten years in the strategy departments of some of London’s top advertising agencies, including six years as Head of Information for the Leo Burnett Group. In 2007, she moved to New York and began working in investigative news research at Fox News and The New York Times. She covered the Obama election, the collapse of the global financial system and breaking news like the death of Michael Jackson, Captain Sully’s ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ and the Spitzer sex scandal. Persuaded to return to Adland in 2011, she headed up Information & Intelligence globally for Ogilvy in New York before being headhunted four years later to raise the bar for strategy as Head of Brand Intelligence at Deutsch in LA.

Madonna graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Arts (English/Popular Culture). She was the Adjunct Professor of Brand Experience at City College of New York (CCNY), a Major Leader Judge for the Advertising Research Foundation (ARF) Awards, and is currently on the Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance’s (MEAA) National Freelance Committee. She is the proud owner of a dachshund named Elvis, star of a national Pizza Hut campaign, and she also happens to be followed by Barack Obama on Twitter.

Now Madonna is bringing her renowned finger on the pulse, business savvy, and intellectual curiosity to the table as a freelance brand strategist, researcher, educator and copywriter.

Madonna is able to solve problems extremely creatively – like no other researcher I have ever seen. She can see around corners.

Barbara GrayCraig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, CUNY

Madonna’s influence has been pivotal in analyzing markets and competitors. It’s hard to get advice that you know is right.

Gavin ToddCEO, Shopwindow.io

She ‘gets’ people, she ‘gets’ the consumer. It’s as if she has this extra-sensory hotline into their minds; an x-ray of their fears, hopes and dreams.

Sir Dominick Lynch-Robinsonfmr global creative director JWT, author

Her work and thinking was very much appreciated by us and helped us put together a really successful client session.

Ashley Connorsdirector of creative strategy at SimpliSafe

An unequalled finger on the pulse, business savvy and intellectual curiosity – and she has saved the day several times thanks to her speed in delivering.

Erminio Putignanomanaging director, PUSH Collective

The best I’ve met in her field. She’s been instrumental in driving change within the research and intelligence community.

Jeffrey L. BowmanCEO, founder & author, REFRAME, https://getreframe.io/

A star – she has that magic touch – engaging and informative.

Belle FrankCSO Global Health, VMLY&R

Madonna knows what is ‘going on’ and is great at not only spotting ‘finger on pulse’ developments with markets, consumers and the media but has the conviction to make these observations count.

Joe Statonhead of market dynamics & innovation, GfK

Driven by curiosity and discovery, Madonna’s abilities to seek and find good ideas can explore new possibilities for any creative team.

Trevor Flettbrand architect, fmr Chairman FutureBrand FHA

Madonna has a brilliant strategic mind, knows US and Australian consumers, and you should definitely get to know her.

Victor HoughtonVH Insights, fmr head of trends & insights Publicis

Madonna understands the question behind the question and is able to bring answers forward that will have a real impact on the work.

Simone Chaffiottehead of insights, Carat Media

Madonna is the sort of person every company needs: an excellent researcher, a skillful manager, and a diplomatic and reliable colleague. She is astonishingly quick to master new topics and understand the nuances of a situation.

Susan BeachyNew York Times