Bear appoints Mick McCarthy as Chief Design Officer

Bear, a digital commerce agency, has announced the appointment of Mick McCarthy as Chief Design Officer. This move accompanies the expansion of the company's range of services, which now includes customer research, analytics, strategy, creative, UX/design, engineering, and conversion rate optimisation (CRO).

The appointment is a part of a broader strategic vision driven by CEO Thomas McCutchen to redefine digital solutions delivery in an evolving digital commerce landscape. Bear's recent merger with Scoutside has brought about enhanced capabilities and leadership, allowing the agency to extend engineering and system integration expertise as well as customer-centric design and strategic approaches.

Thomas McCutchen, commenting on the developments, stated, "For the past year, we've collaborated with clients, partners, and other stakeholders in positioning Bear to help mid-market eCommerce brands and businesses succeed in an increasingly complex and competitive environment. The market has been telling us it needs integrated strategy, human-centered design, engineering, and performance optimisation capabilities under one roof, which is why Mick's addition to our leadership team is so exciting."

The company's rebranding and a new website reflect these expanded offerings. These moves align with Bear's mission to deliver a comprehensive solution integrating front-end design and development with backend engineering. The enhancement is tailored to meet the needs of businesses in sectors such as manufacturing, B2B services, and direct-to-consumer (D2C) eCommerce brands.

Mick McCarthy, whose expertise includes working with brands such as Vince, Universal Parks, Johnson & Johnson, and Unilever, expressed enthusiasm about his new role at Bear. "I am thrilled to be joining Bear as the agency's first Chief Design Officer and to work with Thomas on the next stage in Bear's journey," McCarthy said. "We're excited about the insights that our cross-collaborative research and strategy teams can offer clients. What sets Bear apart is our ability to connect the dots across the entire customer journey to optimise outcomes for the brands we work with."

McCarthy's approach to brand strategy and design focuses on aligning creative direction with business objectives, which has already contributed to stronger branding, design, and user experience for Bear. McCutchen noted, "The site now reflects our new brand vision and Mick's influence. In effect, it's a case study of Bear's capabilities and approach to digital transformation."

The expanded capabilities of Bear now not only highlight the team's expertise in the digital commerce sector but also provide a comprehensive suite of services aimed at optimisation and long-term value creation for their clients.

Bear's robust range of services is crafted to empower brands to scale and grow, addressing the diverse and evolving needs of businesses within the eCommerce landscape. This strategic evolution is a response to growing client demands for solutions that integrate multiple facets of digital commerce under one cohesive strategy.