Welcoming Rachel McMahon to CDM: Q&A with Our New Marketing Consultant

We’re thrilled to announce that Rachel McMahon has joined the CDM team as our newest Marketing Consultant!

With a background in both corporate marketing and creative small business ownership, Rachel brings a unique blend of strategic thinking, data-driven insight, and imaginative flair to every project she works on. From launching her own fashion brand during lockdown to leading hedge fund event campaigns, her journey is anything but ordinary.

To help you get to know Rachel a little better, we sat down for a Q&A to talk about her career path, passions, and what excites her most about joining CDM.

Let’s start from the beginning – what led you to a career in marketing?

I’ve always been drawn to creativity and problem solving. I studied International Business with a focus on Marketing, and during my final year (right in the middle of COVID), I set up my own handmade clothing business from my childhood bedroom. I made women’s apparel and matching face masks—ran everything solo, and managed to turn a profit in the first year.

That experience sparked my love for branding and digital marketing. After moving to London in 2022, I joined Hanson Wade as a Marketing Assistant, then moved to With Intelligence where I worked on hedge fund events and grew into a Senior Marketing Executive role. It’s been a whirlwind but such a rewarding journey so far.

What’s your area of expertise – and what do you love most about it?

Event marketing and small business brand development are my sweet spots.

I love the structure and momentum behind events—watching them grow year-on-year and seeing real results from the work we put in. On the flip side, small business brand development is where I get to experiment. There’s so much creative freedom when you’re building a brand from scratch—no ‘right’ way to do it, just constant learning and discovery.

Could your marketing team benefit from working with Rachel? Get in touch today to check Rachel’s availability and discover how she can help you achieve—and exceed—your objectives!

What’s your role at CDM, and how do you support clients?

I’m a Marketing Consultant, and my approach always starts with listening. I help clients identify their pain points and what they actually want to achieve, then we build a plan that’s grounded in what’s already worked—with plenty of creative thinking to move things forward.

What’s one marketing challenge you love solving?

Helping brands find and maintain a consistent voice. It’s so important to communicate your value clearly and authentically—especially in crowded spaces.

What’s one of your proudest marketing achievements?

Definitely turning a profit with my clothing business in the first year—especially during a pandemic. A TikTok post I made went semi-viral, generated 50+ sales, and helped me break even in 11 months. All while sewing from my bedroom!

Is there a current trend or strategy you’re excited about?

Yes! I’m loving the ‘imperfect’ trend—where brands are being more human and real. Showing behind-the-scenes moments, sharing the missteps… it’s authentic and really helps build stronger connections with your audience.

How would you describe your working style in three words?

Creative, solutions-focused, and organised.

What’s something people might not expect about working with you?

That I’m equally analytical and creative. I can spend hours in spreadsheets and still get excited about brainstorming a campaign idea. I keep things fun—even when we’re deep in the data.

What’s one piece of marketing advice you always stand by?

What works for one brand won’t necessarily work for another. You have to understand your audience and adapt your strategy accordingly.

What’s the best part of being on the CDM team?

The people! Caylee and the rest of the team are genuinely incredible. Talented, supportive, full of energy—it’s such a collaborative, inspiring group to be part of.

A Few Fun Extras…

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Spending time with family and friends, hitting the gym or going for a run, crocheting, sewing—or getting comfy with a cup of tea and some trashy reality TV.

If you could work on a dream project, what would it be? Building the identity for a sustainable fashion or beauty brand. I’d love to shape their tone of voice and roll it out across every channel.

A resource or inspiration you recommend? The Because of Marketing accounts by Rachael Higgins—super insightful, especially for trends in both big and small businesses. And a personal throwback: Jenny Humphrey from Gossip Girl! Her fashion hustle was a huge inspiration for me growing up.

Coffee or tea? Morning person or night owl? Tea all the way. Not really a morning person or night owl… more of a midday house cat.

If you weren’t in marketing, what would you be doing? Fashion design or becoming a professional dressmaker—still creating, just with a different toolkit.

Rachel, we’re so happy to have you on board. Welcome to CDM!

Could your marketing team benefit from working with Rachel? Get in touch today to check Rachel’s availability and discover how she can help you achieve—and exceed—your objectives!