Mark C. Gray

For English copy and translations that impact your audience.

New Ways of Working that actually work.

For brands that instil loyalty.

Creative. Reliable. Empathetic. Problem-solver. Smart.

My brand promise to you

I will be:

There are few things more annoying than getting to the end of your project and all you need to go to market is the final writing or translation. But. You’re forced to change your entire marketing planning because the copy is late. We’ll agree realistic timing up front and you can be sure your writing will be there on time. Your marketing department can breathe easy.

You get what you pay for. I am certainly not one of the cheapest, but I like to think my experience and the resulting quality I deliver more than justify the price. You’ll get your money’s worth. In Germany they have a phrase ‘Wer billig kauft kauft teuer’, which translates something like: buying cheaply is expensive. This is especially true for communications where you have a once-only opportunity to get your message into the hearts and minds of your audience.

Branding is my thing, and I understand the importance of respecting your brand identity. My aim – seamless integration into your communications. You at your best as if your text was written in-house.

This is one your greatest benefits working with me. I am available personally pretty much all the time. No large consultancy structures. No account managers, no complex hierarchy. No substitutes. Old-fashioned, single point of call service and quality.

A very brief history of me

I have been writing for people and organizations since I can remember, and it has become part and parcel of who I am. I feel I am using my time wisely and have spent 20 years learning. Learning to listen to clients, understand their needs, and to create solutions adapted to each of them.

In terms of (work) experience, it’s something like this:

2020-now      Graymatter

2012-2019     Assistant Director Corporate Communications, Sysmex Europe

1999-2012     EnglishWorks

1998-1999     Editor-in-Chief California Fitness

1995-1998     Office Manager english text company, the Hague

Clearly, most of my time has been spent working for myself, and prior to Sysmex Europe, I had no corporate experience. The seven years spent at the global leader in haematology taught me much about how large companies operate, and I am extremely grateful for my learning there. Understanding corporate landscapes has helped me to considerably improve my insight into organizational processes, and how branding and communications fit in that topography.

Identity, brands and communications

My expertise and real interest are based on understanding identity, brands and their impact on communications. Each organisation has a different character, and the better you understand your brand, the truer and stronger your communications can be. It seems to me that the power of genuine values/identity-based communications cannot be underestimated, and it’s a joy helping organizations and individuals understand the benefits. Of seeing the strength and success that comes from being straight and true to themselves. Without the froth.

From idea to impact

My tagline was not my idea; it was the suggestion of a business partner. It seems that what I do well is to translate ideas into impact. To take a communications objective, and to help make it happen. Whether it’s straight communications, a change process, or if you need a strategy or campaign to transport a particular idea – I can help you out. Words are my tool. This is equally true in translations – tone of voice and cultural understanding are crucial for properly transmitting a message and achieving the result intended.

Let’s talk openly about the issue at hand – communications are crucial, and the more information I have the better I can write. We’ll share knowledge and work out how best to touch your audience. I love the moment when we see the impact of what we have created.

My specialist areas:

  • Branding and marketing
  • IVD, medical devices
  • Healthcare
  • Banking
  • Transport
  • Technology
  • Telecommunications

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