Our 20th Anniversary Q&A with Mike Knivett

As Artemis Marketing celebrates its 20th anniversary, Managing Director Mike Knivett reflects on his journey, the company’s evolution, and its commitment to client success.

Q: Artemis Marketing’s origin story is unique. Can you tell us how the company came to be?

Our journey into digital marketing wasn’t planned. I had launched my overseas property business and had a very frustrating experience with an SEO agency that didn’t deliver on its promises. This led us to bring our SEO operations in-house. As we developed our skills and saw results, we realised there was a gap in the market for an agency that prioritised honesty, transparency, and tangible results.

That’s how Artemis was born – from a desire to do things differently and truly help businesses grow online.

Q: How has your vision for the company evolved over the past two decades?

Our core mission has always been to help businesses succeed online and increase their revenue. Over the years, we’ve expanded our services beyond SEO to include various aspects of digital marketing, including digital PR, conversion rate optimisation (CRO), social media, email marketing, and more. This evolution allows us to provide comprehensive strategies that drive real business growth for our clients.

Another aspect of our vision was to demystify SEO which, for many, is quite complex. We always endeavour to explain technical and confusing terms in plain English to help our clients see the value in what we do. We’re proud to say that some of our clients have been with us for over a decade, which I believe speaks volumes about the value we provide.

Q: What do you consider to be Artemis’ biggest achievement in these 20 years?

Our biggest achievement has been consistently delivering results that directly impact our clients’ bottom lines. We are proud to have helped numerous businesses increase their revenue significantly, whether it’s a local owner-managed firm or a national enterprise with multiple revenue streams.

It’s incredibly rewarding when a client, regardless of how long they’ve been with us, reaches out to express their appreciation for the terrific job we’re doing. These moments remind us why we started this journey in the first place.

Q: The digital landscape has changed dramatically since 2004. How do you stay ahead of the curve for your clients?

Staying ahead requires constant learning and adaptation. At Artemis, we invest heavily in research and development (R&D), testing new strategies and technologies before they become mainstream. Our team also undergoes regular training and upskilling to keep their skills sharp while encouraging their own professional development.

We’ve also developed robust systems for monitoring rankings, traffic, and conversions, allowing us to refine our strategies in real time. Importantly, we maintain constant channels of open communication with our clients, ensuring our strategies align with their evolving business goals and market conditions.

Q: Can you share a challenging moment Artemis faced and how you overcame it?

The COVID-19 pandemic was a significant challenge for everyone, it’s fair to say. Many businesses were struggling to stay afloat, and marketing budgets were often the first to be cut. We decided to stand by our clients during this difficult time; we drastically reduced our fees and, in some cases, worked essentially for free to help our clients maintain stability. This approach not only helped our clients weather the storm but also strengthened our relationships and reinforced our commitment to their success.

Q: What sets Artemis apart from other digital marketing agencies?

I believe it’s our unwavering focus on driving tangible business results for our clients. We’re not just about improving rankings or increasing traffic – we’re about growing our clients’ businesses and boosting their revenue.

Our approach is always tailored to each client’s specific needs and goals so that can manifest in different ways. We combine deep technical expertise with a genuine commitment to our clients’ success, and I think that’s why we’ve built such incredible, valuable long-lasting partnerships with many of them.

Q: How has your approach to company culture evolved, especially with the shift towards flexible working?

We’ve always believed in fostering a collaborative, supportive environment. With the shift to more flexible working, we’ve had to be more intentional about maintaining that culture. We’ve invested in better communication and collaboration tools to keep our team involved, particularly as some of them live quite far away.

We regularly bring them all along to team-building activities and social events which bring us closer together. We’ve also put a strong emphasis on work-life balance and continuous learning, ensuring our team feels supported in developing new skills and exploring new areas of interest.

Q: What emerging trends do you see potentially disrupting the digital marketing industry?

Beyond AI, which is already making waves, we’re seeing significant changes driven by voice search, interactive content, and increasing emphasis on user privacy. The rise of AI-led search engine result pages is going to be interesting, but every day brings a new challenge or update that means we have to be constantly thinking about how that could impact our clients. That’s why we’re constantly evolving our approaches to ensure we – on behalf of our clients – stay one step ahead of these changes.

Q: As you celebrate this milestone, what message would you like to share?

We’re incredibly grateful to all our clients who have trusted us with their digital marketing success over the years – it’s a pleasure to work alongside you. To our team, your dedication and expertise are what makes Artemis great, and we truly value your commitment and energy. We’re excited about the future and look forward to continuing to innovate and drive growth for businesses across the UK and beyond.

As Artemis Marketing enters its third decade, it’s clear that the passion and vision that drove the company’s inception are still very much alive. Mike’s commitment to innovation, client success, and nurturing a strong team culture positions Artemis well for continued growth and prosperity. Here’s to the next 20 years of driving digital success for businesses nationwide!