Search Theory, a brand new agency launched by industry veterans and former Candidsky colleagues David Vernon and Sara Kavanagh, has announced its first major hire after its first month of operations.
The agency has appointed Courtney Scrivens as head of PPC and paid social as demand increases from brands seeking more integrated and data-led approaches to paid acquisition.
Founded in April 2026, Search Theory is committed to putting curiosity, rigorous exploration and experimentation at the heart of its strategy.
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Scrivens will lead the agency’s PPC and paid social offering, focusing on driving measurable growth and expanding Search Theory’s capability across performance channels. With over 11 years of experience across paid media, she has built an impressive resume working with some exceptional brands across multiple sectors, including construction, travel, beauty, fashion, health and safety, and precious metals.
Scrivens said: “I’m genuinely excited to join Search Theory during such an important stage of its growth. Having worked with David and Sara in the past, I already know how deeply they value data, experimentation, and strategic thinking in how they work with brands. The opportunity to work together again to build and shape the paid media offering within that environment felt like a natural next step. I’m looking forward to working with the team to create a service that drives real, tangible results for our clients, and gets them to where they want to be.”
Co-founder Kavanagh added: “I’m genuinely so pleased to have Courtney joining us. I’ve always been impressed by the way she approaches her work, taking the time to really understand what’s driving performance and not being afraid to dive in and experiment rather than jump to easy answers.
“As a new agency right at the start of our journey, we want to build a team that genuinely cares about what they’re doing and wants to keep pushing themselves and each other. Courtney definitely brings that mindset, and I’m looking forward to seeing how she helps shape both the team and the work we deliver.”
Kavanagh also noted that Search Theory will be putting out a range of new roles moving forwards as the agency begins to build its services: “Over the next few weeks we’ll be putting out job specifications for some exciting new roles as we look to grow our team,” she said. “If you’re looking to join a fresh new agency that isn’t afraid to strike out on a new journey, consider dropping us your details. We’re excited to see where our next steps take us.”
