Oystercatchers Latest

The Search for Pitching Nirvana Rolls On

Andy Bargery, Client Director at Oystercatchers, explores why the traditional pitch process still holds value, and how initiatives like the PRCA’s Pitch Forward are helping to make it a fairer process for all. “Pitching is broken.” “The pitch process is no longer fit for purpose.” “Marketing has evolved, but pitching remains stuck in the 1990s.” […]

The Agility Advantage: Unlocking faster, smarter and more effective marketing

Industry experts from Prana Brands, RS Group and ITG on transforming teams, evolving agency models, and the mindset shifts powering modern marketing. The path to more effective marketing in 2025 isn’t just faster – it’s smarter. It’s about building teams that can adapt, rethinking legacy models, and embracing AI not as a tool, but as […]

IPA New Business Diaries: Gareth Evans and Becky McKinlay

In the latest episode of the IPA New Business Diaries podcast, Cogent Managing Director Gareth Evans is joined by Becky McKinlay, MD at Oystercatchers. Together they explore all things new business, agency search and selection and how brands optimise their agency partnerships. Becky discusses how the pitch process is evolving, the changing role of CMOs […]

X-Series: Beyond the Pitch – How Agencies Can Build Lasting Client Relationships

This week, Oystercatchers hosted its first X-Series event of 2025, Beyond the Pitch, bringing together up and coming agency talent to explore how to turn a pitch win into a long-lasting partnership. Moderated by Becky McKinlay, Managing Director of Oystercatchers, the panel featured Rich Atkinson-Toal (VP, Global Brand & Marketing, Amex GBT) and Yolande Battell […]

Trust, chemistry and AI: Marketing leaders on their top priorities for 2025

Top marketers from Nomad Foods, The Telegraph and PwC discuss the rise of AI, winning over the board and when to outsource.  The marketing landscape for 2025 is dominated by conversations about AI, consumer trust and marketing’s seat at the top table. Indeed, CMOs may have more to think about now than ever before.  Kicking […]

Playing to Win: How brands and agencies are owning the gaming boom

Annie Mallin, Programme Manager at Oystercatchers explores how brands and agencies can capitalise on the opportunities presented by the global gaming revolution. Sometimes, walking through London on a dazzling winter afternoon, I feel like I’ve wandered into a video game. The colours pop, the edges are crisp, and everything feels hyper-real.  Maybe I’ve spent too […]

Demystifying Procurement: Insights from the Oystercatchers X-Series Panel

At December’s X-Series event, procurement expert Tina Fegent spoke with Becky McKinlay, Managing Director at Oystercatchers, to challenge perceptions and redefine procurement’s role within brand and agency partnerships. Adam Trainis, Client Director at Oystercatchers, shares his insights from the session below. Procurement – a term that often evokes mixed reactions across the marketing industry. A […]

Lessons in Long-Term Marketing Effectiveness

The marketing industry can sometimes forget that advertising needs to work in the short term in order to be able to deliver in the long, effectiveness experts argue. The marketing industry is in danger of “over-correcting” on short-termism in advertising effectiveness and creating a standard that is “daunting” for newer or smaller brands, says head […]

What it takes to be a Trusted Client

In the complex world of client and agency relationships, brand side marketers often look externally when challenges arise, or performance takes a nosedive. But there’s something to be said to holding up a mirror and looking inwards too, especially if you want to become a trusted client. Andy Bargery, Client Director, explores a fool proof […]

6 Tips for Choosing an Intermediary That Delivers Transparency, Value and Fairness

Becky McKinlay, Managing Director at Oystercatchers, delves into the complexities of intermediary models in agency selection and shares six essential tips to help clients get a transparent and best value service. by Becky McKinlay, Managing Director, Oystercatchers 1) Question the cost of intermediaries offering ‘free’ consultancy advice to clients. How is that possible? Only by […]