Latest News and Thoughts

The latest news, partnerships and thought leadership from the Oystercatchers team.

Oystercatchers Thoughts

Mastering Chemistry Meetings

A critical step in most – if not all – pitch processes is the chemistry meeting. It’s the first opportunity for brand and agency side marketers to meet. It’s when clients start making their assessment about whether they want to spend their time and money with your agency. Equally, it’s when agencies get to meet […]

Why Oystercatchers is the Right Choice of Intermediary

At first glance, the world of marketing intermediaries might seem straightforward. After all, how many ways can you run a pitch process? And while that’s partly true, the real differences, beyond expertise, lie in the business models underpinning intermediaries. That’s where things get interesting, and where transparency becomes essential. Introducing the new ISBA Guide to […]

Why Training Your Marketing Team is the Best Growth Strategy

According to the Association for Talent Development, “companies that invest in employee training see 24% higher profit margins.” Now you might say there’s a clear conflict of interest there, after all, what else is that Association going to say, right? But if you want some additional evidence of the value of investing in your people […]

Oystercatchers X-Series

New Business, Big Impact: What it Takes to Win in Agency Growth Roles

Once a quarter we gather the brightest from agency new business teams for an evening of discussion, learning and development at our X-Series events. Agency business development is not a discipline spoilt for choice with formal training opportunities, yet these hard-working agency professionals are a critical component for a healthy and growing business. The X-Series […]

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.” […]

Cannes 2025: Big Conversations, Big Questions, and the Power of Serendipity

By the Oystercatchers Team Cannes 2025 was as hot, frantic and energising as ever – with the step count to prove it. Amid both the reunions and new conversations against striking sea views, the festival remained a vibrant celebration of creativity and connection.  Yet beneath the sun-drenched surface, a more serious undertone was present. With […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Long Term Results Need Long Term Partnerships

Andy Bargery, Client Director at Oystercatchers, explores the value of long-term agency relationships and reveals how sustained partnerships drive brand success. Marketers are notorious for job-hopping, and it’s understood they often stay in role for just a couple of years. But let’s bust that myth: Forbes found the average CMO tenure is 3.5 years. It’s […]

Oystercatchers News

Barclays Appoints Omnicom to Lead Customer Marketing and B2B Strategies

Barclays has appointed Omnicom Group to handle customer marketing, B2B operations, and production for its Barclays UK and Barclaycard brands. The process, which began in April last year, was managed by Oystercatchers. The new partnership will be led by Rapp and OMD UK, marking a strategic step in Barclays’ marketing and communications efforts.

The Very Group appoints Zenith as media agency of record

The Very Group, the parent company of digital retailer Very, has selected Zenith as its media agency of record. Zenith will handle all media planning and buying for The Very Group, offering strategic direction on digital execution and retail media. They will also help accelerate the “Let’s make it sparkle” brand platform and supporting the […]

Becky McKinlay Named Managing Director of Oystercatchers on a permanent basis

Becky will continue to lead across Oystercatchers’ market-leading portfolio of services; Agency Search and Selection, operational excellence, and training for the intermediary’s roster of high-profile clients. In addition to developing the Oystercatchers Club for agencies, the company will launch additional complementary services to help clients maximise their partnerships and supercharge their marketing.  Becky brings extensive […]

Becky McKinlay joins Oystercatchers as Interim Managing Director

Oystercatchers are delighted to announce the appointment of Becky McKinlay into the newly created position of Interim Managing Director of Oystercatchers. Becky joins Oystercatchers from Alpha Grid (part of the Financial Times Group), where she was Managing Director for creative content and the storytelling studio. She has worked in both client side and agency roles […]