The Oystercatchers Awards, judged by a panel of senior marketing leadership, have been announced. 

Judged remotely for the first time, the awards are designed to recognise the innovation, inspiration, talent and sheer hard work invested by agencies and clients in their journey to effective creative work. The awards have been running since 2009.

Jude Bridge, Managing Partner, Oystercatchers said, “The challenges of Covid-19 have seen incredible resilience and innovation from both agencies and their clients. And whilst we all continue to face into the pandemic, we believe it’s more important than ever to celebrate and recognise the talent, tenacity, culture and creativity of our business. 

She continued, “Pace and agility have been the watchwords of 2020 and the award submissions are testament to our industry’s ability to adapt and evolve as it continues to produce outstanding work in the toughest of circumstances. Congratulations to all our winners, and, everyone on our short-lists. We salute you all.”

The Results

Agency of the Year

Criteria: role model agency delivering great work, innovating, setting best culture and practice standards which we can learn from.

Winner: Uncommon Creative Studio

Shortlist: Brandfuel, St Luke’s London

Best New Agency

Criteria: the one to watch.

Winner: The Elephant Room

Highly commended: The Wild

Shortlist: Neverland, The Park

Client/Agency Partnership of the Year

Criteria: evidence of a step-change in ways of working leading to brilliant/transformative creativity. How has the mettle been tested and proven during the crisis?

Winner: nucleus/British Gas & Hive (Centrica)

Highly commended: Karmarama/ The British Army

Shortlist: AMV/BBO/ Essity; Isobar/Clarins

Best Agency Credentials *new for 2020

Criteria: would I buy this agency?

Winner: Uncommon Creative Studio

Shortlist: St Luke’s London; Karmarama

Best Agency Innovation 

Criteria: Pivot on an existing campaign, development of a new campaign, or, proactive tech solution taken to client by agency.

Winner: ENGINE, Jagermeister #SAVETHENIGHT

Highly commended: St Luke’s, Stay Home Now #SHN

Shortlist: Isobar, Covid Snapchat; Karmarama, The Summer that Can’t, Can; Team ITG, Dixon’s Carphone

Best Agency Culture: Independent 

Criteria: Great initiatives allowing people to bring their best to work with support to deliver great work.

Winner: Joint

Highly commended: The Gate

Shortlist: St Luke’s London; 383 Project

Best Agency Culture: Networked 

Winner: adam&eveDDB

Shortlist: Karmarama

Champion for Change/Industry Influencer 

Criteria: individual who has gone above and beyond to move the marketing industry forward.

Winner: Shannie Mears, Co-founder & Head of Talent, The Elephant Room

Shortlist: Ben Essen, Global Chief Strategy Officer, Iris; Julian Douglas, Vice Chairman, VCCP; Mihir Haria-Shah, Head of Broadcast, Total Media; Nicky Palamarczuk, Head of Social & Influence, VCCP

Spotlight Award 

Criteria: individual without whom the business would be a lesser place.

Winner: Katie Jackson, Managing Director, TBWA\London

Highly Commended: Luke Prebble, Head of Employee Experience, Karmarama

Shortlist: Adrienne Burns, Client Strategy Director, Summit Media; Kim Lawrie, Head of Creative Technology, ENGINE

Outstanding Contribution Award

Criteria: Individual who has taken us all with them and made marketing a better place for all of us.

Winner: Trevor Robinson OBE

Suki Thompson, Chair Oystercatchers, “In this challenging year we have seen some stunning examples of creativity and innovation. Both agencies and clients have really leaned in to support our awards, and, most importantly each other. Congratulations to all the winners.“

Oystercatchers Awards Judging Panel

• Lou Bennett, Marketing Director UK & Ireland, Benefit Cosmetics
• Sarah Booth, Director of Brand & Marketing, OVO Energy
• Arjoon Bose, Marketing Head-Culture & Brand Experience (Europe & Australasia), General Mills
• Neil Caldicott, Director, Brand and Communications, Which?
• Sophie Castell, Relationships Director, RNIB
• Dominic Chambers, European Head of Marketing and Communications, Genesis Motor Europe GmbH
• Abigail Comber, Chief Marketing Officer, Debenhams
• Jack Fryer, Managing Director, The Square, Universal Music UK
• Andrew Garrihy, Global Chief Brand Officer, Huawei Consumer Business Group
• Russell James, Sales & Marketing Director at England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB)
• Margaret Jobling, Chief Marketing Officer, NatWest Group
• Catherine Kehoe, Chief Customer Officer, Lloyds Banking Group
• Pete Markey, Chief Marketing Officer, TSB Bank [shortly to join Boots as CMO]
• Ian McGregor, Chief Marketing Officer, Green Man Gaming
• Tony Miller, Marketing Director, WW (formerly Weight Watchers)
• Alex Naylor, Managing Director, Marketing Communications, Barclays UK
• Keith Moor, Chief Marketing Officer, Camelot
• Jayne O'Keeffe, Vice President European Marketing, Lyre's Spirit Co
• Ori Ben Shai, Vice President & Managing Director UK & Ireland, Kimberly-Clark
• Kathryn Shiplee, Global Head of Brand and Advertising, AXA IM
• Fiona Spooner, Global Marketing Director, B2C, The Financial Times
• Claudia Struzzo, Chief Marketing Officer
• Chi Evi-Parker, Marketing & E-Commerce Director, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
• Toby Whitmoyer, Global Marketing Officer, Bacardi
• Antonia Wade, Chief Marketing Officer, Capita