Based in Birmingham UK, but working on an international stage, OWB is a marketing agency with a wealth of knowledge and know-how when it comes to creating campaigns that work for a wide range of clients. We take getting results seriously, but seriously enjoy what we do and think creatively about how to add value and get the best results for your business and your budget.
It takes a great agency to add value to your business. And OWB has some seriously good trophies in the cabinet.
We’re proud to be an official Investor in People and a certified ISO 9001 business. It’s all about quality here.
We are extremely passionate about our clients, our people and what we do
We have expertise but we are also keen to try, test and develop our learning with you on your journey
We are honest, upfront and intensely driven to achieve real results for our clients
We are committed to excellence across design, digital, advertising, direct marketing and research
Part of DRP Group
OWB is proud to be part of the DRP Group, who make anything possible their everyday. They create awesome experiences, unforgettable comms and phenomenal digital spaces day in, day out, and never get tired of it. Powered by unmatched creativity, a host of technical skills and people who are eager to create work they can be proud of, together, OWB and DRPG achieve the incredible by always working towards better, together.
Meet the team
Andrew has worked in senior client-side positions for global brands including TNT and Blagden Industries Group and marketing agencies across the UK and overseas.
Andrew is chair of the newly formed Institute of Directors Greater Birmingham branch, fellow of the RSA and a member of the Reform Club. He is former non-executive director for St Giles Hospice group and Business Link West Midlands, where he was also made an ambassador for creative industries.
He was awarded ‘Director of the Year’ in the small business category in the 2017 IoD West Midlands Awards.
Aside from day to day running of the agency, Shari is either found in her kayak or indulging her passion for motorcycles which includes running an online classic motorcycle business importing and selling Harley Davidsons from Europe and the USA.
Norm has a degree in Visual Communication with Illustration from the University of Derby and a Diploma in Art and Design from Manchester Metropolitan University.
As Senior Designer at OWB Norm now works on leading projects, continually developing top quality creative.
Providing a fresh perspective to design and a strong natural flair, Bryony has become an integral part of the OWB Design Team.
Driven to continue her professional development, Bryony puts her motivation down to the pleasure of working with OWB’s broad and exciting variety of Clients.
Outside of designing Dave has a love of film and music. He also enjoys swimming, running, walking, snowboarding and cycling.
Graduating from University of Birmingham with a BA honours degree in Marketing Management, his previous roles include in-house CRM Designer for a leading pub retailer & brewer and a Senior Marketing & Design Specialist for a FTSE 100 company.
Zubes is self-motivated & driven, with over 12 years’ experience in design for both print & digital... There’s plenty of creativity still left in him!
In his spare time enjoys going to the gym, long walks with his rottweiler ‘Duke’, and eating (not so much cooking).
Now a Senior Account Manager at OWB, Claire liaises with our clients, making sure they’re happy and projects are completed on time.
In her spare time Claire loves all things food related, caffeine and exercising.
Will has experience in both traditional and contemporary methods of marketing, and is passionate about branding, social media account management, content creation, and PR.
In his spare time Will enjoys going to a multitude of live music concerts with his twin brother, watching football and basketball, gym and family time.
With a particular interest in digital communication, Katie works on everything from content creation and strategy, to blog writing, editing and SEO to get the best results for our clients.
In her spare time, as a bit of a self-proclaimed foodie… she loves going out for dinner and finding the best restaurants in the midlands…any potential food clients take note!
With a focus on ensuring clients reach new audiences, Chris works on everything from news releases and media strategy, to broadcast engagement and award writing to help clients raise their profile.
In his spare time, he can be found walking with his dog, checking out the latest cinema releases or attempting to improve his Italian in the hope of one day living 'la dolce vita'!
Awards
We strive to create the most dynamic, effective work for our clients, achieving results that far exceed our clients expectations. Whilst there is no greater accolade than amazing feedback from a delighted client…it’s also nice to win an award or two…
WINNER MEDIA & CREATIVE | Insider International Trade Awards
WINNER MARKETING & CREATIVE | Birmingham Post Business Awards
HIGHLY COMMENDED IoD Awards
TOP 100 RAR Top 100 Agency
ACCREDITED Google Partner
WINNER DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR | IoD Director of the Year West Midlands
FINALIST DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR | IoD Director of the Year National
WINNER AGENCY OF THE YEAR | Birmingham Prestige Awards 2019
WINNER ADVERTISING AGENCY OF THE YEAR | Corporate Livewire Awards 2019
FINALISTS Business Excellence Awards 2019
WINNER SALES AND MARKETING AGENCY OF THE YEAR | Birmingham Business Excellence Awards 2019
FINALISTS SME OF THE YEAR | Birmingham Post Business Live Awards 2022 Awards
FINALIST ANDREW WILKINSON, MOST INFLUENTIAL BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR | MBCC Awards
WINNER ANDREW WILKINSON, MARKETING LEADER OF THE YEAR, MIDLANDS MARKETING AWARDS
WINNER NOT-FOR-PROFIT CAMPAIGN, MIDLANDS MARKETING AWARDS
Timeline
2001
OWB founded by Directors Richard Oakley, Shari Bryan and Andy Wilkinson.
2002
OWB moves into new premises at Faraday Wharf, Birmingham.
2007
MBO to re-structure to present format.
OWB achieves ISO9001 Accreditation and Investor in People standard.
2009
OWB joins international marketing network.
2010
Andy named in Insider ’42 under 42′.
OWB achieves ICO Accreditation.
2011
Due to expansion OWB moves into larger, new premises
at The Bond, Birmingham.
2012
OWB wins Insider ‘International Agency of the Year’.
OWB wins Birmingham Post ‘Marketing Agency of the Year’.
2013
OWB named in RAR Top 100 Design Agencies.
2014
Andy Highly Commended at IoD Awards.
Awarded Google Partner Status.
2015
Digital Entrepreneur Awards – Shortlisted Finalist
Birmingham Post Awards Winner – Creative Comunications and Digital Agency of the Year 2016
2016
National Business Awards – SME of the Year Finalist
Financial Services Forum – Marketing Effectiveness Awards Highly Commended
2017
Andy Wilkinson MD shortlisted for the IoD Director of the Year Awards 2017 – UK Finals in the SME Company award category
Andy Wilkinson Wins Director of the Year, IoD West Midlands, SME category OWB Finalist Birmingham Post Business Awards
2019
OWB wins Business Excellence Awards 2019 in the Sales and Marketing Category
2020
OWB moves to the fantastic St Paul’s Square
2021
Andy Wilkinson named Chair of the Institute of Directors, Greater Birmingham
2021
Came last at Cure Leukaemia Copa Del CL football tournament! …but helped raise £150k!!
2022
Birmingham Post Business Live Awards 2022 Awards – Finalist
2022
Andy Wilkinson MBCC Awards – Finalist
2022
Stage sponsor of Cure Leukaemia Tour21 (cycling the Tour de France one week ahead of the professionals)
2022
Race sponsor for Maria Costello – a British motorcycle racer
2023
Double award winners at the Midlands Marketing Awards – Andy Wilkinson as Marketing Leader of the Year, and OWB in the ‘Not-for-Profit’ campaign category.
2024
OWB merges with DRPG to combine ‘Can-do creative’ with ‘Anything’s Possible’ thinking
International
At OWB we are proud of our Birmingham heritage and the businesses we work with and support locally. But our reach goes far beyond the Midlands, and beyond the UK too. Recently our work with our International partners has reaped awards in the form of Insider International Marketing category Winner for our work in Europe specifically with our partner Eluere in France and Trio Group in Germany, Hong Kong and the Windward Isles, helping our clients to make important International contacts and deliver marketing strategies in new markets.
Our international network gives us unparalleled reach for research and brand knowledge, unique partnering to boost your international marketing programmes and the scope of huge global facilities that can innovatively add an exciting new dimension to your campaign.
As part of DRPG, we’re a team of over 400 working from nine key locations across the UK and even more across the globe.
To open global opportunities for your business speak to Andy, drop in for a coffee and let’s see how we can help you.
Community
As part of the LDC tour in 2010 we were a part of a team that raised a cumulative £185,000 for 9 charities.
We support and sponsor amateur and grass roots sports through our sponsorship of Walsall RFC and Bournville Whites Football Club.
Belfry Sporting Club, a founding supporter of this dinner club which assists in fundraising across the region and is the oldest dinner club of its type in the UK.
In 2014 we supported Walking with the Wounded to help injured troops to get into work with a sponsored walk attended by 800 people on the Langdale Pikes raising some £250,000.
OWB is proud to support the all-new Gibbon Forest at Twycross Zoo this fabulous new environment launched in 2016.
Each year OWB attend the LDC annual charity quiz which raised a staggering £120,000.
We supported the Copa del CL football tournament at the famous St George’s Park, where our very own Mark Norman made his debut. 2020 will be our second year and we are hoping to get into the final.
In 2019, we donated our name and purchased a plaque in the Centre of Haematology which will help raise money to fund a Cure Leukaemia specialist research nurse for 3 years.
In 2020, we announced Cure Leukaemia as our charity of the year. Due to the pandemic a lot of what we had planned didn’t go ahead, we continued to raise money for this wonderful charity, including sponsoring the Manchester leg of RunTAPBoyRun.
We support a range of charities and business’ including St Giles Hospice, MacMillan Cancer Care and NICE Charity.