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About OWB

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 Wilkinson

Managing Director

Founding Partner and Managing Director of OWB Creative, the Birmingham based full-service marketing agency.

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.

Shari Bryan

Operations Director

Shari is Founding Partner and Operations Director of OWB. A qualified marketer and a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketers and Women in Business, her main expertise is in developing powerful client relationships, detailed project management, delivery of outstanding customer service, operational improvement and maximising ROI for clients. As well as Account Direction, Shari is responsible for the HR, Finance and process development and improvement of the business through the ISO 9000 accreditation and Investors in Excellence programme.

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.

Mark Norman

Senior Designer

Mark Norman (Norm) joined OWB in summer 2009 having worked as In-house Designer for a prestige car company in Birmingham and a Designer/Artworker at a magazine in Warrington.

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.

Rachel Darby

Senior Designer

Rachel has worked in a variety of design roles since graduating from Coventry University in 2009 with a joint honours degree in Graphic Design and Illustration, and enjoys a particular focus on all things digital, including email marketing, video and animation.

Bryony Cork

Senior Designer

Bryony joined OWB in September 2010 after completing a degree in Advertising Design at the University of Wales, Newport.

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.

Dave Potts

Senior Designer

Dave joined OWB in Autumn 2018, he has a wealth of experience from working in design agencies around the West Midlands. Dave is very adaptable and creative, working on traditional print and branding to digital media, animation and web design.

Outside of designing Dave has a love of film and music. He also enjoys swimming, running, walking, snowboarding and cycling.

Zubair Safdar

Senior Digital Designer

Zubair Safdar (Zubes) joined OWB in Autumn 2018.

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).

Claire Fisher

Claire Hartman

Senior Account Manager

Claire joined OWB in September 2017 having previously worked in the Marketing industry both in-house and agency side. She has over 7 years experience and holds a BSc degree in Business Management and Marketing from Cardiff University.

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.

Melissa Boult

PA and Admin Manager

Melissa (or Liss..or Lissey..) is our Administration backbone, handling all things administrative and working with the team to maintain and manage projects through the CRM system and supporting the OWB accounts function.

William Kayemba

Marketing Account Executive

Will joined OWB in January 2024 after spending over a year as a Marketing Executive at a major UK based paper merchant. Before that, he studied BA Sociology with a Specialism in Technology and Markets at the University of Warwick, then MSc Marketing at the University of Birmingham.

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.

Katie Todd

Social Media Specialist

Katie supports our clients with social media content and copywriting.

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!

Chris Leggett

PR Specialist

Chris supports our clients with impactful press and media relations support.

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.

If you’ve got a project, get in touch with the team and we’ll get the ball rolling…