Jan Gooding, Group Brand Director – Aviva
The Observatory International were invaluable advisors whose expertise ensured we ran a process which enabled the strong field of agencies we shortlisted to perform to a very high standard. The rigour of their management tools enabled robust debate and gave us high confidence in the decision we ultimately made.

Virginia Barnes, Group Head of Brand – Aviva
TOI were professional, consistent and fair. Their clear process helped corral various stakeholders smoothly so we reached an excellent outcome. They were invaluable.

Gharry Eccles, Global Category Director for Personal Care and Homecare, PZ Cussons Plc
Thank you for your help in making the process a success, I thought the process was extremely well run with good stakeholder management across the PZ team and a world class approach.

Greg Foster, McCain Foods Ltd
From start to finish the process was managed professionally with a great understanding of the market and our requirements. The outcome is a reflection of what was put in (from both sides) and we are delighted!

Matt Brown, Brand Director – McVitie’s Everyday & Kids, United Biscuits
The Observatory International led a highly professional PR agency pitch for us in 2013. The selection of agencies presented as part of the pitch process were all of a very high calibre and were all very well briefed as to our requirements which made the whole process run very smoothly as expectations were very clear from the outset. 3 Monkeys Communications (who were appointed as our agency at the end of the process) have integrated very quickly in to our business and have produced some really great PR results across our full Biscuits portfolio (McVitie’s, go ahead! and Jacob’s). The effort and energy put in to the pitch process from the outset by Lucinda and her team has really paid off for United Biscuits as we have ended up with a great agency partner that is a great fit with our business.

Sarah Heynen, Marketing Director – Sweet Biscuits United Biscuits
The Observatory International provided us with excellent support through the entire advertising pitch process. Their knowledge of each agency and the fit with our business was an invaluable input into our short list selection. Beyond this, their leadership and management of each stage was extremely professional, delivered against extremely compressed timelines. I would have no hesitation in recommending them to others.

Lawrence Hamilton, Director of Marketing Communications Toyota Marketing Operations, Abdul Latif Jameel
The Observatory International team were fundamental to our successful agency search and appointment process. Throughout, TOI were meticulous in understanding our specific requirements, identifying the best match and unearthing options that proved to be right, but not the immediately obvious choice. In a complicated marketplace with a multitude of options, The Observatory International displayed specialist knowledge that provided an extremely accurate short-cut to the right solution. To boot, they are professional, timely and were always willing to share the benefit of their substantial experience in the field of agency recruitment and management.

Amy Schoeman. Campaign Marketing Manager, Nando’s UK
The Observatory International displayed a deep understanding of the industry and our creative agency needs. The pitch process was comprehensive, enjoyable and professional; we are very happy with our new advertising agency, they are a great fit with our company.

Jeffrey Lu. General Manager, Danone Dumex China
The Observatory International has led a very useful process with both parties spending quality time together, discussing how to work more closely. This is the Danone way of working. It is about connection, proximity and openness. And we look forward to The Observatory International helping us continue the momentum created.

Charlie Hiscocks. Brand Communications Director SABMiller
The Observatory International has been a source of wise counsel and support in helping raise standards in the way we contract, evaluate and incentivise agencies.

Nicki Kenyon. Ex-Managing Director, asiarooms.com
We retained The Observatory International to manage the search and selection process to appoint a regional lead creative agency for AsiaRooms. Their advice, calmness under pressure and wise counsel, was invaluable in guiding us through this process successfully. The experience was nothing short of a pleasure and we’re delighted with the outcome.

Scott Perry. Marketing Manager, Nutella and Tictac
At each stage in the process The Observatory International were knowledgable and added great value – I personally felt they were an extension of our brand team. Overall I am absolutely delighted with the final result we got to. And I haven’t even mentioned they’re lovely people too.

Laurence Tournerie. General Manager, Danone Singapore
Going into the process with The Observatory International proved to be a very valuable exercise, with tangible outputs that could translate into immediate action plans in order to strengthen the client-agency relationship.

Marketing Team member, Grant’s Blended Scotch Whisky
Working with The Observatory International made our search for the perfect agency partner efficient, effective and exciting. Their proactive style, excellent process and general knowledge of the market place made the project progress at pace and offered us an invaluable service.

Marketing Team member, Grant’s Blended Scotch Whisky
I’d happily recommend The Observatory International for any agency selection work. They know the industry exceptionally well, give invaluable advice, are highly professional and – to top it off – are also fun to work with. We found them to be a perfect fit for what we needed.

Natalie Taylor. Matalan
An invaluable way to remind yourself of what best practice looks like.

James Smith. Danone Baby Nutrition
The Observatory International’s understanding and inside track of the Global Agency marketplace was invaluable in helping us to arrive at a robust shortlist. Their rigorous process and ability to co-ordinate requirements was appreciated by all members of the multi market team. We’d have no hesitation in working with them again.

Alison Jones. Former Marketing Director, Debenhams
Working with The Observatory International ensures we maximise the benefits of an agency review and minimise the hassle of it.

Andrew James. Allianz UK
The Observatory International made our job (of choosing the winner) really difficult by finding us such well matched agencies. I wouldn’t undertake another major agency appointment or agency roster review without them.

Chris Tebben. Chief Marketing Officer, Pizza Hut UK
The Observatory International brought the speed, rigour and – critically – insight needed to fully understand and leverage both the process and financial efficiencies that lie, often hidden, within the agency supplier base.

Darina Anwyl. Head of Supporter Partnerships, Cancer Research UK
Their wealth of experience and knowledge across the industry gave us invaluable insight, information and clear direction to short list the right agencies. My first stop will always be The Observatory International to maximise the effectiveness (and enjoyment!) of the pitch process.

Head of Advertising, ASDA
Good context with interesting and valuable discussions especially around the impact on remuneration within current economic climate. The [training] course has given me some clear actions to help improve the process of remuneration with our agencies and procurement team.

Paula Withell. Former Head of Advertising Tesco plc
Their clear understanding of both Client and Agency needs means that they can quickly get to the bottom of issues and provide both pragmatic and effective solutions that ensure ongoing great work.

Vicky Betts. Shop Direct Group
The Observatory is a fantastically collaborative consultancy that guided us through a perfectly planned pitch process and now positions us with a world class agency to deliver our needs, against brief and within budget. We would be delighted to work with them again on any forthcoming business.
