Wyatt International at 60: celebrating six decades in business
Since 1964, Wyatt International has been a partner to B2B brands around the world, providing everything from hands-on marketing support through to spearheading global campaigns.
Today, as well as being the longest-established independent agency in the Midlands, we proudly stand as one of the region’s leading PR and Marketing agencies – a position which is backed by a top-15 ranking of agencies outside of London and a recognised leader in environmental, social and governance (ESG) marketing.
But before we explore what our agency looks like today, and what the future holds for us, we’re taking the opportunity to reflect on our journey so far.
A true original
The 1960s was an era of change, particularly here in Birmingham where the city we call home began to build for the future. In that decade alone, we saw the opening of the Bull Ring Shopping Centre and the construction of the Rotunda and Ringway Centre that define the inner-city skyline. And while the city was being rejuvenated, an energy swept through town with visits from the Beatles and Villa Park hosting matches in the 1966 World Cup.
In the same decade, the doors to Wyatt International opened for the first time in 1964. From our beginnings in marketing and advertising, we’ve grown to become a full-service bilateral B2B marketing agency and consultancy. Today, we’re trusted by some of the world’s most recognisable brands in construction, industrials and manufacturing to deliver multi-channel strategies and campaigns in complex and competitive sectors.
Under the direction of Brian Barrett, who operated within the business for fifty years, and our current CEO, Karen Bernie, with approaching 35 years’ experience, Wyatt International has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible. We’ve built a strong reputation for our expertise in handling both national and international clients, establishing long-term partnerships and delivering impactful campaigns worldwide. Above (left) Brian Barrett, Chairman (left) is pictured with John Huband who was CEO of GKN, one of the agency’s major international accounts at the time.
We also have a proud history of firsts: the first independent agency in Birmingham and the first to become the region’s number-one B2B specialist. Most recently, we became the Midlands’ first agency to transition to employee-ownership, building on our family-run heritage to secure our future as an independent partner to clients around the world.
Reflecting on the proud history of Wyatt International, Karen said: “Our 60th anniversary is an incredibly proud moment, both for our business and for me personally. We’ve got a lot to celebrate from the past six decades, not least our position as the longest-established independent agency in Birmingham and the incredible work our teams have delivered.
“Last year, we embraced employee ownership to continue the legacy of our agency and allow for future succession planning while preserving our company’s family heritage. So, as well as reflecting on our achievements to date, our 60th anniversary is the perfect time to look ahead and celebrate everything the future has to hold for us.”
Building for the future
Key to our agency’s long-term success is the unique ‘bilateral’ structure which shapes how our agency works. Bringing together the best of marketing consultancy and agency offerings, Wyatt International delivers strategic services and support – all from under one roof. That is made possible through the agency’s ‘Accelerator’ consultancy offering and delivery teams which, together, represent a truly original way of working which is proven to deliver results.
Managing Director, Mark Fones, added: “There are very few businesses in our industry that are backed by such experience, so our 60th anniversary really is something for us to celebrate. As well as looking back on our amazing achievements over many years, it’s important for us to keep looking to the future. After all, our industry evolves at pace, and we pride ourselves on our ability to stay ahead of the curve – always challenging, embracing change and pioneering new ways of thinking and working to accelerate value for our clients operating in specialist global markets.”