Oxfam chief launches agency review

Oxfam has kicked off a review of its direct marketing account held by WPN Chameleon following the appointment of new director of fundraising Tim Hunter.
Hunter joined the charity in May after five years as Unicef’s international fundraising director. He has also worked at NSPCC and Shelter, having started his career at fundraising telemarketing company Pell & Bales.
It is understood that Oxfam is holding chemistry meetings with six agencies in the next fortnight, with final pitches set for October for the four year contract.
Last March, the charity awarded its digital marketing account to Proximity London, following a four-way pitch against LBi and Kitcatt Nohr and M/Six. Proximity works on both donor acquisition and driving income growth from existing customers, using a range of digital channels, including social media.
Last month the charity revealed it had a surplus of £24m this financial year, thanks to fewer disasters, cost cutting measures and successful fundraising efforts.
Oxfam said it cut some 125 jobs and spending on aid fell by over £20m to £269m, as a result of fewer humanitarian tragedies; donations also increased.
At the results announcement, chief executive Mark Goldring said: “2012/13 was a tough year for Oxfam’s finances. In 2013/14, we’ve done much better. The overall effect of some fundraising successes, better trading, and intensive cost control has meant that we have ended 2013/14 in a stronger position than when we started it.
Oxfam was founded in Oxford in 1942 as the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief by a group of Quakers, social activists, and Oxford academics. It now comprises 17 organisations working in 90 countries worldwide to find solutions to poverty and related injustice around the world.

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