Posterscope's Gill Huber takes top Oystercatchers role

Oystercatchers, the Centaur Media-owned pitch consultancy, has recruited Posterscope chief client officer and WACL executive Gill Huber as its new managing partner.

The consultancy, which was bought by Centaur in 2016 and sits within the company’s Xeim division, has led consultancy work and pitches for multiple brands over the past 12 months, including Samsung, Macmillan, Wickes, Which? and John West.

Huber will succeed Jude Bridge, the former Marks & Spencer and Mothercare marketing chief, who has stepped down to return to her non-executive and portfolio career.

She started her career at Vizeum in 1996 as an account planner before switching to OMD in 2000. In 2003, she joined Starcom MediaVest Group as business director as well as marketing and communications director, a dual role she held for nearly 12 years.

Huber joined Posterscope in 2014 as head of marketing and communications and led the launch of the UK’s first 100% recyclable posters; the ‘Moments of Truth’ OOH study in collaboration with Clear Channel and JCDecaux, and introduction of PSMind – an AI machine learning tool which forecasts and tracks population movement.

Oystercatchers executive director Suki Thompson said: “Huge changes in human behaviour resulting from Covid have accelerated transformation across digital, marketing and creativity. We’re heading to post-lockdown recovery, consumer confidence is returning and pitches are stepping up as clients look for agency partners to help navigate the path to growth.

“Gill’s superb credentials in collaborating with clients, creative and media agencies, and media owners are second to none. We’re delighted to welcome her to the Oystercatchers’ family.”

Huber also sits on WACL’s executive as honorary secretary, is a member of the MSc Strategic Marketing Advisory Board at Imperial College Business School and part of NABS’ 100 Club of senior industry leaders.

She said: “The passion, expertise, and dedication to deliver a mission of accelerating growth for brands can be vibrantly seen in (Oystercatchers’) people, throughout the business and in every touchpoint. I feel privileged to be taking the helm and working alongside Suki and Richard (Robinson).

“Given the turbulent times we’re all experiencing, the need for brand growth will accelerate and, from my experience, strong client and agency partnerships working in the best possible way is crucial to winning. I’m looking forward to working with a terrific team to nurture and support successful, enduring client and agency relationships set up to navigate new challenges and opportunities ahead.”