2026 AMRA Brochure - Product brochure - Page 33
PHD UK: PHD Insight
the7stars: Research & Insight Team
At the7stars, 24 specialists across research, analytics, data
science and econometrics united in 2025 to make impact
the new standard. Their independent spirit allowed them
to build proprietary solutions like Project Unity for Bauer, a
predictive model that helped grow Hits Radio’s weekly reach
to 7.2 million listeners, and Gravity Connect, which turned
data fragmentation into precision targeting. ClaireTalk for
Iceland transformed 昀椀ve years of segmentation research into
a conversational AI tool that democratised insight across the
business. The team delivered over 90 bespoke projects whilst
maintaining their IPA Effectiveness Accreditation and MRS
Company Partner status.
Judges’ comment
“A great example of how integrated teams can create tangible
business value. The7stars demonstrate that when research, data
and analytics work as one, the results speak for themselves.”
PHD Insight were focused on utilising great talent to deliver
great work that matters.
Embodying the agency’s positioning to ‘Outthink, Outpace,
Outgrow’. The team achieved consistent growth for a 昀椀fth
consecutive year, launched their Culture Currents thoughtleadership programme with ‘Is Optimism Dead?’, and created
PHD Streamscore to measure gaming stream impact. They
expanded their client offering with work for Audi, Warner Bros,
and Home Instead. Despite signi昀椀cant business challenges and
resource 昀氀uctuations (half the team having babies in 2024/25),
they exceeded targets whilst growing the team by a third.
Judges’ comment
“PHD Insight’s ability to deliver commercial growth, product
innovation and thought leadership whilst facing genuine
challenges, and welcoming multiple new team member, shows
resilience and ambition in equal measure.”
OMNICOM: OMG R&I
Wavemaker: Audience Intelligence
Operating against challenging industry headlines, Wavemaker’s
seven-strong Audience Intelligence team let their work do the
talking. They secured major government segmentation projects,
won work from King (Candy Crush) despite being a UK team
pitching for US business, and became strategic partners to
challenger brands like Paramount+ and e.l.f.
Their diverse portfolio spanned 昀椀ve government audience
segmentations, brand tracking, AI system development and
behavioural science collaboration. The team had zero churn
and committed to taking lunch together daily on the WPP
balcony. Proving commercial excellence and team wellbeing
aren’t mutually exclusive.
Judges’ comment
“Wavemaker proved that even in turbulent times, quality work
and supportive culture create unstoppable momentum.”
Only formally launched as a network team in January 2025,
OMG R&I, now part of OMNICOM, has grown from a legacy
of two people over a decade ago into a 21-strong team
supporting every Omnicom agency. They’re now the highest
revenue-generating research unit within Omnicom, with strong
double-digit growth. Their Future of Search programme for
Zurich pioneered new ways to measure brand visibility in the
age of generative AI, whilst Signals 2025 gathered insights
from nearly 39,000 respondents across 38 markets.
The OMG Insight Hub launched in September 2025 attracted
over 12,000 visits, and their insights contributed to major pitch
wins including Merlin.
Judges’ comment
“OMNICOM’s OMG EMEA R&I demonstrated that international
scale and local impact aren’t contradictory. Their ability to operate
as the only international research function within Omnicom whilst
delivering tangible pitch wins and innovative methodologies shows
strategic vision matched by commercial nous.”
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