A Yorkshire-based marketing firm has launched a programme to connect UK digital and creative agencies with US clients. Great British Marketing (GBM), operating from Leeds and Boston, has created a panel of more than 20 pre-vetted agencies across the north of England. Collectively, the panel employs over 210 staff and generates more than £19 million annually in digital and creative services.
Research conducted by GBM over two years with more than 100 senior US marketers found that 54% were open to working with UK suppliers. Rising costs for US agencies, which can be 40% to 60% higher than UK equivalents, combined with inflation and wage growth, have increased demand for overseas providers offering competitive pricing.
The initiative, called Upshoring, enables UK agencies to access US contracts without upfront market investment. The suppliers on the panel provide services including SEO, PPC, brand strategy, media relations, graphic design, video production, coding, and UX. GBM intends to expand the panel to 40–50 agencies to create a collaborative community representing Northern creative expertise to US buyers.
GBM has worked with UK and US clients since 2014, supporting marketing agencies, software and SaaS businesses, manufacturers, regional cities, and government departments such as the Department for Business and Trade and the Ministry of Justice. Upshoring aims to deliver cost-efficient solutions to US clients while showcasing the quality and adaptability of Northern UK creative talent.
