The B2B industry launch the B2B Code of Conduct

B2B sector unites to form first Code of Conduct to cement industry best practice

The DMA is proud to announce our support of the new B2B Principles of Partnership (B2B PoP). The B2B marketing industry has united to draw up a Code of Conduct for both agencies and clients in an industry-wide collaboration

The initiative, led by The Magnus Club, a B2b strategic consultancy for both agencies and clients, and B2B Marketing was born out of discussions with both agency leaders and client-side CMO’s on the need to work better together. The resulting best practice recommendations – covering pitching, onboarding and communications – is designed to accelerate growth, effectiveness and ROI in the sector through strengthening the agency/client partnership.

This is the first time the B2B sector has come together to work towards a shared purpose of accelerating growth. Leading agencies Ogilvy, Octopus Group, Omobono, Gilroy and Sojourn Solutions have already signed up to the code, as well as key client representatives such as Capita, with more expected to follow. Industry networking group, the Business Marketing Club, has also lent its support.

“This is hopefully the beginning of a positive change in our industry, there is much more we can do to improve the partnership but it has to start with transparency,” said Teresa Allan, founder of The Magnus Club. “If both clients and agencies agree to work in a certain common framework together, it can only benefit the sector as a whole and drive up standards.”

Antonia Wade, CMO, Capita, said: “As a client, we get the best results when we work with agencies as one team. Partnership is about communication, trust and respect – if you have the right chemistry, you are more likely to produce great work. The Code brings these front of mind and leads to positive, conscious behaviours.”

Jon Lonsdale, Octopus Group CEO, said: “This is an important initiative for us to be involved with as an agency. The B2B sector is a major driving force for the economy right now, and anything that improves standards, collaboration and growth has to be welcomed.”

Sam Williams Thomas, Head of Business to Business, Ogilvy: “There has never been a greater need for clients and agencies to communicate better with each other. Budgets, goals and teams are changing weekly and we need to be transparent in these challenging times.”

Susie Clark, Managing Director, Omobono, said: “Omobono is fully supportive of the B2B Code of Conduct and hopes that it will shine a light on best practice between clients and agencies. We’re excited to work together towards a shared purpose and hope to extend it over time to cover other important areas such as diversity and inclusivity.”

Although the B2B sector appears to be weathering the pandemic better than their B2C counterparts, the marketing heads and agency leaders recognise the importance of working better together with improved communication, transparency and trust.

The Code is a free resource available to everyone to use as a guide to building strong agency/client partnerships and can be found at https://b2bpop.org/ . For questions, comments or to add your support to the B2B Code of Conduct, please contact teresa@themagnusclub.com

The DMA B2B Council is continuously working on how to help build a better environment for better B2B practice. If you would like to learn more about B2B marketing or contribute to the discussion, please get in touch with councils@dma.org.uk