Sunderland-based JAM Marketing has been named Branding Agency of the Year at the North East 2026 Local Awards, recognising more than two decades of creativity, client loyalty and honest marketing support for businesses across the region and beyond. The full-service marketing agency has built its reputation on helping businesses grow through strategic marketing, PR, social media, graphic design, websites, print, advertising, SEO, PPC and brand development. With a clear belief that great businesses deserve marketing ideas that stick, JAM Marketing combines creative thinking with practical expertise to deliver campaigns that raise awareness, generate leads and create long-term results. Founded in 2004, JAM Marketing began with a simple purpose: to support local businesses with effective, affordable and creative marketing. What started as a passion for helping companies in the North East has grown into a trusted agency working with clients across the UK, while still staying true to the values that shaped the business from the very beginning.

A Sunderland Marketing Agency Built on Trust, Creativity and Results

JAM Marketing was created to help businesses make sense of marketing in a way that felt practical, personal and genuinely useful. For many companies, marketing can feel like a maze. There are websites to build, adverts to plan, social posts to schedule, brands to refine, press stories to pitch and search engines to please. JAM Marketing steps into that space with a simple promise: to help businesses grow through clear, creative and effective marketing support. Over the years, the agency has become a full-service partner for companies that want more than one-off campaigns or quick fixes. Its services cover everything from brand development and graphic design to PR, social media, websites, SEO, PPC, print and advertising. That wide mix means clients can receive joined-up support from one team, rather than trying to manage several separate suppliers who may not fully understand the bigger picture. What makes this especially valuable is the way JAM Marketing combines creativity with commercial sense. A great-looking campaign is important, but it also needs to do something. It needs to bring in enquiries, attract attention, build trust, strengthen a brand or help a business move closer to its goals. That balance between creative ideas and measurable results has helped JAM Marketing build long-standing relationships with clients who see the agency as part of their growth journey.

Staying True to the Values the Business Was Founded On

Founded by Jackie Marston in 2004, JAM Marketing was built on strong values from day one. Honesty, integrity, exceptional customer service and genuine care for clients were never just nice words on a wall. They were the principles that shaped how the business operated, how it advised clients and how it built relationships across the region. One of the agency’s most important milestones came when Jackie retired and the business was successfully taken forward by the current team. That kind of transition can be a huge moment for any company, especially one with deep client relationships and a strong founder-led identity. For JAM Marketing, maintaining trust during that period was essential. The team knew that clients were not just buying marketing services; they were buying into a way of working that had been built carefully over many years. The fact that JAM Marketing retained its client base while continuing to grow speaks volumes about how well that transition was handled. The agency did not try to reinvent itself for the sake of it. Instead, it protected the values that had made clients trust the business in the first place, while continuing to evolve its services for the modern marketing world. That ability to move forward without losing its heart is one of the reasons this award feels so well deserved.

What Makes JAM Marketing Different?

In a busy agency market, JAM Marketing stands out because of its commitment to genuine partnerships. The agency only works with one business per sector within a local area, meaning clients can be confident there is no conflict of interest. That approach is not always the easiest route for an agency, because it can mean turning down work. But for JAM Marketing, protecting client trust comes first. The agency also takes a refreshingly flexible approach to support. Many agencies work strictly to allocated hours, with additional advice, urgent requests or one-off event support treated as extras. JAM Marketing works differently. If a client needs help with an opportunity, a sudden challenge or a piece of advice outside the usual plan, the team believes in doing what is right rather than immediately looking at how to charge more. That mindset says a lot about the agency’s character. JAM Marketing is clear that it will never recommend or sell a service simply to increase revenue. Every strategy, campaign and recommendation is made with one goal in mind: delivering real value and measurable results for the client. In a world where businesses are often bombarded with marketing buzzwords and expensive promises, that honesty is powerful. It builds confidence, and over time, confidence becomes loyalty.

Overcoming Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Like many businesses, JAM Marketing faced one of its biggest challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. As uncertainty grew, many companies naturally became cautious with spending. Marketing budgets were reduced, campaigns were paused and businesses across sectors were forced to make difficult decisions. For an agency whose work depends on helping other companies promote themselves, that period brought serious pressure. JAM Marketing saw its client base decrease significantly during that time, but the team chose not to respond by stepping back from the clients who remained. Instead, they focused on supporting businesses through the uncertainty. They offered practical advice, helped clients look at cost-saving measures and remained available when people needed guidance. It was the kind of support that may not always show up immediately on a spreadsheet, but it matters deeply when relationships are built for the long term. By standing alongside clients during some of their most difficult moments, JAM Marketing strengthened the trust that already existed. When restrictions eased and business confidence began to return, those relationships remained intact. That period showed the difference between being a supplier and being a real partner. A supplier may deliver a service when things are easy. A partner stays close when things are difficult, listens carefully and helps clients find a way forward.

Client Loyalty That Spans More Than Two Decades

One of JAM Marketing’s proudest achievements is looking at its client list today and seeing businesses that have been with the agency since day one. In the marketing world, that is no small thing. Agencies can come and go, strategies change, platforms evolve, and businesses often switch suppliers when they feel they are not being listened to. To retain clients for over two decades is a remarkable sign of trust. That loyalty reflects more than good campaign work. It reflects the relationships JAM Marketing has built, the results it has delivered and the consistency of its service. Clients do not stay with an agency for years simply because the logo looks good or because a social media post performed well once. They stay because they feel understood. They stay because the advice is honest. They stay because the agency keeps showing up, keeps caring and keeps helping them move forward. For JAM Marketing, that long-term trust is one of the greatest compliments the business could receive. It shows that the agency’s approach has stood the test of time. Marketing has changed dramatically since 2004, from print-heavy campaigns and traditional advertising to digital-first strategies, search visibility, paid ads and constant social media engagement. Yet through all that change, the agency’s central belief has remained the same: put the client’s best interests first, and the relationship will last.

Supporting the Local Community Through Marketing

Community support has always been important to JAM Marketing. Each year, the agency chooses a charity and provides marketing and social media services free of charge. This gives good causes access to professional support that can help them raise awareness, engage supporters and increase their impact without the added pressure of marketing costs. Most recently, JAM Marketing had the privilege of working with Feeding Families, supporting its marketing efforts and helping the charity continue its important work for families across the region. For organisations doing vital community work, visibility matters. The right message, shared in the right way, can encourage donations, attract volunteers, increase awareness and help more people understand the scale of the need. This approach shows how JAM Marketing uses its skills beyond commercial work. Marketing is not only about selling products or services. At its best, it can connect people, tell important stories and help communities rally around causes that matter. By offering its expertise to charities, JAM Marketing is making a positive contribution to the place it calls home. That kind of commitment fits naturally with a business that has always believed in relationships, trust and doing the right thing.

Why Being Local Matters to JAM Marketing

For JAM Marketing, being part of the local community is not just a location on a website. It is central to how the agency understands its clients and their customers. The team lives, works and spends time in the same communities as many of the businesses it supports. That gives them a grounded understanding of local people, local challenges and the kind of messages that genuinely resonate. This can be a real advantage when creating campaigns. In many cases, the team is part of the target audience themselves. They understand what local consumers care about, how they make decisions and what kind of communication feels authentic rather than forced. That insight can make the difference between a campaign that simply looks polished and one that actually connects. The North East is full of ambitious businesses with strong stories to tell. JAM Marketing helps those businesses shape their message and reach the people who need to hear it. Whether working with a small family-run company or a more established organisation, the agency brings both professional expertise and local understanding to the table. That combination is difficult to fake. It comes from being present, being involved and genuinely caring about the success of the area.

A Customer Story That Shows the Power of Strategy

One customer story that stands out for JAM Marketing involved a small family-run business that came to the agency after struggling to generate enquiries. The business offered an excellent service, but despite investing in different forms of advertising over the years, it had never developed a clear marketing strategy or consistent brand presence. Like many good businesses, it had the substance but not the structure. JAM Marketing began by taking the time to understand the business properly. Rather than jumping straight into tactics, the team looked at what the company offered, who it wanted to reach and why previous efforts had not delivered the desired results. From there, the agency developed a tailored marketing plan that included a refreshed brand identity, targeted social media activity, local PR and a new website designed to generate enquiries. Within a few months, the business began to see a noticeable increase in leads and customer engagement. But for JAM Marketing, the most rewarding part was not just the numbers. It was the feedback from the owner, who said they finally felt confident about the future of the business. That kind of transformation is exactly why good marketing matters. It does not just make a company look better; it can give business owners clarity, direction and renewed belief in what they are building.

Reaction to Winning Branding Agency of the Year

When JAM Marketing found out it had won Branding Agency of the Year, the team was genuinely shocked. As a creative agency, they take enormous pride in the work they produce and the brands they help build, but being recognised as the winner across the North East was still an incredible honour. The award represents the hard work, creativity and dedication that goes into every project the agency undertakes. Behind every campaign are conversations, ideas, revisions, strategy sessions, design decisions, content plans and careful thinking about how to help a client achieve their goals. Much of that work happens behind the scenes, so external recognition can feel especially meaningful. Winning in such a competitive region made the moment even more special. The North East has a strong and growing creative sector, filled with talented agencies, designers, marketers and brand specialists. To be recognised among that community is a proud achievement for the entire JAM Marketing team. It is a moment that celebrates not only one campaign or one year of work, but the consistency, care and creativity the agency has delivered over many years.

What the Award Means to the Team

Winning this award means a great deal to JAM Marketing and the entire team. It provides recognition for the passion and commitment that goes into helping clients succeed every day. Marketing work can be fast-paced and demanding, with deadlines, changing platforms, shifting customer behaviour and constant pressure to deliver results. Awards like this offer a moment to pause and recognise the effort behind the outcomes. For the team, the award also brings confidence. It reinforces the belief that the work they do is making a real difference to local businesses. Seeing clients grow and succeed has always been JAM Marketing’s biggest motivation, and this recognition is a reminder that their advice, creativity and support have a genuine impact. What makes the award especially meaningful is that JAM Marketing has never measured success only by its own growth. The agency sees client success as its success. When a business receives more enquiries, strengthens its reputation, launches a stronger brand or feels more confident about the future, that is the result that matters. This award reflects that bigger picture. It celebrates a team that has stayed focused on helping others grow.

A Recognition of Strong Client Relationships

JAM Marketing believes this award is a reflection of the trust its customers place in the agency every day. Many clients have been with the business for years, and some have remained loyal since the very beginning. That kind of long-standing relationship says more than any slogan could. It shows that clients feel supported, understood and valued. The agency has always focused on being more than a supplier. Its aim is to be a trusted partner that genuinely cares about each client’s success. That means taking the time to understand a business, offering honest advice and building strategies that suit the client’s goals rather than pushing services for the sake of it. It also means being available when clients need help, whether that is for a planned campaign, an urgent opportunity or a moment of uncertainty. This recognition is therefore not just about JAM Marketing as a business. It is also about the partnerships the agency has developed with local companies and the results they have achieved together. Marketing works best when there is trust on both sides. Clients need to trust the agency’s advice, and the agency needs to understand the client’s ambitions, concerns and values. JAM Marketing’s award win shows how powerful that relationship can be.

Looking Ahead to the Future

JAM Marketing is excited about the future and focused on continuing to grow its client portfolio. The agency wants to work with more ambitious businesses across the region and beyond, helping them raise their profile, attract new customers and achieve sustainable growth through effective marketing. As the business continues to evolve, the team remains committed to the same values that have guided JAM Marketing since day one. Honest advice, exceptional service and long-term relationships will continue to sit at the centre of the agency’s work. While marketing tools and platforms will always change, those principles will remain constant. The agency’s future is not about chasing trends for the sake of it. It is about helping businesses make smart decisions in a noisy marketplace. Whether that means developing a stronger brand, improving online visibility, generating more leads or creating campaigns that connect with local audiences, JAM Marketing will continue to focus on practical results. The team firmly believes that its clients’ success is its success, and it is looking forward to being part of many more business growth stories in the years ahead.

Thanking Jackie Marston and the People Behind the Journey

JAM Marketing is clear about who deserves special recognition: Jackie Marston. As the founder of the business, Jackie remains at the heart of everything the agency stands for today. When she established JAM Marketing in 2004, she built it on strong foundations of honesty, integrity, outstanding customer service and genuine care for the success of every client. Those foundations continue to guide the agency today. Every decision, every relationship and every achievement is connected to the values Jackie created over two decades ago. For the current team, this award is as much a reflection of her vision and dedication as it is of those carrying that vision forward. The agency also sends a heartfelt thank you to its clients, supporters, referral partners, friends and family. Their trust, loyalty and encouragement have played a huge part in JAM Marketing’s journey and this achievement. The team is incredibly proud to work with so many fantastic businesses and never takes that trust for granted. JAM Marketing’s win as Branding Agency of the Year is a celebration of creativity, consistency and client care. It recognises a Sunderland agency that has supported businesses for more than 20 years while staying true to its original values. With loyal clients, strong community roots and a clear passion for helping businesses grow, JAM Marketing continues to prove that great marketing is not just about being seen. It is about being remembered, trusted and valued.