2019 Global Agency of the Year: Jigsaw Research

Jigsaw celebrated its 20^th year in business in 2018 and recorded its best financial performance with revenues increasing 26%, to more than £8m. Operating profit was up 92% to £1.06m.

Growth at the strategic insight agency has centred on two areas: a culture that supports creativity, bravery, collaboration and curiosity; and a strategy of building long-lasting relationships

Maintaining client relationships has resulted in 90% of its business coming from existing clients and most of its new business ( 80%) comes from word of mouth.

Among its leading clients are American Express, the Cabinet Office, Tesco and the Lawn Tennis Associate. 

It dubs its business philosophy – which embraces new thinking and technology – as ‘thinking in colour’. Last year it added three areas: evolutionary psychology; moral foundation theory; and truth, trust and implications for brands.

In terms of new techniques and technology, Jigsaw has incorporated agile working, holistic communities and implicit ad measurement.

In terms of its staff, average tenure is 11 years, and it adopts a flexible structure with nonrestrictive job titles.

Chris Edwards, former head of strategic insight at Tesco, said of Jigsaw: "Its research has had a major impact on our thinking. It’s been shared at high levels, including a workshop for our UK board, and the results have shone a new light on how people make decision about what they purchase."

Ann Morgan, director at Jigsaw, said: "We are incredibly proud to win this award – and extremely grateful to our loyal clients and team. Our success is based on a single-minded focus on building long-lasting client relationships and an internal culture that supports creativity, bravery, collaborating and curiosity. It’s just so wonderful that this has all come together in this fantastic award – we are absolutely delighted."