Phoenix Financial PR wins inaugural WealthBriefing marketing award for J. Stern & Co. campaign
17 SEPT, 2026
By Joanna Piwko from RankiaPro Europe
Boutique investment communications consultancy Phoenix Financial PR has won the Marketing Campaign (Europe) category at the inaugural WealthBriefing Innovation in Marketing Awards, recognised for its multi-channel campaign built around independent asset manager J. Stern & Co. The win, announced this week, caps a four-year mandate that Managing Director Gordon Puckey says took the boutique manager from a near-zero media profile to an established industry commentator, and lands as Phoenix marks its 21st year in business.
Phoenix named winner in WealthBriefing's inaugural marketing awards
The awards were launched by Clearview Financial Media, publisher of WealthBriefing, to celebrate firms, teams and individuals demonstrating creativity and innovation across the global wealth management industry. Stephen Harris, the group's CEO, said the programme was designed to spotlight organisations setting new standards in their specialist areas, judged by an independent panel.
Winning an award provides independent recognition of a firm's achievements, demonstrating its commitment to innovative marketing, commercial success and delivering exceptional value to clients. In an increasingly competitive marketplace, this recognition helps reinforce credibility, strengthen brand reputation and showcase leadership within the industry. Participants around the world recognise that winning awards is particularly important in these challenging times, as it offers clients reassurance in the solidity and sustainability of the winner's business and operating model.
Stephen Harris, CEO, Clearview Financial Media
Concluding on the category result, Harris tied the launch of the awards to a broader shift in the sector.
The launch of the Innovation in Marketing Awards reflects the growing importance of creativity, strategic thinking and innovation within the wealth management industry. They provide organisations and individuals with the opportunity to have their work independently recognised, benchmark themselves against their peers and celebrate outstanding achievements, so Gordon and his team can be immensely proud of their achievement. – says Harris.
Judges cite "strategic media execution" behind the campaign
In selecting Phoenix for the category, the judging panel pointed specifically to how the campaign combined sustained thought leadership with a coordinated, multi-channel media presence for J. Stern & Co.
Excellence in strategic media execution defined this campaign, combining intelligent communications with sustained thought leadership to elevate market presence and reinforce brand authority. Its consistent, multi-channel approach delivered exceptional visibility, strengthened credibility and demonstrated the enduring value of reputation-led marketing.
Chair of Judges, WealthBriefing Innovation in Marketing Awards
Four years positioning J. Stern & Co. as an independent, quality-focused manager
The winning campaign sits within a longer relationship: Phoenix has represented J. Stern & Co., a London-based independent asset manager, for just over four years. Puckey framed the win as recognition of that track record.
We have a proven track record in raising the profile of smaller, lesser-known concerns and have in a little over four years succeeded in positioning J. Stern & Co. as an independent boutique asset manager investing in quality assets for the long term. It is today a go-to commentator from a near zero base, and we are proud of the positive media backdrop we have created for the business as it looks to scale.
Gordon Puckey, Managing Director, Phoenix Financial PR
Puckey linked the award to Phoenix's wider client base, several of whom the consultancy has advised for more than a decade, and to the firm's own milestone this year.
We are fortunate to work with a wonderful portfolio of firms, client partners in many cases for more than a decade. Recognising the energy and tenacity we bring to our clients year on year, alongside the quality and impact of our work, the WealthBriefing Award recognises the creativity, passion and dedication of our team, as well as our commitment to delivering impactful marketing campaigns, and it comes as we celebrate our 21st year in business, so is timely and a wonderful accolade to receive as we look to explore relationships with other like-minded investment concerns. – Gordon Puckey adds.
