THE SKIN AND BLISTER STORY
1980
Fi meets Katie in a hospital soon after she’s born.
They’ve been siblings ever since.
2000
Fi graduates from Leeds university with a degree in genetics.
2016
After working in healthcare communications for years, Fi and Katie launch their own agency. But what to call it?
Early ideas included Kindred (somebody else had it) and Brave (thanks for nothing, Pixar), before settling on the cockney rhyming slang for sister, Skin and Blister.
2003
Katie graduates from UWE with a degree in biomedical sciences.
1ST JUL, 2016
Skin and Blister is born.
2ND JUL, 2016
Fi and Katie realise they have no clients. Panic ensues.
NOV, 2016
Skin and Blister is successful with their first ever pitch, winning for diabetes and vascular care in Ireland. They have a Guinness or three to celebrate.
APR, 2017
Katie meets the Head of Procurement at Roche. Four months later, Skin and Blister is invited to pitch.
SEP, 2018
Skin and Blister reaches the finals for 'Team of the Year' at the PM Digital Awards.
JAN, 2019
The Skin and Blister team is now large enough to justify tax-deductible 'meetings'.
FEB, 2020
Skin and Blister wins their first animal health client.
MAR, 2020
After COVID takes hold, the whole country leaves the office to work from home. Skin and Blister kick themselves for not buying shares in Zoom.
JUN, 2020
Skin and Blister hosts a ruminants virtual workshop.
“This was one of the best workshops that I have attended – virtual or otherwise!” Business Unit Director
NOV, 2020
While 2020 is a tough year, it's pretty decent for Skin and Blister. We win new clients, grow the business, do our best ever creative work and enter our first PM Awards.
1980s–90s
Raised by two family doctors and regularly hanging out in the surgery (yes, they were the cool kids), Fi and Katie inherited a love of healthcare and helping patients.
MAR, 2021
Huzzah! Skin and Blister are bronze winners at the 2021
PM Awards, for the 'Creative Culture Award'. A true milestone moment.
JAN, 2018
The growing team starts working with their first Clinical Research Organisation (CRO) client. Fi celebrates by buying a tumble dryer. Fi and Katie agree to start buying more exciting celebratory gifts.
JUN, 2021
Fi goes back to school with the P&G Supplier Academy to hone her leadership, business strategy and commercial skills, joining an elite group of women business owners.
FEB, 2022
Katie has a triumphant start to the year, graduating from The Marketing Academy Scholarship program and winning the Wendy Braverman WACL Talent Award, which she gifts to the whole team (not under duress).
MAR, 2022
A Skin and Blister internal comms campaign goes straight to the heart, delivering emotion on an epic scale and winning another bronze PM Award along the way. Everyone self awards bubbles. At the same event, Katie is an Agency Champion finalist and one Skin and Blister-nominated client shines, winning the Pharma Marketing Pioneer award. Paying it forward for the win.
FEB, 2019
A project is nicknamed 'Arnie' because it keeps coming back. All projects are given interesting names from this moment on.
JUN, 2019
Regular Happiness Surveys are sent our to clients. One of them writes
“You are so much more than a creative agency, you are our strategic partner.”
NOV, 2019
Before a podcast recording with Agencyphonics, Fi accidentally drinks mouthwash. The podcast goes well and Fi survives. PHEW.
SEP, 2017
Skin and Blister is awarded a product launch for Roche and Chugai. Katie can finally afford to buy a new boiler.
Read what Roche have to say about their partnership with Skin and Blister.
MAY, 2022
Skin and Blister helps launch a new brand in ophthalmology. The art department has never looked at so many elderly gentlemen’s heads in the quest for the perfect model.
JAN, 2023
Everyone at Skin and Blister becomes a Living Leader. Some team members describe the programme as ‘life- changing’.
Skin and Blister invest in exploring Web3 and AI, running training opportunities for the team. Ops and Innovation Lead, Jo, completes the Cactus Web3 Mastermind programme. Mint.
AUG, 2023
Fi is selected to join the AstraZeneca 2023–2024 Mentorship Program for Small and Diverse Business.
Katie and Fi participate in various awards juries throughout the year. Judgy.
APR, 2024
First client AI workshop for pharma client teams receives fantastic feedback.
MAY, 2024
Cyber Essentials certification helps keep Skin and Blister and its clients safe from online threats.
JUL, 2024
Project Manager and all-round superstar Max sings live on stage at MAD Fest. Katie offers to support her on the tambourine. Max declines.
Katie and Fi join the Women in Pharma network, championing the cause for the future of the industry.
SEP, 2024
Fi and Katie's speaker era begins. This month alone, they will be talking about AI use in agencies, virtual culture, rebellion and leading with purpose and authenticity. They will channel their inner Swifties, wearing bright red lipstick on stage, as Taylor does through all her eras. Fearless.
