Prestigious ‘Oscar’ award for Lees marketing agency

CORNERSTONE Design and Marketing is celebrating an ‘incredible achievement’ after its campaign for heartburn treatment brand Pyrocalm Control won Best Niche Advertising Campaign at OTC Marketing Awards 2025.

The award recognises outstanding creativity, strategic direction and results within highly targeted advertising campaign up to £500,000.

Lees-based Cornerstone, in partnership with client Dexcel Pharma, secured the win for its work on Pyrocalm Control’s ‘Get to the Heart of the Burn’ campaign, which impressed judges with its deep audience insight, innovative execution and measurable impact within a specialised market segment.

Judges commented: “The campaign effectively differentiated Pyrocalm in a crowded market and the combination of creative visuals and strategic media placements demonstrated a clear understanding of their target audience, resulting in significant brand growth and increased distribution.”

The OTC Marketing Awards, in its 30th year, is a much-respect event which recognises marketing achievements in the consumer healthcare industry and is overseen by a panel of 39 expert judges.

It brings together leading agencies, brands and innovators from across the UK.

Cornerstone’s win places the Oldham-based agency firmly among the region’s top-performing creative and marketing specialists.

Founded by managing director David Wadsworth in 2008 from his parent’s attic space, Cornerstone Design and Marketing has built a reputation for delivering integrated marketing, PR, digital, and creative campaigns shaped by insight and driven by measurable results.

The agency’s mix of strategic thinking, fresh creativity and multi-channel expertise has enabled it to grow a strong portfolio of clients across consumer healthcare, public sector, community leisure, manufacturing and arts and culture.

David commented: “Winning the Best Niche Advertising Campaign award is an incredible achievement for our team.

“This category showcases work that requires absolute precision – understanding unique audiences, tailoring messages in meaningful ways, and delivering powerful results.

“We’re proud to see the creativity and passion of our team recognised on a national stage.”