In 1988, agency Managing Director Jill Collins was holidaying in Greece with her sister when they visited a temple in Delphi, where they discovered an owl perched on a statue of Athena. The symbolism resonated with Jill and sparked a lifelong habit of collecting owl souvenirs on her travels.

Years later, as she launched her own PR agency, those owls found a new home in the business. Jill felt a special connection to the Australian Barking Owl, sharing traits from their colouring to their east-coast habitat, and even their distinctive, spirited call. The name felt like a natural fit for both her personality and the agency's voice.