Founder’s Story: Melissa Laurie’s Journey

Melissa Laurie is a seasoned marketing professional with over a decade of experience in social media and content strategy. She built her career at major media and tech companies, including roles at TripAdvisor, Fairfax Media, and Bauer Media, honing skills in video marketing and community building.

In 2022, Melissa took the bold step of leaving her 12-year corporate career to launch Oysterly in Singapore. This leap was fueled by an epiphany during the pandemic: she noticed short-form videos on platforms like TikTok and Reels exploding in popularity, yet many brands were struggling to keep up. 

Sensing an untapped opportunity, Melissa set out to turn that grit into pearls by helping brands harness authentic video content when traditional marketing faltered. Her expertise in short-form video and UGC quickly became Oysterly’s backbone, as she cultivated a network of creators and perfected strategies for viral storytelling.

“I built Oysterly on a simple belief: that authentic, data-driven content can turn a tiny grain of an idea into a pearl of marketing wisdom. When you trust real voices and real insights, every campaign can become a pearl that shines.” 

Industry Recognition & Thought Leadership

Melissa Laurie on stage at CreatorWorld 2024, sharing insights on UGC marketing

Melissa’s passion and results have earned her recognition in the industry and media alike. She was named among Campaign Asia’s Women to Watch Asia Pacific 2023, honored as a rising talent transforming the marketing landscape. 

As a sought-after speaker, Melissa regularly shares her expertise at major conferences around the world. She has delivered talks at Social Media Marketing World in the U.S. on the future of social media search, and has been featured on stage at leading events like CreatorWorld and DigiMarCon, where she offers her hard-won “pearls of wisdom” to fellow marketers. 

Her insights on leveraging UGC and short-form video have also been spotlighted in media interviews and podcasts, reinforcing Oysterly’s reputation as an authority in the social video space. 

By combining Melissa’s visionary leadership with Oysterly’s unique approach, we’re turning grit into pearls every day – one video, one campaign, one pearl at a time. 

Our team is excited to partner with brands that dare to be different and engage audiences in a real way. Every campaign is a pearl, and we’re here to help yours shine. 

Awards & Media Features

• Campaign Asia: Women to Watch: Melissa Laurie, Oysterly
• danamic: Your Cheat Sheet to Going Viral on Social Media with Melissa Laurie from CreatorWeek 2024!
• Business Times: $15,000 boost for S’pore SMEs