The Union has appointed Ken Dixon to head up the agency’s Planning Department. Ken has over 20 years’ experience in brand development, brand architecture, communication and strategy. He has worked in agencies in London, Hong Kong and Edinburgh, ranging from boutique ‘hot-shops’ (such as St Luke’s) to multi-nationals Ogilvy and Leo Burnett.
In 2002 he co-founded Newhaven in Edinburgh (after a short spell at The Leith Agency) which went on to win a host of awards for creativity and effectiveness with both public and private sector clients including ABInBev, Iberdrola, HBOS, and The Scottish Government.
Ken has spent the past five years working in London on a variety of UK and multi-national clients in the tech, civic society, retail, leisure and tourism sectors. This includes working with such clients as Body Shop, Mitre, Pentland Group, Nuffield College, Saga, Knight Dragon and Argent.
Ken will sit on the Senior Leadership Team at the agency, helping to steer the direction of the business.
On joining the agency, Ken commented: “From the moment I was first contacted about the role I’ve been impressed by the passion and ambition of the Leadership team and the talent and buzz within the agency. The Union was always a competitor that I admired and throughout the interview process there was an immediate and positive chemistry. Instinctively felt like the right move for me and I’m loving the collaborative culture. We already have some amazing clients and plans for many more so it’s a great time for a fresh challenge at just the right time in my career.”
He continued: “I am fascinated by what makes people and organisations tick, and the power of a brand purpose to galvanise and inspire material and emotional change. The meeting room might be where the decisions are made, but the cultural shifts and emotional energy happen in all parts of a business. I’m hoping to bring some fresh thinking to The Union to help the agency further develop and grow. And of course, it’s great to be back in a resurgent Edinburgh after five years in London.”
Ian McAteer, Chairman and Managing Director, said: “Ken has a great reputation and inspired us with his energy and experience. He knows the market well, knows many of our clients, and understands what it takes to run an agency in Scotland. We already have a great planning culture here, as evidenced by our consistent success in the Marketing Star Awards, so it’s both reassuring and energising to have someone of his calibre join our top team.”
Ken joins the agency after the retirement of Union founder and Planning Director Mark Reid, and the secondment of Head of Planning Nicci Motiang to The Scottish Government.