2019 has started with Union group companies winning a raft of new accounts, both public and private sector.
Late in 2018 and in the first few months of 2019 the agency saw record levels of enquiries, tenders and pitches which has resulted in several key new clients.
In the public sector the agency was awarded the Scottish Government’s ‘Smarter Wealthier Fairer’ portfolio of projects, which covers a wide range of important policy areas, from teacher, healthcare and tourism recruitment to new social security benefits, period poverty and Scotland’s Census.
The agency was also successful in being appointed on two contracts by Zero Waste Scotland, for both strategic and creative work, as well as all digital and website development and marketing. This includes maintaining and developing the client’s suite of websites. Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) has the vital task of educating and influencing everyone in Scotland to use products and resources responsibly, focusing on having the greatest impact on climate change. ZWS uses evidence and insight to inform policy, and motivate individuals and businesses to embrace the environmental, economic, and social benefits of a circular economy.
Another significant public sector win for the agency was the task of tourism promotion for the Scottish Borders and Midlothian regions, following the creation of the Midlothian and Borders Tourism Action Group (MBTAG). MBTAG is a new body specifically created to boost tourism in the regions. Other public sector wins were gained for Global Scot, Police Scotland and National Library of Scotland.
The Union Group has picked up a range of new clients in early 2019.
Private sector accounts gained included projects for TechnipFMC, a global leader in subsea, onshore, offshore, and surface technologies in the oil and gas sector.
Working together, Union Direct and Union Digital gained two significant new clients – digital marketing for Bella & Duke, an online raw dog food brand, and also Campbell’s Meat, with a brief to grow their online B2C e-commerce business. Campbell’s Meat is one of Scotland’s biggest food services businesses with a turnover of over £50 million.
Meanwhile Union Digital won the tender for a new website for the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, as well as a new project to develop a trade website for Loch Ness by Jacobite, the award-winning boat cruise operator. The team were also awarded the contract to design and build a new e-commerce website for Timberbush Tours, the leading Scottish coach tour operator.
Commenting on the wins, Union Chairman Ian McAteer said: “As everyone in the agency business knows, winning new business is hard work. With the odds of winning at one in four or five at best, and the significant investment in time and energy required, any single win is brilliant news. To have been able to maintain a winning run of over ten new clients in just a few months is unprecedented. It’s down to a lot of hard work from the amazing team here. Now the hard work really starts; to deliver for our all our clients, both new and existing. We’re looking forward to the year ahead.”