At last night’s Marketing Society Scotland Star Awards The Union was crowned Agency of the Year 2021. This is the fourth time the agency has achieved this recognition, previously winning in 2010, 2015 and 2017. The agency also won four Gold awards, one Silver and one Bronze.
An entry for the Scottish Government’s Parent Club marketing won Gold in the Digital Strategy category. Also for the Scottish Government, the campaign to tackle period inequality and discrimination won a Gold in the Marketing in Society category.
A third Gold was picked up by National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group, for an entry in the Design category. A fourth Gold was awarded to the agency for its work on The Scottish Government Carers campaign in then Public Sector category. Silver was won by Zero Waste Scotland for a paper on the ‘Scotland is stunning’ anti-litter campaign in the Public Sector category; and a Bronze was awarded for the accountancy firm French Duncan, in the Brand Experience category.
Three Unionites were nominated for individual awards. Michael Hart, the agency’s Creative Director, was nominated as Inspirational Agency Leader, Emily Willing as Rising Creative Star, and Lyndsay Snoddon as Rising Agency Star. On the night Union Account Director Lyndsay won an award; recognition of her outstanding progress over the last 12 months.
Unionites nominated for individual awards; Lyndsay Snoddon wins Rising Agency Star.
Client Services Director, Louis Killough, commented, “2020 was a tough year. And that is perhaps an understatement. But as they say, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. In 2020 we made good choices and good decisions. We made sure our clients knew we were there to support them but also we encouraged them to be brave – to be visible and use this time to be truly useful to their customers. The hard work paid off and these awards are a fantastic reward for all of us here. Our 2020 turnover was down 25%, but with sensible and prudent management we produced a strong financial result, and grew our balance sheet to over £1.5 million. Which is perhaps proof, if any was needed, that delivering great marketing campaigns works for both clients and for agencies.”
She added, “Our only disappointment is that the awards ceremony was virtual. So we didn’t get to all go on the stage to celebrate; or party together afterwards!”
The Union’s message to clients at the start of lockdown in 2020.
The Union’s Chairman, Ian McAteer, said, “The agency was 25 years old on 1st March this year. I can’t think of a better birthday present. Our team have worked really hard for this; and deserve their moment in the limelight. I also want to thank the Marketing Society for their professionalism in organising these awards and their dedication and commitment to promoting the value of marketing in Scotland. Thank you.”
For more information – https://www.union.co.uk/our-news/the-unions-2021-star-award-winners/ and https://www.union.co.uk/star-awards-2021/
Notes:
The Union is a UK integrated marketing and communications agency with expertise in branding, advertising, digital, design, partnerships, events and experiential marketing, data, segmentation, direct mail, eCRM, social strategy, content and website design and build. The agency has been in business for 25 years, employs over 80 staff and works for over 50 clients across the UK and internationally. The agency has won over 100 marketing effectiveness awards and over 400 creative awards. Success is down to a passion for sticking to core principles – delivering insight and creativity to clients, wrapped up with a passionate service ethos and an understanding that, at the end of the day, it’s the results that matter.