Event looks to growth of Scots ad industry

The success of Scotland’s £1.7 billion advertising sector, those that drive it forward, and the ways the medium can help SMES help grow the Scottish economy have been highlighted at an event at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh.

It was hosted by the Advertising Association, which said £1 spent on advertising in Scotland generates £5 for the Scottish economy, so the £1.7bn ad spend equates to a near-£9bn boost that in turn contributes 42,000 Scottish jobs.

Scottish business minister Paul Wheelhouse was guest of honour at the event, which united representatives from politics, advertising, business and media.

The event also saw the official launch of the association’s Aaccelerate for Growth pilot programme to help SMES advertise more.

Research has found that only 43 per cent of such firms in the UK advertise, but £1 spent on advertising can benefit them eight times as much as a larger business.

Stephen Woodford, chief executive of the Advertising Association, said the scheme was set up to show the added value that advertising offers for SMES to help them achieve their goals. He said: “We forward to supporting them in their aims.”

John Mclellan, director of the Scottish Newspaper Society, said: “It’s in the interests of the whole Scottish economy for businesses to communicate more effectively with their markets and customers, and as a key component of Scotland’s advertising infrastructure, the multi-channel news sector is delighted to help make that happen.” 0 The Scottish Newspaper Society’s John Mclellan