Firms revealed for pilot project

A group of five Scottish SMES has today been revealed as the first to take part in an “unprecedented” collaborative project to catalyse economic growth in Scotland.

The Advertising Association said that since its launch in June it has been working to identify the first businesses to take part in its Aaccelerate Scotland pilot project to enable SMES across the country to advertise more and boost their bottom line.

The group has been revealed as scheduling software firm Appointedd; Green Tourism; bespoke timber frame kit house designer and manufacturer Fleming Homes; outdoor cookware firm Ooni; and veterinary specialist Vets Now.

The firms will be working in collaboration with Advertising Association members The Lane Agency, Story and Frame to put together multi-channel campaigns. They will also work with the likes of media organisations – including the Scottish Newspaper Society – andsupportersofaaccelerate Scotland to ensure the delivery of a productive advertising campaign.

It was also stressed that every £1 spent on advertising in Scotland generates £5 for the Scottish economy, so the £1.7 billion spent generates £8.8bn, which in turn contributes 42,000 Scottish jobs.

Aaccelerate Scotland’s chairman and partner at the Leith Agency Brian Coane said the five firms are “great businesses and showcase both the talent and variety in Scottish businesses, operating across the UK and internationally”.

Stephen Woodford, chief executive of the Advertising Association, said the news is a “hugely important step” for the project.

He said: “We hope it marks the start of a more wideranging initiative where SMES can realise the potential that advertising in a multi-channel format offers to boost their business growth.”

Aaccelerate Scotland will unveil the next five SMES to take part before end-2018.