19
Aug

A RAFT OF NEW BOARD APPOINTMENTS AT THE UNION

The Union has promoted four of its senior management team to the boards of its businesses. This is the first time new Directors have been appointed for many years and represents a planned approach to succession, as well as a careful development the Union Group of businesses. Louise Killough, The Union’s Client Services Director, is appointed to the board of Union Advertising. Louise has been with the agency for over 16 years, and now leads the agency account management team. She also leads on client development and the agency’s financial performance. She has considerable client experience across many sectors, including Scottish Government, Quality Meat Scotland, VisitScotland, Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS), Scottish Enterprise, Reebok, Warburtons and Highland Spring.  Louise also sits on the Marketing Society Scotland committee.

17
Jun

THE FUTURE OF EVENTS

There’s no escaping that the Covid-19 global pandemic has drastically shifted how we communicate with one another on both a personal and business level. Leading brands are already addressing the challenge head on. This week’s London Fashion Week, is offering a packed virtual programme, replacing catwalks with films, podcasts, live-streamed discussions and even a virtual afterparty. While Fern Cotton’s wellness festival, Happy Place, is a great example of how we can provide a festival feel even from afar, with a whole month of events!

18
Mar

BUSINESS AS UNUSUAL FOR THE UNION

We are The Union. It’s a name that emphasises the power of the collective. If ever there was a time when we need to draw upon one another for support, help and reassurance, it’s surely now. We don’t need to tell you about the very real threat Coronavirus poses to our families, communities and businesses. But we do know that working smarter, working safer and working together will help us overcome it. In keeping with the latest government advice we will, for the safety and wellbeing of our people, clients and suppliers, be implementing a work from home policy with immediate effect. It’s a change that changes very little in our ability to deliver uninterrupted service to our clients. Video conferencing, phone and email communication lines remain open, fluid and flexible for all communications and meetings.

31
Aug

HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND ENGAGE PEOPLE

What is experiential marketing? It’s any form of marketing which targets the senses; be that sight, hearing, smell, taste or touch. An immersive interaction creates (when done well!) a unique experience between the consumer and the brand, in a relevant environment to provoke a positive and memorable impression. These ‘experiences’ can take place anywhere: at events, trade shows, in shopping malls, in the street., at exhibitions, roadshows, or pop-ups. They can be executed to support a sponsorship, a brand launch, a public sector behaviour change campaign or a competition. They often use interactive technology; such as augmented or virtual reality or gamification, to provide even deeper engagement.

25
Apr

KYLE HARDIE – OBITUARY

Kyle Hardie
7 March 1971 – 16th April 2018

Devoted husband and father, marketing agency founder and leader.

Kyle Hardie, Managing Director of The Union Advertising Agency, and founder and Managing Director of sales promotion agency Union Connect, passed away after a brave fight with cancer having achieved success in the industry he loved. The tragedy is that, at only 47 years old, he had so much more still to achieve.

7
Apr

McEWAN’S CONNECTS WITH LOYAL EXPORT DRINKERS

Union Connect have been working with the lovely people at The McEwan’s Beer Company to develop an on-pack promotion that rewards loyal McEwan’s Export drinkers. Export devotees will have the chance to win a Limited Edition McEwan’s T-shirt by inputting a unique code online. The promotion will feature on more than 400,000 promotional packs of McEwan’s Export in major stockists such as Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Tesco. McEwan’s Export is the UK’s No.2 selling premium canned ale.

24
Mar

UNION CONNECT HELPS ‘CHANGE OUR FUTURE’

Union Connect is back on the road with its thought-provoking field and partnership campaign for Food Standards Scotland (FSS), the public sector food body for Scotland. The ‘Lets Change Our Future’ campaign aims to address the forecasted 40% of adults in Scotland that could be obese by 2030 by encouraging people to reduce the number of unhealthy snacks they eat.

9
Feb

INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION THROUGH STEM

Union Connect have created a dual field and partnership campaign for the Scottish Government to increase the number of people considering a career in teaching STEM subjects in Scottish high schools. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics are crucial to Scotland’s future economic prosperity, yet many potential applicants perceive a lack of available jobs, or that alternative career options are more attractive. Yet teaching STEM subjects can be inspiring and rewarding for both teacher and pupil.

8
Nov

UNION CONNECT HELP WEIR GROUP AT ADIPEC EXHIBITION IN ABU DHABI

Union Connect, the sales promotion and field marketing arm of The Union, have designed and built the sales stand for leading Scottish pump and valve business Weir Group in Abu Dhabi at the recent ADIPEC Exhibition.

8
Oct

UNION CONNECT PICK UP STAR PUBS & BARS BRIEF

Union Connect has just helped with the rebranding and launch of the old Scottish & Newcastle Pub Company. The new ‘Star Pubs & Bars’ website and trade advertising has been created by Union Connect and Union Digital.

14
Feb

UNION CONNECT ROLL OUT ‘THE RIDERZ’ FOR CYCLING SCOTLAND

Union Connect has developed a field marketing and experiential concept for Cycling Scotland – creating a group of stunt cyclists, the ‘Riderz’, to visit Scottish primary schools encouraging young children to cycle to school.

14
May

UNION GROUP EXPANDS WITH LAUNCH OF UNION CONNECT

The Union has launched a new agency specialising in sales promotion and field marketing. Called Union Connect, the agency will be led by Kyle Hardie, who joins from Blue-Chip Marketing in Edinburgh. Previously Managing Director at Blue-Chip, Kyle is joined by Blue-Chip’s Account Director, Claire Prentice. Kyle will become a Board Director and take day-to-day responsibility for running the agency. Union Directors Ian McAteer, Andrew Lindsay and Mark Reid will also sit on the board of the new agency. Union Connect will be based at the Union’s Edinburgh offices in Inverleith.