Who we are
We are
the Union
When two things or two people get together stuff invariably happens. Great stuff more often than not. Where would Lennon be without McCartney? Or fish without chips? Unions are at the heart of what we do. Unions between media and idea. Words and action. Effectiveness and creativity. We are The Union.
Who are we? We’re The Union. An award-winning regional UK integrated marketing agency. We’ve been going for 20 years, employ over 90 staff and work for over 50 clients across the UK and internationally. We’ve won over 100 marketing effectiveness awards and well over 300 creative awards. Based in Edinburgh and Leeds, our success is down to a passion for sticking to our 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. Results that matter to clients and also get us recognition for the quality of our work. For example, we’ve been crowned Agency of the Year at the Marketing Society Star Awards four times, including in 2021.
Ultimately, it’s our work that should do the talking for us; this site has a comprehensive database of case studies. Please have a look round or get in touch for a chat.
A union between
agency & client
WHY THE UNION?
If you’re on this site the chances are that you’ve identified a need for help with your marketing, or maybe you’re unhappy with your current agency. You’re looking around, and you’d like to talk to some agencies. So why should you consider The Union?
SPECIALISTS
Just the right people for your project. That’s why The Union is organised into four specialist units with offices in Edinburgh and Leeds. We also offer clients the international resources of the world’s largest independent agency network, Worldwide Partners.
TRACK RECORD
We’ve been delivering award-winning and effective solutions for our clients for 20 years. Across different sectors, different channels and different cultures. We’re confident we can help you.
PEOPLE
Our people are acknowledged experts in their fields. From advertising, branding and online marketing to package design, experiential and just about everything else in between. We are also good to work with. We’re listeners and collaborators.
RESULTS
These days the demands on marketing teams are immense – to deliver sales, leads, brand awareness or changes in behaviour. We’re in the persuasion business. We live by the results we produce. You’ll find numerous case studies that demonstrate just how effective our work can be.
GET IN TOUCH
There’s one thing this site can’t tell you. And that’s what it’s really like to work with us. We’re proud of the passion and energy we put into helping our clients be successful. But maybe you shouldn’t take our word for it. Maybe you should ask our clients. Get in touch, and we’ll happily let them set the record straight.
Our
Clients
The clients we’re working for at the moment. If you’re looking for a new agency, you’ll be in good company here.
Our
Network
The Union is a shareholder in Worldwide Partners, one of the world’s largest networks of independent advertising and marketing communications agencies, comprised of over 60 independent agencies located in 40 countries. It’s an invaluable asset for international implementation and gathering research. Want to know what Peruvians eat for Sunday lunch? Our partners in Lima will let you know. It’s also an invaluable asset for helping our clients expand internationally. Whether it’s for Scottish Development International, VisitScotland or Seychelles Tourism, our clients know that we can deliver campaigns globally from our offices in Edinburgh and Leeds.
Worldwide Partners also allows us to exchange people as well as facts. Work placements in Helsinki, Madrid, San Francisco and New York offer new experiences and fresh perspectives. Find out more at www.worldwidepartners.com
Our
People
MEET THE MANAGEMENT
We have the skills and experience to deliver all the key marketing disciplines for clients. We are an owner-managed business, which means decisions are both immediate and effective. Our unified management structure allows integrated, through-the-line campaigns to be executed seamlessly.
Ian McAteer
Chairman, Union Group
Michael Hart
Creative Director, The Union/Union Digital
Gus Chalmers
Managing Director, Union Direct
Louise Killough
Deputy Managing Director, Union
Sheryl Thomson
Creative Director, Union Direct
Daniel Batey
Managing Director, Union Data
Paul McDonald
Deputy Creative Director
Euan Auld
Deputy Creative Director
Emma Campbell
Deputy Managing Director, Union Direct
Sarah Rowe
Group Account Director
Strength
in depth
With a staff count of over 80 we have the breadth and depth of talent to service our clients and ensure every aspect of their marketing is delivered on time, on budget and with no shortage of brilliance. Without them we’d be nothing. With them we’re everything.
Deep in the
mists of time
The Union arrived kicking and screaming in the early summer of 1996 when Facebook was but a twinkle in Mark Zuckerberg’s eye and a media schedule covered little more than outdoor and broadcast. Much has changed since then and still the landscape refuses to settle.
As the communications world evolved so did the needs of businesses and the skills we required to meet those needs. We learned quickly that success demanded an approach that was fluid, flexible and collaborative: new structures, new technology, new ways of working. So out of The Union came Union Direct, Union Digital, Union Connect and Union Data.
Today The Union is based at our office in Edinburgh (a converted church), employs over 80 people and is still run by the founding shareholders. It’s no longer 1996. But one thing hasn’t changed. Regardless of sector or discipline we still provide clients with the full range of marketing communications expertise. Consider it a union between common and sense.