Review of 2003

February

While the start of the year got off to a flying start, the second month of the year sees the first two (of many) casualties, with Ice Commercials closing down as Picardy Media calls in the receivers and magazine Classic Concepts also closes. However, on the positive side, phone giant NTL gives Story its regional marketing brief. Mark Stephenson of The Leith Agency leaves to become MD of Stand, while John Rowley announces that integration is the way forward if agencies like The Leith are to survive. Andy Jones announces that he has joined advertising agency Barkers, while design agency Elmwood’s MD, David Robertson, leaves the company. Newton.eh6 appoints Martin Tilley as its new creative director to replace Graeme Walker. VisitScotland announces that there are 12 companies battling it out in the final ad agency shortlist.

March

The first new production company is launched this month as Micky McPherson, previously of Ice, launches Plum Films. Rebranding seems to be the fashion as HEBS announces that it is to rebrand as Health Scotland. However, it confirms that there are to be no agency changes to go along with the name change, while Digital Animations is rebranded as DA Group. Troubling times are ahead for The Glasgow Agency as it is forced to make founding partner Douglas Goodwin redundant. But good news prevails as The Leith Agency toasts success to Jim Beam and Coors Lite as the first DM business is won. In other more positive news, Faulds pitches for the Capital One account, while The Union’s Ian McAteer is appointed Scottish IPA chairman, taking over from 1576’s Mark Gorman.

April

A shock for the Scottish ad industry as a whole with the news that the Kwik Fit advertising account leaves Scotland. However, a little good news prevails with the announcement that VisitScotland is appointing incumbent agency 1576, along with WWAV and BD-Tank, for the much-fought-over account. Yet another new start-up raises its head, with former KLP staff setting up Material, taking client Tennent’s with them. In other advertising news, Coltas sells its ItsNotRocketScience to London-based new media agency Wheel, taking all of its nine staff with it, but the agency picks up the Texstyle World Home account.Tim Blott takes on the role as MD in Scotland of Newsquest, following the sale of SMG to US-based company Gannett. It is a timely appointment as the Sunday Herald scoops the Scottish Newspaper of the Year hatstand.

May

Things are all change at Faulds, as David McGlone takes charge as Dennis Chester vacates the MD position to become chairman. But the news isn’t all positive as The Drum reports that senior positions have been cut, with a rumoured 20 redundancies. In slightly more positive news, Standard Life Bank adopts a new marketing structure, which in turn means a review of its current advertising agency. Merle is appointed by MJM International to handle Ultimo, and is the envy of many an advertising agency, producing campaigns with leggy blonde (and Rod Stewart’s new girlfriend) Penny Lancaster. There is good news for the direct marketing industry. DraftWorldwide Edinburgh secures £500,000 of new business. Award-winning designer Michael Fraser returns to Scotland to join Walker as Graphic Partners strengthens team. Finally, former Score Outdoor boss Roseanne Grant joins lorry advertising firm Agripa.

June

Story picks up the whole of the Direct Holiday account, which 1576 had previously worked on, although it had been reported the company was looking to split its advertising account. The Scottish Design Awards winners are announced, with Rockstar North being proclaimed the winner of the Grand Prix. Also on the awards front 3X1 is named Scottish PR Consultancy of the Year at a gala black tie dinner. Glasgow-based agency Davidson Advertising’s directors buy the agency from founder in a bid that will see them take full control of the agency. In other industry news, agency stalwart Jim Faulds makes a quick return to the fold as Newhaven non-exec director. Nick Ramshaw leaves Pure and joins Elmwood, replacing former MD David Robertson, who left the company earlier in the year. In PR news, agency Hatch enters Aberdeen after signing a deal with Fifth Ring.

July

Gordon Black, who left the DA Group earlier in the year, launches new agency Darwin and hints at a London move. On the newspaper front, ex-Scotsman Publications marketing boss Stephen Tait joins Newsquest to head up the commercial side on the Herald as Newsquest aims to make its mark. In advertising, Chris Wallace is appointed MD at Barkers as Robert Bain becomes chief executive at the London office. Bad news for Faulds as AutoTrader moves account to Mediacom but, on a more positive note, Faulds wins Aquados. Finally, an advertising agency is sought by government body VisitScotland to sell Scotland to Europe and the US.

August

Rob Morrice announces that the company aims to expand Citigate Smarts in Ireland. In more positive advertising news, the Milk Marketing account heads into Merle as it aims to create a campaign to encourage people to buy and drink more milk. Bad news within the publishing sector as Firm Publications looks for buyers to save the four titles – Firm, Catering Scotland, Property Executive and Business and Finance. Even more bad news for the publishing sector as Trinity Mirror cuts Glasgow jobs following the appointment of new chief executive Sly Bailey. Things are looking up for some parts of the advertising industry as Newhaven wins Loch Lomond Tourist Board, while rumours abound that Zenith Media is planning to open in Scotland as part of deal with Faulds. A blow for The Union comes in the summer with news that one of it’s main clients – IF – looks to review its advertising account after a restructure. The first casualty in the advertising industry, as Strathearn ceases trading but MD John Harrison agrees to job-saving deal with TMP. More bad news for Faulds as the contract with Standard Life Bank ends while McGlone chases the ever-elusive MBO. Citigate Smarts confirms Pete Martin’s departure to New York.

September

The shock news of Mark Gorman’s intentions to leave 1576 and the Scottish ad industry reverberates throughout the industry, while things go from bad to worse with Faulds as David McGlone speaks to four agencies over the future of its media business. The Union either as The Drum reports that it looks like IF is heading south. Design agency Navyblue is appointed to rebrand Newcastle Airport. Waterside TV closes, 20 positions lost, while Scottish Designer of the Year leaves Newton.eh6 to head back to Ireland.Gary Smith leaves DraftWorldwide, deciding to spend more time with his family instead of the industry, while newly appointed Bruce Waddell finally takes up his post at the Daily Record after months of being stalled by former bosses at News International.

October

Bad news kicks off this month with rumours of another networked agency pulling out of Scotland entirely as news that KLP Euro RSCG is reviewing its Scottish structure surface. An investigation is launched by KPMG as receivers still hunt for Faulds buyer as the agency closes its doors for the final time. However, there is some good news in the face of it as Graham Milne confirms that all of Faulds’ media business will be taken on by Spirit Media and that Gill Eatwell will join his company. There is more upheaval at DraftWorldwide as SP boss Ward Mulvey quits to pursue other interests. But, on a more positive note, Hamish Allison sets up a new production company called Freakworks.

November

More advertising woe as The Glasgow Agency closes for business, with the remaining clients and MD Alan Dalgleish, along with creative director Brain Williams, moving into rivals Merle. The Union confirms that creative director Simon Scott is to take a year-long sabbatical in South Africa. The ongoing Faulds saga continues with the news that David McGlone is set to join McCann-Erickson in Manchester. The Scottish Advertising Awards sees The Union walk away with nine creative awards, while the Grand Prix goes to TBWA\LONDON for its work for client Scottish Courage. In design, Newton.eh6 announces that it has parted company with new business director Gordon Bain as the company aims to rationalise the business. Yet another networked agency prepares to pull out of Scotland as rumours circulate that DraftWorldwide MD Andy Smith is preparing to launch a new agency with former colleague Ward Mulvey. And in radio there is mixed reaction to Saga winning the Glasgow FM licence after months of deliberation from the Radio Authority.

December

Finally, as the year draws to a close, there seems to be a glimmer of hope and prospect of growth for the industry on the horizon with the rumour that Saatchi & Saatchi intends to open a base in Scotland. It is all change at WWAV Rapp Collins as MD Marco Scognamiglio announces that he is heading south to head up the London office and that former One Agency boss John Young is returning to Scotland as MD of the Scottish office. In further DM news, Andy Carolan becomes chairman of Navigator Responsive Advertising, while Yvonne Hutchison steps up to become MD.

And so that was 2003 squeezed into 1,700 words. Times have been tough, and there have been a few surprises along the way, but that’s the nature of the beast. Here’s to a busy, happy and fruitful New Year. And, as always, The Drum will be there to report on all the ups and downs that befall you all. See you in 2004 for more fun and frolics.

**************QUOTES****************

who said what to who about that?

“I did not have sexual relations with that woman.” Some quotes will go down in the annals of history as the biggest blunder ever. Here at The Drum we celebrate the last year in words, rejoicing in what some of the industry experts have told us:

“If you were to ask if Glasgow was the home of creativity, I would say no!

“If you were to ask if Glasgow was the home of creativity in Scotland, I would still say no. However, Glasgow does have an honest reputation. Certainly, we won’t shirk from calling a spade a shovel.”

Brian Crook,

managing director of The Bridge, based in Glasgow.

“The vision and faith that Sir Tom Farmer had was clear for all to see. He was the first to put the emphasis on quality of service and not just the prices, and he had recognised how strong the tagline actually was. He realised the emotional values that the advertising campaign, especially on the TV, placed on its audience and he allowed us to exploit that to maximum effect. We were really the first brand within that sector to do that and others soon copied.”

Roy Woodward,

former chief executive of Hall Advertising, on the loss of Kwik-Fit advertising in Scotland.

“Design is merely a buzzword – the word has only been used over the past thirty to forty years and has been used to replace the word art. The word art is now associated with ghastly words like leisure and recreation and sport. Great artists don’t think about making art or creating art. They are simply living.”

Richard Demarco laments the misuse of art at The Drum’s Creativity Conference.

“My only regret is that good people this week are looking for work. But good people will get work. The MBO was perfect because it allowed me to walk away, no-one lost their jobs, the people who ran the businesses could own them and the clients got continuity. The deal that I set up meant that everyone won. I am sorry about what has happened but I did all I could.”

Jim Faulds on the closure of the advertising agency he launched, Faulds.

“We have not appointed a non-exec chairman. Until we do, all it is is speculation. We’ve been talking to a number of people but we haven’t appointed anyone. We may not appoint anyone. I think he [Faulds] had a restrictive clause on his exit contract when Faulds was sold. That’s run out now and so he’s freed up. With us being the new boys on the block we are an obvious assumption, but it’s as applicable to Bond as it is to us.”

Jonathon Shinton, managing director of Newhaven on not appointing Jim Faulds.

“I have set up six agencies in my life, five of which were successful, so I know a little bit about what makes one successful.”

Jim Faulds speaking about his appointment to Newhaven as non-executive chairman.

“I was told that, although he had a penchant for pretty horsey girls, he was never ever interested in any other scene.”

Sunday Herald editor Andrew Jaspan on the Prince Charles rumours.

“We opened in London at the time of the economic downturn and this, coupled with the loss of a couple of key clients in Edinburgh, put too much strain on us. We therefore had no option but to close.

“It is a very sad day. Over the years, we’ve had some great clients and some very talented and capable staff. We’d like to thank them for their support, loyalty and commitment.”

Official statement that Faulds had indeed closed its doors for the final time.

“I have heard that rumour as well. There is some confusion, it seems. Simon is going to South Africa on holiday at Christmas and we have had a discussion that he may take a sabbatical, but nothing has been agreed. I think there are too many overactive tongues wagging out there.”

The Union’s MD Ian McAteer denies that creative director Simon Scott is leaving the ad agency.

“The concept of the sabbatical is something that we have discussed right from the very start of setting up The Union and therefore this is not a surprise to any of us here.

“We’ve known about Simon’s plans for some time, but his decision was not finalised, so we held off making the announcement.”

The Union’s Ian McAteer confirms that Simon Scott is indeed leaving the advertising agency.