Big Partnership launches new public sector division

Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen-based PR consultancy is to target public sector clients with specialised division

Since its launch almost 10 years ago Big has worked with organisations including the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, Glasgow City Council among its clients and now its dedicated public sector unit will focus on delivering integrated communications solutions and providing best practice to both existing and new clients in the public sector. The unit will equally share its sector knowledge and communications know-how to private sector organisations seeking to engage with public bodies. Account director Kim Munro, a key player on Scottish Government campaigns and who has specialised in public sector communications since joining BIG in 2003, will spearhead the agency’s new division. BIG’s public sector expertise has been underlined by a series of new contracts wins, including providing PR support to the Scottish Government’s Know the Score drugs awareness campaign and Scotland’s new skills body, Skills Development Scotland. It has also been chosen to produce the 2008-09 annual review for economic development body Scottish Enterprise. BIG director Neil Gibson said: “We are already providing communications support to some of the most high-profile public initiatives and projects in Scotland, and as a next step, it makes sense to harness all this expertise as a compelling proposition for any organisation operating in the public sector. “Our team boasts significant strengths in areas such as transport, planning, economic development, environmental issues and health and the creation of this new division brings all of this experience under one umbrella.” Public sector division head Kim Munro said: “Through this unit, we’ll be able to bring together an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the entire public sector landscape to ensure we deliver results. “Many public sector campaigns strive to communicate with diverse and hard-to-reach audiences and we are constantly working to ensure we develop innovative techniques to ensure our campaign messages are heard by these groups.” Working alongside Kim, BIG’s team includes account director Kathryn McKee, who is already offering communications support on major transport projects including the Forth Replacement Crossing and director Zoe Corsi, who has masterminded PR campaigns for major planning applications such as the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, Donald Trump’s ambitious golf resort in the North-east of Scotland and several onshore windfarms. According to PR Week’s recently published Annual Top 150 Survey for 2009, The BIG Partnership is the largest PR agency in Scotland, with 90 staff and offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Fife. BIG was recently re-appointed to the PR roster for the Scottish Government and other leading public sector organisations for the next two years. As well as its public sector clients, it handles PR operations for major brands including the Clydesdale / Yorkshire Bank network, ScottishPower, The Famous Grouse, housebuilder Gladedale, corporate lawyer Dundas & Wilson, Kwik Fit Insurance and Celtic Football Club.