The Union

What does it take to last in business? Many great agencies have come and gone, yet The Union is still here. On 1st?March this year we celebrated our 29th?birthday. So here we are, in our 30th year. I must pinch myself to check this is true, as I can’t quite believe it. And as many who are of my vintage, I’m sure ask themselves, where did all the years go? So, I’ve taken the opportunity to reflect on The Union’s journey so far - what we got right, the mistakes we learned from, and the key factors that have helped us thrive for nearly three decades. Apologies, it's a lengthy read, but I hope that those who take the time find it worthwhile.

In February's thunkpiece Courtney Hall of Union Direct explores what makes a lasting and successful brand collaboration. Who's getting it right and why? Have a read. https://lnkd.in/eMcXTAv9

I traced my mitochondrial DNA on my mother's side to the first group of humans who left Africa some 50,000 years ago, across a land bridge where the Red Sea is today. For me this news was profound. We are all human, all de facto Africans, and all have a common ancestor. And yet, at times like this, with so much conflict, war, hate, division, prejudice and violence, one wonders what we, homo sapiens, really do have in common? Our planet is in danger. The 'experts' all agree. But even with this existential threat we cannot agree. We seem unable to change. To collaborate. We've been part of a wonderful international agency network, Worldwide Partners, Inc. since 2000. But the network is so much more than business, it's a community. We meet, we talk, we share, we support each other. Our relationships span many years in many locations. We have fun together. So the news of the LA fires touched us here in Edinburgh. We have five partner agencies in the city. (The Creative Director of one agency has lost his home.) One of the agencies, Zambezi, has channeled their grief into creative energy in service of others. They produced this video for the LA Fire Department. Please take a look, it brings home the scale of the suffering. (Worldwide Partners has donated to the Fire Department.)

New Fellows Chair Announcement Ian McAteer, Founder and Chair of The Union is to Chair the Scotland based Fellows of The Marketing Society in 2025. Our Fellows are senior members and marketing leaders who have made a significant contribution to The Marketing Society and Ian’s role is to help keep them engaged and retain their active involvement. Ian takes over from Juliet Simpson who was the chair in 2024 and created two very successful events. One in partnership with WACL (women in advertising & communications leadership) with a packed room at Greyfriars Hall in Edinburgh and the other an intimate dinner with Andrew Murphy CEO of The Entertainer where we had a stimulating discussion on marketing in the boardroom. Ian is a former Barrister and has spent over 40 years in advertising and marketing in both London and Edinburgh. Starting out at Saatchi & Saatchi working on accounts including British Airways and Avis before joining Faulds then helping to launch The Union in Edinburgh. Driven by Ian’s passion for our industry, creativity and effectiveness The Union has been named The Marketing Society Star Agency of the Year four times.