A merger between two award-winning Dundee design and marketing agencies has created a new powerhouse for the Scottish sector, immediately sending the enlarged company into the country’s top 10 practitioners.
Avian Communications, based in Broughty Ferry, and Dudhope Terrace firm Blue Square have joined forces, with newly-minted joint entity Avian Communications Network targeting further growth throughout Scotland.
The group, which will enjoy a combined turnover of around £2.6 million and a workforce up to 30 following a period of recruitment, is also seeking out new premises in Aberdeen as it looks to expand.
It will exploit distinct skillsets in marketing, design and advertising and digital and web development through two individually-branded divisional companies, Avian Communications and Blue2 Digital.
Avian’s Scott MacCallum, who becomes managing director of the enlarged group, said his company and Blue Square operated in similar markets and had similar goals.
“Avian Communications and Blue Square had congruent skill sets and client bases,” he said.
“Avian’s core business is brand development, graphic design, marketing literature, exhibitions and advertising. Blue Square’s team is well known for its award-winning digital work.
“Both companies had plans for further growth and expansion and, with little overlap in our client bases, it seems a natural fit for us to team up as one new group with an increased offering for current and new clients.
“There are significant benefits for both companies and for both companies’ clients in the newly merged group.”
The combined firm’s client base includes the Scottish Parliament, Royal Deeside & the Cairngorms, Senergy, ADIL, Aker Qserv, Walkers Shortbread, Graham + Sibbald, Forth Ports, BEAR Scotland, Dundee City Council, Lloyds Banking Group, the Singing Kettle and Our Dynamic Earth.
Its newest client is the Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake, the host course for next year’s Open Championship.
Blue Square MD and new Avian Communications Network operations director Jim Patrick said managers were “pretty excited” about the new opportunities ahead.
He said the new group was “stronger together”, and would enjoy the scale required to pitch for bigger contracts.
“The creation of Avian gives our team the opportunity to develop further highly creative, effective work for our clients and to build a significant agency in terms of reputation, scale, areas of operation and global reach,” Mr Patrick said.
Avian Communications, a sponsor of The Courier Business Awards, was established in 1978 as Baillie Marshall Advertising, but underwent a restructure and name change in 1996.
Scott McCallum led a management buyout of the company in 2010.
Recently-filed accounts show a turnover of £1.8 million in the year to the end of August.
Blue Square, established in 1987, recorded a 20% increase in turnover to around £800,000 during the year to the end of March.
The new group will be based at Avian’s existing premises at the former Congregational Church on Broughty Ferry’s Brook Street, a conversion which opened its doors in 2008.
Its initial workforce will total 26, but recruitment is already under way for new account managers and web development personnel.