Scottish comms firm announces merger

Clark Communications and Golley Slater Scotland, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Golley Slater Group, are to merge, it was announced today.

The deal will see ownership of Golley Slater Scotland transfer to Clark Communications, and the two teams come together to create what has been described as a “larger, enhanced agency offering to serve the Scottish market and beyond”.

The independently-owned consultancy will operate as Clark Communications from offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow, offering a range of public relations and media relations, crisis and issues management, strategic and internal communications, digital and social, design and advertising services to existing and new clients.

An alliance with Golley Slater Group will allow its UK clients to retain access to services in Scotland, and Clark Communications’ clients to connect with regional services and specialist disciplines across the UK and internationally.

Clark Communications was established by Lesley Brydon in 2012, after a long career with some of the largest PR agencies in Scotland.

Clients include the Institute of Directors and business advisers and accountants Scott-Moncrieff, who advised on the financial aspects of the deal alongside MacDonald Henderson Solicitors.

Golley Slater Scotland is a full-service marketing agency and has been established in Scotland since 2005. Current clients include Paterson Arran and the People’s Postcode Lottery, alongside a number of public sector bodies.

Lesley Brydon, founder and Managing Director of Clark Communications said: “By merging two agencies with slightly different offerings, we benefit not only from scale, but also depth of experience.

“As the boundaries between the different creative disciplines continue to blur, the diverse mix of talent we have created will serve our combined clients as their needs develop and it will boost our engagement with their audiences.

“Whether we are grounded in advertising, design, social, marketing or PR, the team are all communicators at heart, and that blend of backgrounds creates an exciting road ahead.

“Clients will experience, above all, consistency of service levels and account handling, but beyond that they will be able to take advantage of enhanced expertise across fully integrated services.”

Angela Hughes, formerly an account director with Golley Slater Scotland, assumes the role of Associate Director at Clark Communications, with responsibility for leading the Glasgow office.

Christina Kelly, former Managing Director of Golley Slater Scotland will leave the business to pursue other employment opportunities, having given notice prior to the deal being initiated. She is currently working alongside Clark Communications to ensure a seamless handover.

David Longden, chief executive of Golley Slater Group, said: “Following the news of Christina Kelly’s departure, we considered a number of options in relation to the future of our Scottish business. We were inspired by Clark Communications’ ambition and vision and felt that Lesley was the right person to take the business in a new direction. We look forward to working with Clark Communications over the coming years.”