PR agency opens its doors in whisky heartland

Speyside’s first full-service creative communications agency has been set up in Aberlour, the largest Scotch whisky producing region and home to some of Scotland’s top luxury brands.

In just a few months, Spey has won clients across the length and breadth of Scotland including The Malt Whisky Trail, award-winning Loch Fyne Oysters, Highland renaissance architects Dualchas and sister company Hebridean Homes, in addition to the Brown-Forman Scotch portfolio.

Spey has been named after the iconic river which flows through the region, and was founded by Jennifer Robertson, who has worked with many leading Scottish companies such as Edinburgh Gin, Harviestoun Brewery, DC Thomson and DF Concerts.

Spey now employs four full-time members of staff and with its rapid business growth is recruiting further. In addition to Ms Robertson the team includes: Stephen Hamilton, Senior Associate who is head of digital services and from Elgin, Samantha Staniforth, PR and marketing associate, who originally hails from North Carolina and moved to the region in 2014, Hayley Fraser, Junior Associate, a University of the Highlands and Islands Visual Communications Graduate who is on the Moray Council Graduate Placement Programme.

Previously Ms Robertson was head of PR for Yes Scotland, a spokesperson for the First Minister of Scotland and Associate Director at Weber Shandwick Scotland.

The HQ opening coincides with confirmation that Spey has been appointed by drinks industry giant Brown-Forman for a consumer PR brief following a competitive tender for its recently acquired Scotch whisky brands which include The BenRiach, Glenglassaugh and The GlenDronach distilleries.

The official opening of the Spey headquarters in Aberlour was performed by Jim Walker the Joint Managing Director of Walkers Shortbread which is also headquartered in Aberlour on Speyside.

Spey Founder and Managing Partner Jennifer Robertson said: “When you live in Speyside it’s easy to be inspired by one of our most beautiful regions which is home to some of Scotland’s most exciting brands and a global centre of food and drink excellence. I set up Spey and have based it in Speyside so clients have the services of a progressive communications agency in this iconic area, retaining and attracting creative talent in the area to service this important whisky producing region and beyond.

“Major food and drink regions around the world such as Rioja or Champagne are serviced by a buoyant creative sector and I wanted to kick-start that process in Speyside with a full-service communications agency based in Aberlour at the
heart of the largest single malt whisky producing area in the world.

“The Moray Speyside region is a strong spring-board for the business and twinned with a booming Scottish food and drink sector, we are excited to play a part in telling the story of some of Scotland’s iconic brands. In just a few months since we opened our office doors, we have clients stretching the length and breadth of Scotland including The Malt Whisky Trail, award-winning Loch Fyne Oysters, Highland renaissance architects Dualchas and sister company Hebridean Homes.

“We are delighted to confirm we have won the UK pitch for Brown-Forman’s Scotch portfolio which includes The BenRiach, Glenglassaugh and The GlenDronach distilleries. As huge fans of these important distilleries which are close to Elgin,
Huntly and Portsoy, this is an exciting time for the agency and we look forward to working with these historic whisky brands and helping Brown-Forman achieve their business goals through creative and strategic communications programmes.”

Jim Walker, Joint Managing Director of Walkers Shortbread said:
“Speyside is home to global exporting businesses and its surprising that it has taken so long for a creative agency to join us. I am delighted that Spey has opened its doors in Aberlour and will contribute to the promotion of local brands, companies and the region. I wish Jennifer and her talented team every success.“