Almost a year on from Scottish PR and communications agency Hollicom entering liquidation, former creative director Heather Suttie has returned to broadcasting.
Former Trinity Mirror chief operating officer Mark Hollinshead launched the agency in 2017, alongside ex-PwC partner Steven Simpson, with headquarters on St Vincent Street in Glasgow, but by 2022 it was unable to pay its debts.
Hollinshead and Simpson ceded control and sold the business to Suttie and Rebecca Smith, who decided to begin winding it up.
Suttie, an environmental campaigner, writer and broadcaster, joined the team in 2020. She was a former commercial content lead at Reach, delivering campaigns for RBS, Worldwide Cancer Research, Aldi and the Scottish Government.
She is now back co-producing and hosting a new podcast with Glasgow Credit Union.
Under the theme Finances Made Friendly, the goal of the podcast is to provide helpful content and financial education.
Over 12 episodes, industry experts will discuss hot topics from first-time buyers, to retiring successfully, overcoming debt and tackling cyber security.
Fergus Muirhead and Anna Campbell Jones are just two of the scheduled contributors, along with representatives from Don’t Fret About Debt, Barrhead Travel and the Energy Savings Trust.
Suttie and Gillian Welsh, the former editor of Homes & Interiors Scotland magazine, set up PR agency Violet in June last year, with a focus on events and content creation.
Clients include Glasgow-based This is Milk, a consultancy in service design and digital delivery, while The Healthcare Collection and Klinikal are onboard to create video content and communications content.
Working remotely, to keep overheads to a minimum, Violet is planning future investment in 2024.
At the beginning of 2022, Suttie delivered PR for the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, before last summer bagging Violet a maiden client in entertainment production company the Gilded Balloon – at the 75th Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Welsh said: “Our shared passion for change-makers, charity and purpose-driven brands means we are 100% invested in each project.
“The switch to project work versus a long-term relationship, retainer fee-based structure ensures a win-win on time invested in working with our clients.
“In a project world, you’re paid for certain deliverables and you have to figure out how to achieve them in the best way, or you’re paid for a number of hours, but if you’re not keeping track of them, you will burn through your margin and potentially lose money on a project.
“It takes more scrutiny to make sure you’re running that well and so far so good,“ she continued, adding: “Clients prefer short-term fee-based relationships and if they’re happy we then look at a retainer model.”
Suttie continues to work on a smaller project basis, with independent and sustainable businesses such as Velo City Deliveries, Green Fulfilment and Rapscallion Soda.
She commented: “I’m fortunate to have an incredible network of people I’ve met through broadcasting, media and my love of reading, so we’ve been lucky to have been recommended to new clients without going through the arduous pitching process.
“Life is short - we want to work on projects which are fulfilling, have a positive impact and with people who lift you up.
“It’s a challenge starting a new business in the current climate, but with tight budgets to work with, it feels like we’re thriving and being even more creative in the process.”
Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.
