A Scottish creative agency has moved to cement its foothold in America with the appointment of a new US director.
Adam Spriggs, a US-based investor who has spearheaded business development at design agencies for 15 years, has joined as a partner of Thirst, whose client list includes Brooklyn Brewery and Ooni pizza ovens.
Thirst was founded in Glasgow in 2015 by managing director Chris Black and creative director Matt Burns.
It has since gone on to work with the likes of Brewgooder, The Botanist Gin and Innis & Gunn.
While international business has accounted for more than 40% of Thirst’s revenue since 2018, a rebrand for Brooklyn Lager and Boston Beer Company helped accelerate growth in the US, with recent client wins including canned cocktail maker Loverboy and the non-alcoholic wine Buzzkill.
Black said: “It’s our ambition to be recognised as one of the top branding agencies for food and beverage brands around the world, and a significant presence in the US is key to realising that vision.
“Adam will open new doors for us to continue building brands and campaigns that excite people, and make an impact commercially and culturally.”
Spriggs first established a relationship with Thirst through collaborating with the agency on branding and packaging work for Loverboy and Buzzkill, two companies he has invested in as founder of The Angel Group, a syndicate of industry professionals who invest in early stage consumer packaged goods brands.
Prior to joining Thirst, Adam founded the design studio Nucleus Maximus, having worked previously in product innovation at the Sterling Rice Group, and in new business development at Interact.
He commented: “Through our collaboration on Loverboy, it was immediately evident to me that Thirst could deliver everything brands need to launch like a category leader and realise their greatest commercial potential.
“Working together on Buzzkill only reaffirmed that Thirst could be one of the top design agencies in America - I’m excited that we’ve tested the waters on a partnership and I’m ready to join them on their journey.”
Thirst experienced 53% growth year-on-year during the pandemic. With its US expansion, the company is now targeting £5m turnover within three years.
The agency has begun a recruitment drive to add to its team of 25. Chris Nokes recently joined as design director.
Black added: “This investment in the US will give us the opportunity to attract talented strategists, designers and account managers on both sides of the Atlantic.”
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