Scotland’s first two PR agencies to certify as B-Corps are coming together, after Muckle Media acquired 100% of Spey’s shares, making it a fully owned subsidiary.

The deal, which grows the collective team at the two agencies to over 35 people, is a further step in Muckle Media’s ambitious growth plans, following the successful acquisition and integration of food, drink and hospitality communications brand, Taste Communications, in 2022, and award-winning PR agency Platform PR in 2015.

At the recent PRCA DARE Scotland Awards, Muckle Media was named best large agency and Spey was named best medium agency, so it is fitting that the two brands are coming together. Spey was set up in Speyside to deliver PR balancing profit with purpose, contributing in particular to the local community by creating jobs where there were not before. In March, Spey launched the first ever tracking tool to measure the climate impact of PR activity.

Muckle and Spey will both continue to operate separately, with client teams across consumer, corporate, spirits, hospitality and tourism continuing to serve existing clients and win new business.

Jennifer Robertson, owner and founding partner of Spey, said: “After almost a decade growing Spey, I think it is a good time for a new chapter in my career and life. It has been a privilege to build the agency working with the very best colleagues and to serve clients from every corner of the globe, with whom I have had the honour of a lifetime to work with.

“I have been thinking for some time about what I want to do with the next stage of my career, while juggling the joy and challenges of being a mother to young children and continuing to contribute to the organisations and industries that I am passionate about.

“In Nathalie, who hails from the Highlands and whose company is also a member of the B-Corp community, there is clear shared values and purpose, running a successful agency with a presence across rural and urban Scotland.

“I leave the company in great health with a highly talented team across our offices in Speyside and Edinburgh, working with the finest group of clients. I wish Nathalie and the now much bigger team the very best in this next exciting step of their journey.”

Nathalie Agnew, managing director and founder of Muckle Media, said: “Jennifer has done a fantastic job at growing a values-led, strategic communications agency, very closely aligned to the values at Muckle Media. From Muckle Media’s first office in the Highlands of Scotland, to our now Edinburgh based HQ, we have been on similar journeys, and both focused on delivering the best strategic and creative work for brands that we love, with consideration for more than just shareholder profit.

“I’m excited to continue to build upon Spey’s success, working closely with the skilled team to deliver long term results that deliver business impact. We look forward to investing further in the team and brand and building upon successes to date.”

Spey doubled its client base in 2023, with new clients including the world’s most awarded single malt, Glenfiddich; Scotland’s number one food brand, Graham’s Family Dairy; engineering company Briggs of Burton; the UK’s oldest wine and spirits merchant, Berry Bros and Rudd Spirits; and Europe’s longest established solar company, AES Solar.

Robertson will exit the business following a brief handover. Muckle Media was advised by Mark Probert at Cactus and Hybrid Legal and Spey Media was advised by AAB and Ennova Law.