STV hosted the fourth STV Growth Academy as part of a series of events established to reach out to the next generation of Scottish businesses to nurture their development and support growth.
STV attracts mass audiences - reaching at least 85% of Scots on air, online and on demand. As the country’s leading digital media company, STV is committed to working with businesses to help grow the Scottish economy. Harnessing STV’s wealth of experience in media planning, creative brand development, consumer insight and driving a return on investment, small businesses were invited to attend to hear from a range of speakers who shared their knowledge on topics themed around the importance of creating compelling communications and communities to drive growth.
Over 60 delegates attended the free event at Aberdeen’s Chester Hotel. The event featured a PR workshop with Weber Shandwick’s Julie Brander and a session on social media with STV’s social and online team lead, Megan Reid, providing insights and strategies to maximise brands. Celia Hodson, founder of social enterprise, Hey Girls, and STV Growth Fund member, also hosted a session focusing on how she created a community which helped her company achieve large scale growth in just 18 months.
Julie Brander, Senior Manager, Weber Shandwick said: “The Growth Academy is an amazing opportunity for a range of businesses and the Aberdeen event really added to the series. It was great to be part of the exciting day, speaking with such inspirational and like-minded business women. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the morning with so many commenting on how useful each element was. I’m incredibly proud to be part of a fantastic means of helping local organisations.”
Hey Girls Founder, Celia Hodson, said: “Support from STV helped raise awareness of Hey Girls and sent sales skyward. The buzz we and our customers got from seeing Hey Girls period products on the TV was incredible - felt like we had grown up over night.
“I was delighted to be asked to share our story so far with STV Growth Academy attendees and hope my insights might inspire them as they continue to develop and grow their businesses.”
Pam Richardson, STV’s sales director, Scotland said: “STV works with a wide range of companies to help build their brand and connect with their consumers.
“SMEs are at the forefront of Scottish economic growth and through our series of STV Growth Academy workshops, we aim to bring together the next generation of Scottish businesses with speakers to share invaluable insights and provide a forum to support their development.”
The STV Growth Academy is free to attend, though places are limited. The next event will take place at STV’s studios in Glasgow on November 6, with further details to be announced in advance. For more information about the Growth Academy, please visit the website http://www.stvgrowthacademy.tv.
Pam Richardson, STV; Julie Brander, Weber Shandwick; Celia Hodson, Hey Girls; Megan Reid, STV