In a move that is far from surprising, given their relationship with the Conservative Party, M&C Saatchi have been named as advisors on Better Together's campaign, which urges people to say “No” to Scottish independence. M&C Saatchi will be advising the campaign on its advertising, marketing and message development in the 100 days left before the vote. The appointment comes after it was revealed last month that Better Together have been talking to agencies as part of an attempt to muster support for their cause.
M&C Saatchi will be advising the Better Together campaign on its advertising, marketing and message development in the 100 days left before the vote
Better Together is a campaign first launched by Alistair Darling in 2012, with the principal purpose of keeping Scotland within the United Kingdom by campaigning for a “No” vote in this year's Scottish independence referendum. It's supported by three of the main pro-union political parties in Scotland: Scottish Labour, the Scottish Conservatives and the Scottish Lib Dems. Rob Shorthouse, Better Together's director of communications, said they hired M&C Saatchi because of the “Incredible creativity” they demonstrated throughout the pitch, and their “Passion about, and commitment to,” the cause, because “Like the majority of people in Scotland, they don’t want to see the United Kingdom broken up.” He continues by detailing the agency's, and the campaign's plans: "Over the course of the next 100 days, everyone will be focused on taking our positive message to every voter in Scotland. We can have more decisions taken here in Scotland and keep the strength, security and stability of being part of the UK. We don’t need to choose between the two."
It's worth noting that there is a history between the Conservative Party and the agency. Saatchi & Saatchi's “Labour isn't working” ad helped the party win power in 1979, and then when the Saatchi brothers (Charles and Maurice) left the company they founded to form M&C Saatchi in 1990, they worked with the Conservative party right up until 2005, when David Cameron became leader. The Conservatives hired Havas Worldwide to advise the 2010 General Election campaign, but brought in M&C Saatchi after two months, when a Havas campaign starring Cameron was ridiculed by all and sundry.
There is history between the Conservative Party and the agency. Saatchi & Saatchi's “Labour isn't working” ad helped the party win power in 1979
M&C Saatchi's global chief executive, Moray McLennan, a Scotsman himself, believes that whilst the agency have worked on numerous political campaigns in the past, that nothing would have “As deep and fundamental repercussions for the future,” as their work for Better Together. He goes on to say that the choice him fellow Scots make on the 18th of September this year will “Not just affect people in the here and now, it will impact on the lives of people in Scotland and across the UK for hundreds of years.” He also states that US President Obama hopes the UK remains united, and that M&C Saatchi will be doing everything they can “To make sure that it does.”
Official Better Together Website
Benjamin Hiorns is a freelance writer and musician from Kidderminster in the UK. He personally has no definite opinion when it comes to Scottish independence, but Edinburgh is one of his favourite cities in the world.
