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A leading Belfast based marketing consultancy, Spirit Marketing Group, is continuing its expansion plans by setting up its second new operation within the past year in Scotland.

The company’s Scottish operation will be led by Glasgow based Jon Walton, who has over 20 years experience in retail, property and marketing, and also follows Spirit’s recent expansion into North America with its New York office adding to the groups four other offices in Belfast, London, Dublin and Cork, earlier this year.

Spirit has developed a reputation as a retail marketing specialist and is responsible for managing the marketing strategies of 32 per cent of Ireland’s retail space. The company also has considerable expertise in coordinating major events and launch strategies, including large scale retail regeneration projects, such as Victoria Square, Liverpool One, Leicester Highcross and Athlone Town Centre.

Stephen Kelly, Managing Director of Spirit Marketing Group, said that winning new business both internationally and within the UK and Ireland is enabling the agency to continue its expansion despite the recession.

“Spirit’s business has expanded significantly this year through opening two new operations in New York and Scotland and also in the range of clients and sectors we provide marketing services to. The current economic climate actually presents new opportunities for agencies, such as Spirit, which have specialist experience in a particular area, to truly differentiate ourselves in new marketplaces and add value to our clients. The retail market will be our first focus in Scotland due to our extensive experience in driving sales, increasing footfall, making creative and profitable use of mall space and improving the asset values of the centres we work for. We are confident that this, in conjunction with Jon’s breadth of experience will give us a unique position within the marketplace.”

Jon Walton, who has moved from his position as Head of Commercialisation/National Marketing Manager (retail) at property agents DTZ to take up his role with Spirit, added:

“This role with Spirit will enable me to draw on my experience from all sides of the retail market, from working as a Centre Director and senior marketing roles to lettings, asset management and commercialisation. Making the marketing spend work harder is a key priority for all businesses and retail market in particular is faced with needing to differentiate and make a point of difference with customers while delivering value within restricted budgets. We can deliver top line strategies for small, medium and large centres on a competitive budget to help centres to not only attract and retain their customers but reward them for their spending.”