GILLIAN Kyle, the Glasgow-based artist and giftware entrepreneur, has seen a 50 per cent increase in traffic to her website following the starring role played by Tunnock's Teacakes in the Commonwealth Games' opening ceremony.
Ms Kyle, whose quirky takes on famous Scottish brands appear on tea towels, mugs and aprons, said the appearance of giant dancing teacakes on the pitch at Celtic Park has driven a "massive spike" in visitors to her site. And she is hoping the traffic boost will have translated to a rise in revenue by the time sales data becomes available at the end of the month.
Ms Kyle, a graduate of Glasgow School of Art, hailed the "classic" red and silver branding which has been used to market Tunnock's Teacakes since they first appeared in the 1950s for capturing the public's imagination. She said: "They look so great, the actual teacakes.
"The packaging and branding are so classic and timeless... and the colours are hopeful and bright. It's a very clever marketing design."
The Games boost builds on the rise in internet hits Ms Kyle enjoyed after redesigning her website last autumn.
At the time she expressed her hope the revamp would lead to a rise in exports, and yesterday the artist reported her products were now being stocked by 20 stores in Japan. Talks are also being held with distributors and retailers over moves into China and South Korea.
Ms Kyle, who has UK listings with John Lewis, Waterstones and Paperchase, said it was heartening to see Asian consumers responding to the products, having previously thought they would mainly appeal to ex-pats.
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