GLASGOW-based Pursuit Marketing, which specialises in generating sales leads for businesses, has added a new string to its bow by bringing a newly-formed creative agency into the fold.

ABC Creative has joined the Pursuit stable after its creation from the merger of UpUp Design and Bug Graphics. The merger combines a motion and visual effects design service with web and graphic design expertise.

In linking up with Pursuit, ABC joins a roster which also includes First Opinion, a multi-lingual call centre business, and Zenith Cooper, a lighting and audio visual specialist.

Asked why Pursuit, operations director Lorraine Gray explained that discussions with clients such as Microsoft had reinforced the importance of digital marketing to its business – and how best to use it to communicate with customers.

And she said the combination of UpUp and Bug has given Pursuit access to an experienced and skilled workforce.

Ms Gray said: “It’s making sure that we are offering a service to our client base which is complementary to telemarketing, but opens up other avenues and other people who we potentially would not have engaged with in the past.

“We recognise there is a definite gap within Pursuit to have a dedicated digital marketing arm of the business.”

ABC Creative, which is run as a separately trading business, boasts a high-profile client list. It recently worked on the TV advert for the Newcastle launch of Itison, the last-minute booking site.

The business, whose clients also include VisitScotland, STV, Lipton, Oxfam, the RSPB and Trump International Golf Links, is targeting turnover of between £750,000 and £800,000 in its first year on a “pro rata” basis.

Michael Amato, a former director of UpUp and now managing director of ABC, said: “For us, over the years as a small creative studio, you get caught up in a fighting fires situation where you are trying to find a balance between retaining that creative edge and the business side.

“This is a perfect opportunity to find that balance, and have that support and structure from a more traditional business.

“That gives us a great approach for positioning ourselves. I think it was a lack of experience previously in positioning that preventing us from growing. This has given us the opportunity to use all of our skill sets collectively and really push ahead.”

Asked to pinpoint the growth opportunities for ABC, Mr Amato said the merger has allowed the company to present itself more broadly as a brand management service. That means it can offer clients the “spectrum” of services, taking in TV, videography, animation and social media management, as well as more traditional print services and graphic design.

Mr Amato said:

“Throughout my time as director at UpUp Design, where we specialised in 3D product visualisation and animation, we often called upon the skills of Stephen Brown, who was the director of Bug Graphics and the last word in graphic design.

“This positive working relationship led to the discussion of forming a one-stop, full service creative agency for Glasgow that would provide everything from web design and branding through to big ticket art direction and TV production.

“From there, ABC Creative was born. We are thrilled to be included within the Pursuit Marketing family and thoroughly enjoying our new office in Minerva House.”