The Scottish Parliament will begin a range of marketing activities in the coming months aimed at increasing knowledge about the Parliament and building people’s confidence to get involved.

Merle has been appointed to the contract to provide marketing services for the activities which will run between March and April and will see it tasked to market the ‘Moving Stories’ exhibition which travels across Scotland to local venues throughout the year and Promote the visitors programme at Holyrood - including free tours, free exhibitions such as the World Press Exhibition, the education programme and the Festival of Politics.

 The Parliament will also look at how it can maximise engagement on-line and through the use of social media – a contract which has been appointed to Whitespace.

Both agencies were appointed following a mini competition process through the Scottish Government Marketing Services framework.

Merle won against three other agencies from the framework, estimated to have a budget of around £60,000 for marketing communications, while e-engagement will cost around £10,000.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Parliament, explained: “Feedback from the public shows that they expect Parliament to tell them what is going on. We use a modest marketing communications budget to help us get information about our activities out to the public. For example, we advertised in local papers and radio last year in the communities where the ‘Moving Stories’ exhibition was located so that people knew it was on and that they could visit for free. This supplements our media relations and website promotion where necessary.”