Whisky company Whyte and Mackay has worked with the Recommended Agency Register as it looks to find an agency to handle its brand marketing activity in 2011.

The whisky company has been given a list of recommended agencies from Scotland and London and The Drum understands the selection process is now in its final stages.

The search is expected to be concluded before the end of the year.

It is thought that the company is looking to appoint an agency to create a campaign which will strengthen its position within the whisky sector and challenge competitors, rolling out across all marketing activity.

The brand currently does not work with a retained above-the-line agency, having focused on sponsorship through Hibernian FC, Premier League Darts and the Force India Formula One team, and social media.

Material Marketing still handles PR and sponsorship campaigns for the brand but it is understood that their contract is also coming to an end this month.