Category Archives: events

Scott Dawson Advertising appointed as Marketing Partner of popular East Lancashire Music Festival for third year running

Scott Dawson Advertising (SDA), the full-service advertising agency based in Burnley, have been appointed as marketing partner of The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival for the third year running, following record ticket sales and media audience. 

Offering everything from TV ads to websites, photography and social media, SDA have marketed the popular East Lancashire music festival in both 2022 and 2023.

The 2022 event saw record ticket and camping sales as over 30,000 people flocked to Colne for the August Bank Holiday weekend extravaganza, while this year’s event saw record camping ticket sales once again as tens of thousands of visitors returned for another weekend packed full of live music.

That success has seen The 2023 Great British R&B Festival nominated for Large Event of the Year in the Lancashire Tourism Awards.

SDA’s ongoing marketing and advertising of the festival, working alongside organisers Colne Town Council and Colne Blues Society, has included social media, videography, photography, interviews, banners, signage, graphic design, posters, the official programme, live social media and much more.

Nathan Cutler, Events & Facilities Officer, said: “Once again Scott Dawson have exceeded expectations with their promotional work for the iconic Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival. In term of both professionalism and communication they score top marks, as well as being reliable and a pleasure to deal with. 

“Their coverage of the festival alongside their promotion of the Festival brand was creative and captured the attention of audiences right across social media. We look forward to working again with Scott Dawson having appointed them for the third year running, which is a true testament to them and their execution of the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival campaign.”

Murray Dawson, Managing Director of Scott Dawson Advertising, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed as marketing partners for the Great British R&B Festival for the third year running.

“I’d like to think SDA work harder and deliver more than other agencies, our work for the 2024 festival started the day this year’s event ended, and we push hard for pre-ticket sales and development of the camping which was sold out last year.

“We view the horizon and create video content for the following event, so we can show those who didn’t attend what they have missed. We have also been appointed to develop a new website for the festival, with work already underway.

“We enjoy working with like minded people at Colne Town Council and Colne Blues Society, and we are proud to work for the best.”

You can learn more about Scott Dawson Advertising on their website: https://www.scottdawson.co.uk/

You can learn all about the Great British R&B Festival here: https://www.bluesfestival.co.uk/

AMAZING ACCRINGTON CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON BACK WITH A BANG IN 2022

The Amazing Accrington Christmas Lights Switch On in Accrington Town Centre has been confirmed for the evening of Thursday 24th November, proudly sponsored by amazing local businesses North Lancs Training Group (NLTG), Sundown Solutions and the Nelson and Colne College Group.

Hyndburn Borough Council ran a tender bid for the event, which was awarded to Scott Dawson Advertising to be run through Amazing Accrington. Working in conjunction with Accrington Market and Hyndburn Borough Council, plans are in place for a spectacular family friendly start to Christmas, including a music stage, live acts, interactive entertainment, a firework display and fairground rides.

Amazing Accrington are also looking to engage with all 36 local Primary Schools ahead of the return of the Christmas Light Switch On, and will be inviting them down personally to join in the show led by St Christopher’s Sixth Form choir.

The event will also provide the opportunity to celebrate local independent retailers, while charities have the chance to run a free stall outside Accrington Market Hall as last year and should contact Sameena at the Market Hall to make their application.

Murray Dawson, chair of Amazing Accrington, said: “After the huge success of last year, we are back to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy a spectacular night of fun and entertainment with the whole community. We have lots of plans in the pipeline and lots more to announce!”

Sara Britcliffe, MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden, added: “I encourage the whole of Hyndburn to turn out for this amazing event, and let’s see if we can beat last year’s numbers of over 12,000 and come together to celebrate once again!”

Cllr Miles Parkinson OBE, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, commented: “Amazing Accrington are so professional and know how to make events go with a bang, and we are so happy that they start this year’s Christmas events with Accrington’s Christmas Lights Switch On following on from last year’s amazing event.

Once again it encourages everyone to shop local – get some Christmas shopping done while you’re having fun!”

Gareth Lindsay, Managing Director at North Lancs Training Group (NLTG), said: “We love these big events, it gives us a chance to interact with the whole community. The plans sound very exciting, and we’re proud to support them!”

Heath Groves, CEO of Sundown Solutions, added: “Last year’s event was a real spectacular and we’re happy to support it again. We encourage people to come down with all the family and have some fun!”

Morag Davis, Centre Principal for Accrington & Rossendale College, commented: “We’re really looking forward to feeling the Christmas cheer, and seeing the whole of Hyndburn out in force celebrating together. The plans look fantastic!”

Further details will be announced about attractions and performers. You can watch a video of last year’s Amazing Accrington Lights Switch On event here: 

Keep an eye on the Amazing Accrington website https://www.amazingaccrington.co.uk/ and social media channels for further updates.

NELSON GEARS UP FOR THIRD ANNUAL FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL

THE third annual Nelson Food & Drink Festival is only a few months away and local businesses are keen to capitalise on last year’s success.

Boasting over 30 stalls and 9,000 visitors, last year’s festival was a resounding success. There was a vast array of food and drink stands and celebrity chef Richard Fox performing a wonderful cooking demonstration for the crowds.

This year is gearing up to be even bigger and better with the race to host a stand at the festival becoming increasingly more competitive as each year comes by.

Zahida Shamim, Events Director at Scott Dawson Advertising, who organise the event, said: “We are seeing an increased demand to host a stand at the festival every year and I would encourage anyone who would like a presence at the event to get in there early because the slots are likely to fill up pretty quick. Last year we increased footfall to the festival by a thousand people and this year we intend to go even further. It really is a fantastic place to showcase your business and products to a huge amount of people in the surrounding area, so get involved, the more the merrier.”

The event, to be held on Saturday, September 16, will be funded by Pendle Borough Council and Nelson Town Council, with Gold and Silver sponsorship coming from Pendle Rise Shopping Centre and Oddie’s Bakery respectively.

Mike Williams, Tourism Team Leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: “With the rise of the popularity of food programmes, and the importance of the food sector to the local economy, the event has not only proved a big hit but is a very important event not just to Nelson, but the whole of the Borough. It attracts thousands of visitors, top producers, and celebrity chefs.”

Zafar Ali, Chairman of Nelson Town Council, said: “Me and my colleagues are thrilled to see the Food and Drink Festival coming to Nelson again. Last year’s event was so popular I had residents, young and old, asking whether we could put the event on every month. You only had to look at the queues at the stalls to see how many food and drink enthusiasts there are in Nelson and East Lancashire – it was amazing.

My aim as Chairman of this Town Council is to keep rejuvenating our vibrant and diverse community and my colleagues try their utmost best to support Nelson residents in all walks of life. This event is a testament to that aim where thousands will come out to celebrate food and drink from different cultures.  I’m looking forward to seeing the centre of our town booming and I cannot wait for the final touches of the event to come together.”

Nelson Food & Drink Festival takes place in Nelson town centre from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, September 16. Find full details, including a downloadable brochure with the festival itinerary, at www.nelsonfoodfestival.co.uk.

Keep up to date with news about food stalls and attractions on the Nelson Food Festival Facebook page and follow @nelsonfoodfest on Twitter.

Missed last year’s event? Watch a short video of the 2016 Nelson Food & Drink Festival to whet your appetite for this year’s event.