M&G Agency Life

M&G Agency Life is back for Series 4, and we're shaking things up!We're moving to a brand-new monthly format, bringing you conversations about marketing, creativity, digital, media, events and everything happening behind the scenes at Mearns & Gill.In our first episode, host Pete McIntosh is joined by co-presenter Fraser McGillivray and M&G's events experts, Suzanne Robertson and Sarah Young, to tackle a big question: Are events still worth showing up for?With packed diaries, online meetings and virtual networking at our fingertips, what makes an event genuinely worth leaving your desk for?We explore the importance of face-to-face connections, what attendees really want, how the smallest details can make the biggest difference, and why a successful event isn't necessarily about having the biggest budget.Plus, we introduce two brand-new features! The Project Autopsy, where we take a real M&G project and explore what happened behind the scenes, and Pitch or Skip, where our guests decide which event ideas deserve the green light and which should be firmly rejected!Expect plenty of industry insight, practical advice and a few laughs along the way.Welcome to the new-look M&G Agency Life!Got a question? Send us a text message!If you’d like to hear more about anything we’ve covered just drop us line. You can find us at www.mearns-gill.com, on Instagram @MearnsGill, or check us out on Facebook or LinkedIn, just search for Mearns & Gill. 

In this special bonus episode of M&G Agency Life, we celebrate 90 years of Mearns & Gill by looking back at the people, relationships and moments that have shaped the agency since 1936.Join Aimee and Pete as they hear from Alan Mearns, some long-standing clients, Director Suzanne Robertson and Managing Director Mike Wilson. Along the way, they revisit archive adverts from decades gone by, share memorable stories and reflect on how M&G has evolved into the integrated creative agency it is today.From the agency's family beginnings to its exciting future, this is a celebration of 90 years of creativity, innovation and lasting relationships.Got a question? Send us a text message!If you’d like to hear more about anything we’ve covered just drop us line. You can find us at www.mearns-gill.com, on Instagram @MearnsGill, or check us out on Facebook or LinkedIn, just search for Mearns & Gill. 

In the final episode of M&G Agency Life: Let’s Talk Tech, Aimee and Pete tackle one of the most talked-about topics in marketing right now - AI.They’re joined by M&G’s Digital Lead Kevin and Digital Strategist Alex to cut through the noise and explore where AI actually adds value. From content creation to efficiency and idea generation, the team discuss how businesses can use AI as a tool, not a shortcut.They also look at where AI can fall short, why human input still matters, and how using it as a “sparring partner” can often get the best results.Expect honest insight, practical advice and a few experiments along the way… including Kevin putting AI to the test with a questionable French accent. Does it catch him out? You’ll have to listen to find out.A fitting end to the series, bringing together everything we’ve covered and looking at what’s next.🎧 Because AI isn’t replacing marketing… but it is changing how it’s done.Got a question? Send us a text message!If you’d like to hear more about anything we’ve covered just drop us line. You can find us at www.mearns-gill.com, on Instagram @MearnsGill, or check us out on Facebook or LinkedIn, just search for Mearns & Gill. 

In Episode 6 of M&G Agency Life: Let’s Talk Tech, Aimee and Pete dive into one of the most powerful tools in digital marketing right now, social video.They’re joined by M&G’s Content Creator Weronika and Digital Marketing Manager Ryan to break down what actually makes video content stand out in a busy feed. From the importance of the hook and clear messaging to why a strong call to action matters, the team explore how to create videos that don’t just get views, but drive results.They also discuss the balance between polished and authentic content, share practical tips for filming your own videos, and highlight the key things to focus on when it comes to framing, setup and equipment.🎧 Because in a world of endless scrolling… your video needs to earn attention.Got a question? Send us a text message!If you’d like to hear more about anything we’ve covered just drop us line. You can find us at www.mearns-gill.com, on Instagram @MearnsGill, or check us out on Facebook or LinkedIn, just search for Mearns & Gill. 

In this one, Aimee and Pete turn their attention to one of the biggest drivers of digital performance, the creative.They’re joined by M&G’s Digital Lead Kevin and Creative Lead Tom to explore what actually makes creative work. From how design and copy come together to why platform matters more than you think, the team break down what separates good-looking creative from creative that delivers results.They also discuss the balance between brand and performance, the importance of testing, and why creative should never be treated as just a finishing touch.🎧 And in case you’re wondering… yes, we did bring a didgeridoo into the studio for Tom, and yes, he can actually play it.Got a question? Send us a text message!If you’d like to hear more about anything we’ve covered just drop us line. You can find us at www.mearns-gill.com, on Instagram @MearnsGill, or check us out on Facebook or LinkedIn, just search for Mearns & Gill. 

In this one, Aimee and Pete dive into the world of digital content strategy.They’re joined by M&G’s Digital Marketing Manager, Ryan, to discuss why content needs a clear purpose, how different channels serve different roles, and how businesses can create content that actually works.From websites and social media to long-form and short-form content, the team break down how to think more strategically about what you post, where you post it, and why it matters.🎧 Less noise. More strategy. Better content.Got a question? Send us a text message!If you’d like to hear more about anything we’ve covered just drop us line. You can find us at www.mearns-gill.com, on Instagram @MearnsGill, or check us out on Facebook or LinkedIn, just search for Mearns & Gill. 

In Episode 3 of M&G Agency Life: Let’s Talk Tech, Aimee and Pete turn their attention to one of the most important (and most misunderstood) parts of any digital strategy - your website.They’re joined by M&G’s Web Lead Kirsty and Developer Steven to discuss why websites still matter, what a good website actually looks like, and why ongoing maintenance is just as important as the initial build. The team also tackle the common misconception that social media has replaced the need for a website, and they explain why that simply isn’t the case.From user experience and performance to structure and longevity, this episode breaks down what businesses should be thinking about when it comes to their website.Expect solid website advice, practical insight… and a gentle reminder that most developers are only one conversation away from quoting Lord of the Rings. Got a question? Send us a text message!If you’d like to hear more about anything we’ve covered just drop us line. You can find us at www.mearns-gill.com, on Instagram @MearnsGill, or check us out on Facebook or LinkedIn, just search for Mearns & Gill. 

Aimee and Pete are back for Episode 2 of M&G Agency Life: Let’s Talk Tech, and this time they’re tackling one of the most misunderstood parts of digital marketing, retargeting.Joined by M&G’s Digital Strategist Alex and Digital Lead Kevin, the team dig into what retargeting really is, how it works, and how to do it properly without annoying your audience or wasting budget. This episode cuts through the noise and focuses on what actually works.Expect clear explanations, practical insight and honest chat from the M&G digital team, with the usual dose of personality along the way.Less guesswork. Smarter targeting. Better results.Got a question? Send us a text message!If you’d like to hear more about anything we’ve covered just drop us line. You can find us at www.mearns-gill.com, on Instagram @MearnsGill, or check us out on Facebook or LinkedIn, just search for Mearns & Gill. 

Aimee and Pete are back with a brand new series of M&G Agency Life, called Let’s Talk Tech . They’re kicking things off with a question everyone’s heard of, but not everyone really understands… What the Heck is SEO?Joined by M&G’s Digital Strategist Alex, the team break down what SEO actually is, why it’s good and why you need it, without the jargon, buzzwords or tech waffle. They cover what SEO means in practice, how it fits into a wider digital strategy, and what businesses should realistically expect from it.Expect clear explanations, practical insight and real-world context… and, as always, a slightly ridiculous ending to round things off.Tech explained. Confusion removed. SEO finally makes sense.Got a question? Send us a text message!If you’d like to hear more about anything we’ve covered just drop us line. You can find us at www.mearns-gill.com, on Instagram @MearnsGill, or check us out on Facebook or LinkedIn, just search for Mearns & Gill. 

For the final episode of Series 2, we’re flipping the mic around… and welcoming our very own Managing Director, Mike Wilson, into the hot seat!From sweeping warehouse floors to steering multi-million-pound businesses, Mike’s career journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode, he shares how a science degree led to a drug rehabilitation centre, a family business, and eventually to owning Scotland’s longest-running marketing agency.We talk career pivots, leadership lessons, the highs and lows of business ownership, and what it really takes to build a thriving agency culture.Oh, and there’s also a seriously unhinged round of This or That you won’t want to miss…🎧 It’s honest, insightful, and the perfect way to round off Series 2.Got a question? Send us a text message!If you’d like to hear more about anything we’ve covered just drop us line. You can find us at www.mearns-gill.com, on Instagram @MearnsGill, or check us out on Facebook or LinkedIn, just search for Mearns & Gill.