Sip, savour, strategise
Shaping the future of North-East Scotland's marketing scene, the first event in The thinking louder series.
The Thinking Louder Series is a series of events that each offer different experiences, with the aim to bring marketeers in the North-East of Scotland together to learn connect and share while navigating through the industry.
Every event showcases a new speaker, an industry expert with a compelling narrative and a track record of success in different marketing areas. They will share their cutting-edge insights, emerging trends, and actionable tactics, empowering you to broaden your skill set.
In collaboration with The Marketing Society, The Thinking Louder Series transcends traditional event formats, aiming not just to inform but to inspire action and drive change. By bringing together visionary thinkers, industry leaders, and forward-looking individuals, who seek to create a community dedicated to challenging and shaping a brighter future.
The Conversation
At the first event of The Thinking Louder Series, we had the privilege of hosting Stuart Cassells, who is currently the General Manager and the Global Head of Private Client Management at The Macallan. His passion for Scotland, career journey from RHCP to Macallan.
A key focus of the discussion was Stuart Cassells' reflections on Macallan's journey in brand storytelling and its evolution into a luxury brand. Stuart shared his personal life, starting with the founding of the Red-Hot Chilli Pipers in 2002. However, his journey took a turn when he faced a hand condition that hindered his ability to play music due to misfiring neurons in the brain. This obstacle led Stuart to contemplate pursuing an MBA; despite the Red-Hot Chilli Pipers being a successful venture, he saw the potential for further growth through the MBA. Eventually, Stuart seized the opportunity to participate in the Saltire Fellowship program in Boston, which provided him with valuable insights.
After spending 8 months in Boston pursuing his MBA, Stuart embarked on a 3-month placement. While initially considering options in the oil and gas sector or the Scottish economy, he soon recognized the allure of the whisky industry. His placement took him to William Grant & Sons in London. Following this, Stuart transitioned to a position at Edrington in Perth, where he worked with Famous Grouse for another 3 months. Determined to leave a lasting impression, Stuart made sure to be the first to arrive and the last to leave, eager to showcase his dedication. His efforts paid off when the Marketing Director recognized his potential and offered him further opportunities within the company. A year ago, Stuart experienced a stroke, which left him unable to speak for a period of five months. Overcoming this significant challenge required immense resilience as he had to teach himself how to speak once more.
Forging new partnerships
Beyond the speakers, The Thinking Louder Series aims to make a community and collaboration, as attendees connect with like-minded individuals and exchange ideas. The event serves as a place for building relationships, forging new partnerships in the North-East of Scotland.
As we reflect on the success of our first event of The Thinking Louder Series, we are ready with a new lineup of speakers throughout this year.
Join us in a relaxed setting, giving you a chance to step back, think deeply and learn more about the ever-changing world of marketing with our next event in The Thinking Louder Series.
