Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open Wins Coveted Marketing Award

Stirling University Graduate and former SLGA player, Kelsey MacDonald accepted the Award on Aberdeen’s behalf

Ladies Scottish Open title sponsors, Aberdeen Asset Management won the ‘best marketing sponsorship’ award at the inaugural Scottish Women in Sports Awards on Friday night (14th November) in front of a packed audience in Scotland’s national stadium, Hampden Park.

The award recognises the marketing campaign behind the 2014 Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open presented by EventScotland that took place at Archerfield Links from 29-31 August. In what was one of most successful instalments of the event yet, Trish Johnson made history by becoming the oldest winner on Tour after clinching the title at the tender age of 48. Johnson took a six-shot lead into the final round at Archerfield Links in East Lothian and finished two strokes clear of France’s Gwladys Nocera.

Aberdeen Asset Management ensured the event was promoted to the golfing audience through an integrated marketing campaign that began in December 2013, when defending champion and Scottish star, Catriona Matthew announced she would defend her title. Working together with sports sponsorship agency, WSM Communications the 2014 campaign included outdoor advertising, media partnerships, pr stunts, social media campaigns, competitions, and celebrity endorsements along with engagement with golfing bodies such as ClubGolf, the SLGA and East Lothian Golf Coast.

Jill Maxwell, Aberdeen’s Group Head of Sponsorship and Corporate Events said, “We are really pleased to receive this accolade at the first ever Scottish Women in Sports Awards. The Ladies Scottish Open is a unique event that we are very proud of and it was great to see no fewer than nine Scottish players represented in this year’s field. With a new date, increased prize fund and a brand new venue, 2015 promises to be another great year for this prestigious tournament.”

Kelsey MacDonald, an SLGA graduate, received the award on behalf of Aberdeen Asset Management as one of nine Scottish players who participated in the 2014 tournament. Two time Champion Catriona Matthew, 2012 winner Carly Booth, Kylie Walker, Pamela Pretswell, Sally Watson, Pamela Feggans, Vikki Laing and Heather Macrae made up the Scottish contingent.

Trish Johnson made history by becoming the oldest winner on Tour after clinching the title at the tender age of 48. 

Maureen McGonigle, CEO and Founder of Scottish Women in Sport commented, “According to recent stats, women’s sport typically receives 0.4 percent of all sports sponsorship money and 7 percent of all sports media coverage across the UK. Aberdeen Asset Management are breaking the mould with an effective sponsorship model that supports Scottish golf on both the professional men’s and ladies side, but also at grassroots level. We congratulate them for their successful sponsorship of the 2014 Ladies Scottish Open.

“Going forward Scottish Women in Sport aim to work with local, national and global business to understand the corporate objectives associated with sports’ sponsorship and create an attractive proposition for investment in Scottish women’s sport and our athletes” finished Maureen.

The 2015 Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open presented by EventScotland takes place at Dundonald Links from the 24-26 July, 2015.

For more information please visit the official tournament website at www.ladiesscottishopen.com or the Facebook and Twitter page.