3X1

'We're very selective about who we work with, and turn away as many projects as we take on,' insists 3X1 director Cameron Grant. 'We'll even tell a client if we haven't got the expertise and have already ended our association with one because we didn't think they would get the best results with us.' Such honesty is just one of the qualities which has attracted a string of blue-chip clients to the Glasgow-based agency, founded five years ago (on 1 January 2001, hence the name) by Grant and co-director Julie McGarvey.

3X1's directors say they have worked hard to build the company's reputation as a successful entrepreneurial business capable of delivering a superior service to hand-picked clients. Recent results prove this hard work is paying off; in the last two years the team has increased fee income by 89 per cent from pounds 381,000 in 2003 to pounds 722,000 in 2005. Had the Sarbanes Oxley-affected companies not been added, 3X1 would have secured a very creditable 140th place. Both Grant and McGarvey are former board directors of London-based Communication Group. Grant's 15 years in the industry includes consultancy experience in B2B, planning and crisis/issue management, while McGarvey spent 20 years in consumer and corporate communications, B2B, crisis management and brand development.

3X1's major clients include FirstScotRail, Highland Spring, Scottish & Newcastle, Investors in People, the Sea Fish Industry Authority and the recently created Scottish Institute of Sport Foundation. Nearly all have come through recommendation and despite many coming from the food and drink sector, the agency is also moving into the B2B and financial sectors. 'We like it that way. It's important to be diverse,' says Grant who also plans to address the growing demand for public sector PR in Scotland.

Despite being based north of the border, 3X1 maintains a UK-wide focus, and Grant insists the agency is not all parochial: 'The capital is only a train ride away.' He believes that being Scottish poses no serious problems for recruiting new business, and has cost advantages in the 3X1 can offer a slightly cheaper service than some of its London-based rivals. 'We feel that it doesn't matter where you're based, it's the service you provide that counts,' he says. Grant and McGarvey are also willing to hook up with competitors. Sometimes, 3X1 joins forces with London agencies to work on an account in tandem, offering advice on the distinct Scottish market and media. For example, it recently hooked up with Camargue on projects for private care firm Sunrise Senior Living and engineering firm Atkins.

Both agency principals are highly focused on staff development and are about to apply for Investors in People accreditation. Highlights for the agency in 2005 included work with Highland Spring to support the breast cancer campaign and sponsoring the New York marathon, which picked up significant coverage. Recently, 3X1 resurrected the Scottish Press Photography Awards for First ScotRail, which generated 500 entries. Above all though, 3X1 prides itself on its strategic capabilities: 'We're not a press release factory,' says Grant. 'We like to offer ourselves as part of the team and to sit alongside management.' Mary Dixon, MD of First ScotRail, says 3X1 is always provides solid support and that their relationship is highly productive. 'I look for good value and good representation - and that's what I get.' Since its launch, 3X1 has won more than 10 different awards, including the CIPR use of media relations award for the Easy Drinking Whisky Company.

People

• Phil Addicott
• Jennifer Butler
• Debbie Byers
• Alison Downs
• Cameron Grant
• Julie McGarvey
• Laura McGinness
• Ross Nisbet
• Sarah Ormerod
• Eve Robertson
• Gemma Smit