Ad deal warning to SMEs

AROUND 90 per cent of businesses have invested in marketing which has proved to be a waste of time and money, according to a new survey.

Edinburgh-based UNIQ - which provides a business mentoring service for start-ups and small and medium enterprises - conducted an online survey, which it claimed highlighted the misplaced faith that many fledgling companies place in the power of advertising.

UNIQ co-founder, Ruth McKay, said: "We are not saying that all advertising is bad, but we are saying that any advertising rep who calls you out of the blue with a great deal should be answered with two very strong words: 'No thanks'."

Ms McKay said she knew of countless small businesses that have been seduced into paying for advertising that was inappropriate or badly targeted.