Sir Martin Sorrell, founder and chief executive of global advertising giant WPP, has voiced his support for the Scottish newsbrands industry.

Speaking to the Scottish Newspaper Society (SNS), Sir Martin says: “Advertisers in Scotland should benefit from healthy Scottish news brands just as Scotland as a whole benefits from them. Newspapers are an essential component of Scottish public life, with a value that goes far beyond the commercial.”

Sir Martin was intreviewed in a new SNS video, which also contains contributions from Martin Gilbert, chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, and Scottish Government chief marketing officer Clare Smith, and highlights information from recent audience analysis and the economic impact study carried out for the SNS last year.

SNS director John McLellan said: “We are extremely grateful to Sir Martin, Clare and Martin for supporting this project and for their vote of confidence in the Scottish industry. More than ever it is vital that misconceptions about the news industry are challenged and their important contributions will help us do just that.”

The video, featuring Scottish TV presenter Angus Purden, was showcased at the Scottish Press Awards at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow on the evening of Thursday, May 11.