LONDON — The Shetland Space Centre, a new satellite launch site planned on the UK’s most northerly island, has appointed tech shop Centropy PR as its agency of record after a competitive pitch.

The agency, founded in 2017 by former Hotwire board director Steven George-Hilley, will handle media relations, digital campaigns and social media consultancy for the space centre.

The Shetland Space Centre, which recently received a £2m boost in private equity funding, plans to have a fully operational satellite launch facility and ground operations centre by late 2021. The site will harvest satellite data and provide a range of services to companies within the space industry.

CEO Frank Strang said: “We were seeking an energetic comms agency to help raise our profile and drive awareness of the Shetland brand within the UK space industry and beyond. The Centropy team demonstrated a proactive approach to PR, along with superb media connections and creative thinking.”

George-Hilley added: “We’re very proud to support a leading light in the UK’s fast-growing space industry. SSC has some incredibly exciting, ambitious plans which will create jobs, drive much-needed economic growth and put Britain on the map in a new age of space exploration.”

The space centre, which also works with local Scottish agency Mantra, joins clients including computer security firm Absolute Software on Centropy’s portfolio.