Mills Observatory has been named a finalist in The Courier Business Awards 2025 for Brand Marketing and Social Media

A joint campaign led by Leisure & Culture Dundee, Dundee Culture, Gillian Eilidh O’Mara and Jack Arts has been recognised on a major stage as Mills Observatory has been named a finalist in the Marketing and Social Media category at the 2025 Courier Business Awards.

The shortlisting celebrates the success of a wide-ranging campaign that transformed the observatory’s 2024/25 season into the most successful in its 89-year history.

Visitor numbers surged and online engagement reached record levels, thanks to a collaboration that brought together digital storytelling, design, and city-wide promotion.

Dundee Culture played a central role in amplifying the observatory’s profile, delivering dynamic video content, guided tours, behind-the-scenes features, and regular night-sky updates to a city-wide audience.

This digital push was complemented by striking design work from Gillian Eilidh O’Mara, whose posters inspired by the observatory were showcased across Dundee through Jack Arts and later made available as prints in the observatory shop, generating essential income.

The campaign was underpinned by Leisure & Culture Dundee, whose ambition to safeguard and revitalise the UK’s only full-time public observatory was matched by innovative partnerships that captured public attention and brought thousands of new visitors to the landmark.

Mills Observatory is joined by AJ Renewables, M.ad Agency, and SaltDog Marine in the Marketing and Social Media category, with the overall category award winner being announced later this year at the Courier Business Awards ceremony.

Now in their 12th year, the Courier Business Awards celebrate organisations and individuals across Tayside, Fife, Perthshire, and Angus, recognising excellence in innovation, growth, and community impact.