Celebrating our members and sharing their incredible stories for our community
About Marlene
I’m Marlene Lowe, founder of The Emerald Agency — a communications consultancy based in Aberdeen, Scotland. We specialise in crisis communications, strategic communications, and digital services for community organisations, charities, development trusts, and businesses on the fringes that tend to be forgotten. Our tagline says it all: the big agencies weren’t made for you. We are.
My background spans communications strategy, crisis response, and governance, and I’ve spent my career asking the questions others won’t. Three years into running the agency, I’m expanding our services into transformation communications — helping organisations navigate the people and communication challenges that so often derail change programmes. On the side, I’ve recently launched Ghost & Quill, Scotland’s first horror-themed online bookshop, because some dreams are too good to leave on a shelf.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve received?
From my parents: it’s your job to make yourself understood. But beyond the words, it was watching them in action — seeing them pick themselves up every time life knocked them down. They were the best examples of keeping going, no matter what.
What’s one challenge you’ve overcome in your career?
Living with chronic pain and still making it work.
What’s a skill you’re currently developing?
Swahili. I once learned that picking up a new language is one of the best ways to challenge your brain — so that’s exactly what I’m attempting. It’s humbling and brilliant in equal measure.
What would people be surprised to learn about your professional journey?
I never feel like I know enough. I’m constantly trying to improve and learn more, because I never quite feel adequate. But I’ve come to think that might actually be a strength — it means my ego never gets in the way.
What does “success” look like to you right now?
Honestly? Life is very good right now, and I feel incredibly lucky. I’ve been in business for three years, I’m bringing my father on board to broaden our service offering, and I’ve just taken on my first freelancer — who I’m training up in social media management, with the hope she’ll grow into a creative director one day. I’m also exploring putting an advisory board in place. It feels like the right kind of busy.
Quick fire
Tea or coffee? Tea — no doubt. My favourite is a Kenyan brand called Kericho Gold. I always bring some back after visiting my brother.
Early bird or night owl? Early bird. I love getting started before the world wakes up — candle lit, quiet house, day begun on my own terms.
A book, podcast or show you’d recommend? Books are life. One I’ve loved recently is a Scottish novel called The Whistling — spooky, gothic, and I devoured it.
If you weren’t doing your current job, what would you be doing? Funny you should ask — I’ve just launched Scotland’s first horror-themed online bookshop, Ghost & Quill. Owning a bookshop has always been a dream of mine. If not now, then when?
A place you love to visit? Kenya. My brother lives there, and going back feels like coming home. Being on the farm is my happy place — it’s where I can fully reset.
