Ballymena-born entrepreneur James Scullion celebrates growth as Rapid Agency expands
Pictured are the senior leadership team at Rapid. From left to right: Kathryn McClenaghan, Creative Director; James Scullion, Founder and Owner; and Kevin Doran, Managing Director.
Tuesday 27 October 2026
A creative and digital marketing agency founded by Ballymena-born entrepreneur James Scullion is expanding its team and setting its sights on further growth after securing major contracts with some of Northern Ireland’s best-known organisations.
Belfast-based Rapid Agency has won business with the Northern Ireland Assembly, PSNI and Devenish Nutrition, alongside a three-year creative services contract with Ulster University.
The latest successes come as the agency approaches its tenth year in business, marking another significant milestone for the company established by its founder and owner, James Scullion.
New leadership and investment in staff
As part of its expansion, Rapid has promoted Kevin Doran to Managing Director and appointed two new Account Managers to support its growing portfolio of clients.
The appointments are intended to strengthen the agency’s capacity to deliver creative and digital projects while pursuing further opportunities across Northern Ireland and the wider UK.
James Scullion said the developments reflected the strength of the team and the relationships the business has established.
"It's an exciting time for Rapid, and we're proud of the business and team we've built. Our growing client relationships and new opportunities highlight the creativity and talent across the agency.
"Kevin has been instrumental in that success, and his promotion to Managing Director is a natural next step. Alongside welcoming two new Account Managers, we're continuing to invest in the people who will shape Rapid's future."
Standing out in an increasingly AI-driven industry
Beyond securing new contracts, Rapid is placing greater emphasis on original creative thinking as artificial intelligence changes how businesses produce marketing content.
New Managing Director Kevin Doran believes the growing volume of AI-generated material is creating opportunities for agencies that can offer distinctive ideas and creative work.
"We've built great momentum, working with a diverse range of clients on increasingly ambitious creative projects. For us, growth is about more than winning new business, it's about building the right team and continuing to produce work that delivers for our clients.
"With the rise of AI-generated content, we're seeing more and more businesses looking for creative work that genuinely stands out. There's a growing amount of content and artwork that looks and feels the same, and clients are recognising the value of original ideas and strong creative thinking. That's where we see a real opportunity for Rapid, and it's something we're focused on as we approach our tenth year in business."
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Further growth planned across the UK
Rapid's latest client wins span both the public and private sectors, with its work covering creative services and digital marketing.
The agency plans to continue investing in its people and services while expanding its client base beyond Northern Ireland into the wider UK market.
For Ballymena-born founder James Scullion, the latest developments mark an important stage in the company's journey towards a decade in business, with a strengthened leadership team and new contracts providing a foundation for its next phase of growth.
Further information about Rapid Agency is available at rapidmarketing.co.uk
