Mark Hollinshead
Credit: DB Media Services
Hero Media & Entertainment today announced the acquisition of the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards, DRAMScotland.co.uk, Scotland’s leading news platform for the licensed trade, and HotelScotland-online.co.uk the country’s dedicated online trade news magazine serving the hotel sector.
The acquisition represents another step change in Hero Media & Entertainment’s growth strategy and follows the company’s recent acquisition of KD Media, publisher and organiser of the Scottish Whisky Awards, Scottish Gin Awards, Scottish Beer Awards and the renowned InWhisky conference.
Following the launch of Hero Media and Entertainment at the start of 2026 the latest acquisition represents it’s seventh acquisition as part of a strategy to “buy and build” and create a leading UK media business.
The combined assets will form a new Hospitality Division within Hero Media & Entertainment, sitting alongside the company’s Business News & Information, Legal, and Property, Homes & Construction business units.
The enlarged hospitality portfolio creates one of Scotland’s most influential specialist online news and events businesses, serving operators, suppliers, investors and decision-makers across the hospitality, tourism, food and beverage sectors.
DRAMScotland.co.uk has been a trusted voice of the Scottish hospitality industry for almost three decades, providing news, insight and analysis for pubs, bars, restaurants and hospitality operators across the country. Hotel Scotland is the leading publication dedicated exclusively to Scotland’s hotel industry, while the “Scottish Bar & Pub Awards” have become one of the sector’s most respected annual celebrations of excellence.
As part of the transaction, founder and publisher Susan Young will remain closely involved with the business, taking on a consultancy role to support the transition and help drive future growth initiatives.
Hero Media & Entertainment plans to invest significantly in the continued development of the brands, expanding editorial coverage, enhancing digital products and growing its events portfolio.
Mark Hollinshead, Chief Executive Officer of Hero Media & Entertainment, said: “This is another transformational acquisition for Hero Media & Entertainment and a significant vote of confidence in Scotland’s hospitality sector. DRAMScotland.co.uk, HotelScotland-online.co.uk and the “Scottish Bar & Pub Awards” are highly respected brands that have earned the trust of the industry over many years.
“Combined with our recent acquisition of KD Media and its portfolio of market-leading drinks awards and events, we have created a dedicated Hospitality, Food & Drink Division that complements our established Business News & Information, Legal, and Property, Homes & Construction business units. Together, these divisions provide our business with a powerful platform serving many of Scotland’s most important industries and professional communities.”
He added: “Our ambition is to preserve the independence, quality and integrity that have made these brands successful while investing in new products, new audiences and new opportunities for the industry. We see tremendous potential for growth and are excited about what the future holds.”
Susan Young said: “After many rewarding years building DRAM Scotland, Hotel Scotland and the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards, it was important to find an organisation that understood their value to the industry and shared my commitment to independent journalism and industry engagement.
“From our earliest discussions, it was clear that Hero Media & Entertainment had both the vision and the resources to take the brands forward. I am delighted to remain involved as a consultant and look forward to supporting the next phase of growth.
“The hospitality industry has always been at the heart of everything we do, and I am excited to see these brands continue to evolve, innovate and serve the businesses and people that make Scotland’s hospitality sector so special.”
The transaction takes effect immediately. Readers, advertisers, sponsors and event partners can expect continuity across all publications and events, alongside a programme of investment and expansion that will be unveiled over the coming months.
The company said further acquisitions and launches remain under consideration as it seeks to build a leading media, information and events group.