Young Social Entrepreneur

Wow, what a crazy weekend. On Friday night were given a genre...

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:40:00 +0100

Wow, what a crazy weekend. On Friday night were given a genre (we got Drama) a prop (a brush) a character (Alison or Alistair, a collector) and a line of dialogue (Shall we leave it like this?). We then had 48 hours to script, shoot and edit the film.

We got to work brainstorming the script with Michael Holden, who scripted Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes. We decided our film would use the ITN offices as a location and this led us to think about common situations that arise in offices. After discussing tax evasion we decided to make the film about a collection for someone’s leaving gift but with a twist.

We were really pleased with the quality of the actors involved, Angela Griffin (Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Holby City)Paul Reynolds (Press Gang Absolutely Fabulous). The quality of filming was great with our Director of Photography operating a steadicam from a Segway (you can see him in action in the atrium here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIdpp7qwuk4).

The lack of sleep was quite a challenge and Charlie Hawryliw, our editor, worked until the early hours. We dropped the film off with just five minutes to spare! The quality and professionalism of cast and crew resulted in a very high quality short film. We all had a great time and it is certainly something I would consider doing again.

The film will be screened tonight at the Prince Charles Cinema, with the award winners revealed on Thursday night. After the awards ceremony the film we be available for general viewing.

Video brand guidelines

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:19:29 +0100

Video brand guidelines:

With each new video production often comes some form of branding exercise to see how the clients print brand guidelines translate into a moving image format. This often results in videos having different styles rather than a joined up approach to support the brand.

ITRS are a fast growing software company operating in the banking sector. They are up against some very big players (such as IBM) so needed to position themselves online above their competition. Creating video brand guidelines meant that the 6 videos we (http://www.itnproductions.co.uk/corporate) produced for them align with and support the brand in the best possible way.

Now instead of the fragmented approach to video branding that many companies have, all of ITRS’s videos will continue to support their brand in a structured way.

London“Entrepreneurs - the next Generation” workshop

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 09:08:23 +0100

London“Entrepreneurs - the next Generation” workshop:

“Entrepreneurs - the next Generation”
Monday 19 September 2011, 5.30pm – 9.30pm
Venue: The Lane Suite, 12 Osborn Street, London, E1 6TE

Want to meet successful entrepreneurs and find out how they did it? Come along to CIDA’s 3rd Entrepreneurs – The Next Generation event and find out how!

Organised by CIDA in partnership with Base N Rebels Entertainment, this event will feature guest speakers providing you with the perfect opportunity to hear some of the UK’s most talented creative entrepreneurs discuss their paths to success.

Panellists include Wretch 32 [musician], Zeon Richards [Xyzee Music], Diri Creative Nerds [professional design and print company], Carla Marie William [Big Mouth Entertainment], Posty [Grime Daily] and Jason Maza [actor].

Creative Entrepreneurs participants will be pitching their developed ideas to the panel on the night in an attempt to win the £500 business start up fund!

For more information, and to book your FREE place, please visit http://entrepreneursthenextgeneration.eventbrite.com/

streetadvertisingservices: Today Gillette launched the video of...

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:02:10 +0100

streetadvertisingservices:

Today Gillette launched the video of ‘The world’s biggest shave’ created by ourselves, Street Advertising Services. It’s one of the largest grass ads ever created and it was produced using the latest robot technology combined with industrial paint spraying techniques and specially manufactured bio-degradable grass paint.

The advert was featured in The Telegraph and the Metro today.

Ever wondered how to get news coverage? At ITN Productions I...

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:51:00 +0100

Ever wondered how to get news coverage? At ITN Productions I produced a short video giving insight into what newsrooms are looking for in a video news release.

You can also read a Q&A with Duncan Gunstone, Head of Corporate at ITN Productions, giving further insight into what makes a successful VNR.

Can good business be good business?A message from Divine...

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 10:00:52 +0000

Can good business be good business?A message from Divine Chocolate’s MD Sophi Tranchell

Calling all Creative Entrepreneurs in Tower Hamlets

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:41:38 +0000

Cultural Industries Development Agency

Everyone with a creative idea or embarking on a new creative business is invited to participate in Creative Entrepreneurs!

This FREE programme devised by CIDA and supported by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets will give budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop their business concept from idea to draft business plan. Industry experts will deliver 4 days of training in Business Planning, Copyright, Marketing, and Pitching and Presenting.

One lucky participant will also walk away with £500 to help them kick-start their career!

The training programme will culminate in a networking event – Entrepreneurs the Next Generation, which will involve a panel of celebrity entrepreneurs discussing how they made their dreams become a reality.

Participants must either live or work in Tower Hamlets to be eligible for this FREE programme.

Creative Entrepreneurs will run from Monday 13 December 2010 – Thursday 16 December 2010. All training will take place at CIDA, Business Development Centre, 7-15 Greatorex Street, London E1 5NF. Entrepreneurs – the Next Generation will take place on 20 December 2010.

For more details, visit www.cida.co.uk, email cidaadmin@cida.co.uk or call 020 7247 4710.

Strategic Networking and Mapping of Key Accounts

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:34:00 +0100

A skill that I believe is often undervalued in a sales environment is the power of strategic networking within key accounts. I have found this to be the most effective tool to gather new leads with a high rate of conversion to sales. There a few simple steps that you might want to use to improve strategic networking.

Mapping your accounts

If you are managing an account, is the person you are dealing with in the best possible position to sign off work? Or are they always refering to someone else in a more senior position? If so then you may be talking to the wrong person.

Depending on the size of your client it might be helpful to approach them as if they were an industry. Carry out a full marketing analysis of the firm as there may be multiple contact points that you could be offering services to. Different parts of the company have different needs. Your current contact may only have a limited purchasing power.

To map the client try to find an organisational chart or, if you have enough time, research online to build your own. You should soon have an understanding of the areas of the business that may be interested in your services as well as who you need to be in touch with to get things moving.

Now that you have identified your key decision makers how do you get to them?

Strategic Networking

At the end of each and every client meeting ensure that you ask the three W’s.

‘What’s next?’ What is coming up next for them - this could you be your source for expanded business sales.

‘When shall we meet’ - arrange your next meeting at an appropriate interval to keep the relationship sweet.

‘Who’ - this is the most important for strategic networking - You are asking who else do they know that could benefit from your services. This can lead to them telling you about their company structure, who reports to who and where they fit in the business. You might also want to ask about the purchasing process and who has authority to sign things off. If, from the account mapping process, you know who you are targeting then ask your contact if they know the target contact and if not how best it would be to get in touch.

When your clients are used to you asking this type of questions you will be surprised at how helpful they can be in making introductions. You might even be in a position to ask them to forward your marketing emails onto relevant contacts.

Converting a sale

Remember, a referrals is far more likely to end up as a sale so it’s worth putting the effort into mapping and networking your accounts rather than going in cold.

Lastly, always look for opportunities to meet more senior staff, I often offer to come and sit in with my clients on meetings in case they need expert advice. When I am taken up on this offer I am put in a position where I have the opportunity to network with a host of key decision makers.

The story of the Youth Club and the Feature Film

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:53:00 +0100

After being invited to participate in a visit be Tower Hamlets Council Executives to our parent charities youth centre, Limehouse Youth Club, I wasn’t expecting to walk away with some key contacts for taking Gateway Media forward. However on arrival I realised that those present, as well as the council staff, were in fact directors from the BBC and Channel 4. They were there to find out more about how they could get involved in helping disadvantaged young people.

Our star apprentice-come-employee, Shaal Karim, gave a short presentation and showed them the City Gateway Promo video we produced, which they were all suitably impressed with. Then we went on to have a round table discussion with the broadcast executives speaking directly with young people about the issues they face and how they could get involved and help.

I found the day to be really encouraging and also went away with a commitment from Channel Fours Chief Information Officer to meet. At this meeting not only was the CIO there but also the head of design and new media and the project manager for the Paralympic Games. We had some really good ideas of how we can work together going forward.

Shaal also made valuable contacts and after a chat with the Head of Four Talent she put him in touch with the British Film Institute who selected him for the role of Assistant Junior Camera Operator on a feature film called ‘Rafter Rafter’. This was a 6 week paid shoot and a great opportunity for Shaal to gain valuable skills and to further his career in the industry. It’s really encouraging to see him go from trainee to apprentice, to full time member of staff and then to be involved in a feature film! Shaal is now back in the Gateway Media office working on our corporate films and we can already tell he learned so much from the experience.

The latest opportunity that has come from the visit was the positive PR we expect to gain from a Channel Four broadcast crew coming to our offices to talk about how we benefited from the broadcasters visit. I gave an interview - it’s funny to be on the other side of the camera, my only other experience was acting in an extra role as a soldier in an episode of BBC panorama whilst at uni.

Gateway Media Enews Bulletin - August Edition

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:55:00 +0100

Gateway Media Enews Bulletin - August Edition:

This edition focuses on our recent move to Canary Wharf and the relaunch of our website and blog.

Pictures from a visit to my home town of Lowestoft, the most...

Sat, 07 Aug 2010 21:04:00 +0100

Spot 'Black Shuck' the Wolf

Pictures from a visit to my home town of Lowestoft, the most Easterly point in the UK.

5 Steps to Successful Sales Campaign Preparation

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:05:00 +0100

Here is a break down of my take on how a Sales Campaign should look.

A couple of years ago the social enterprise Media company I manage had success in winning a contract with a major construction firm. Using the portfolio and contacts gained from this initial job has given us the opportunity to be a key provider of media services for the construction industry, and we now work with many of the largest construction firms in Europe.

I thought it might be useful to give insight into the way I have approached our latest construction industry sales campaign, to help others adapt it into the field they operate within.

Step One - Market Segmentation. Immerse yourself in the market, use past experience to understand who to target (both individuals and firms), gather targets contact details. Ask for support from current clients in gathering contacts for the campaign and feeding into what will make the offer most effective.

Step Two - The Offer. Make sure that what you are offering is hitting the sweet spots, see my post on ‘selling with pain’. I got in touch with some of my clients to feed into our approach to Stakeholder Engagement and Communication in the construction industry. The offer you create should be immediately attractive, so if it is complex, use a diagram to show how it works, as I have done:

Step Three - Use a Viral / Social Media element. Make it easy for your initial contacts to spread the word for you. We created a show reel that is posted around our blog and social media channels. This is easy for people to share around:

Step Four - Put all your information in one place. However you contact you targets -CRM system, 3rd party e-mail service (Mailchimp), meetings, phone calls or networking - always invest in a good landing page with a clear call to action, this is your shop front. The landing page for this campaign is personalised to let people know who they will be dealing with when they get in touch. It incorporates all of the elements needed to gain interest - the show reel, similar projects, testimonials, offer and a clear call to action. Click here to view the finished result.

Step Five - SELL!

Here is a short video we produced to promote our office move...

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:10:06 +0100

Here is a short video we produced to promote our office move from Whitechapel to the steel and concrete of Canary Wharf.

Shaal is ambitious, always willing to say YES and to put the...

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Shaal is ambitious, always willing to say YES and to put the maximum effort in. He has a lot going for him, which we recognised early on during a Media course we ran at our parent charity, City Gateway. He has gone on to perform well on a 6 month apprenticeship at Gateway Media, to eventually be taken on in full time filming and editing role. The last chapter of Shaal’s life has been full of challenges and he is about to enter into his biggest yet. Following a chance visit by senior managers of Channel 4 and ITV at our Limehouse Youth Club, Shaal has now been chosen by Four Talent for a position as Junior Camera Assistant on feature film ‘Rafter Rafter’, directed by David Higgs, who was Director of photography from ‘RocknRolla’. So although Shaal will not be with us for the next 5 weeks, we are proud that he has come so far and will be flying the City Gateway and Gateway Media flag from inside the British Film Industry. Shaal, we salute you!

London Evening Standard Article on City Gateway, our parent charity

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:15:00 +0100

London Evening Standard Article on City Gateway, our parent charity:

The media company I manage, Gateway Media, is part of a larger youth training charity called City Gateway. All the profits we make go into this charity, which gives us the social enterprise status we enjoy. This article in the Evening Standard shows insight into the background of Nabil Ahmed, a new apprentice at City Gateway.

While giving sales training to some of the wider City Gateway staff last week, I had my first proper opportunity to spend time with Nabil. At the time I didn’t know his background, only that he was ambitious and keen to learn. He picked up on the training well and is putting his first sales campaign together now, which I am looking forward to helping him deliver soon. Nabil is an inspiration to me, of what can be overcome and why social enterprise and charities like City Gateway are so important.

Photo

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 04:33:00 +0100

LinkedIn as a lead generation tool

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:02:57 +0100

Fresh back from a visit to the Marketing Week Live conference, I decided that I should comment on the use of LinkedIn as an increasingly important business tool with key benefits for small business.

Kevin Eyres, managing director of LinkedIn, gave a talk about LinkedIn’s use as a tool for expert groups in the medical field. I was lucky enough to grab a word with him afterward to discuss an idea I have for using LinkedIn as a way of supporting gap year students and people on sabbaticals, which he seemed interested in.

An area that Kevin didn’t cover in much detail was lead generation. Aside from LinkedIn being a good place for an online portfolio, career progression, recommendations and keeping in touch with other professionals and clients, I have found it to also be a effective way to create leads. Having had some success creating business through Twitter I gave it a go using the following method.

Step 1

Establish yourself - Complete your profile to 100%, it is not a CV so only put information that is necessary for those you want to engage with and get recommendations from colleagues and clients.

Step 2

Join a group in the area most appropriate to your business. If there isn’t a group for you then MAKE ONE! I created the Young Social Entrepreneur Group which today gained it’s 200th member.

Step 3

Get involved. You have heard it before and you will hear it again - don’t sell, just offer advice, guidence and help to those with questions. This is how you will generate leads. You can do it through the groups you join or lead, through your own status updates and through the questions and answers section of the site.

In my experience these steps can successfully generate high quality qualified leads and if you don’t manage the same success you will still have created an effective tool for your personal career progression.

Next Monday will see us move into our new Canary Wharf based...

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:58:00 +0100

Next Monday will see us move into our new Canary Wharf based office, it’s the small red building nestled in front of one Canada Square. This is an expanded office space based on the doorsteps of some of the largest corporations in the world. I hope to capitalize on this new location but first we need to let them know we have arrived; we are working on a Canary Wharf specific promotional video and have plans for a launch event.

For the whole of January I was visiting Kenya to explore a...

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

For the whole of January I was visiting Kenya to explore a country that I was born in but I had never properly visited. Here are a some of my landscape images to give an idea of how amazing the place is. I will be adding other categories of shots over the coming weeks including a social enterprise I visited.

Having met a PIP Training employee at a sales training event...

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:41:00 +0100

Having met a PIP Training employee at a sales training event Gateway Media were asked to produce a promotional video to explain what the company does. This has already proved successful and I was invited by PIP founder, Ricky Plumb, to attend his BNI Networking meeting in Ilford where it was shown. Here is what Ricky had to say about us:

They not only produced a video of high quality, they also provided good support and advice at every stage of the consultation and production process. They are a company that you can trust to deliver and who offer great value for the service they provide, a service which will help our business move forward.