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KEO digital - ideas that might just change the world.
Category: Reader Stories | 31 January, 2013 10:37
Writer and broadcaster Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall was joined by leaders from Cornish enterprise, the green sector, creative industries and the local community at the VIP launch of KEO digital's new office in Newquay on Friday, Jan 25th.
The team behind River Cottage last week revealed plans to set up new world class digital hub and aim to create new skills and expertise in Cornwall.
The award-winning multi-platform producer, KEO digital, announced that it is expanding its operations beyond London and is setting up new digital innovation centre in Cornwall, reinforcing its commitment to the West Country, and creating 20 jobs in the Region.
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall said: “It’s great to be here at the launch of the new Keo digital office in Newquay. I always love coming to Cornwall, especially this fantastic part of the coast, but what makes today particularly exciting is this gathering of talented and visionary people from around the South West, and the big ideas they are going to be kicking around in the coming months and years. I wish them all the best of luck, and the best of inspiration.”
Attendees at the party included KEO digital executive director, Rob Love, Tim Smit, Founder and CEO of the Eden Project, Plymouth University's Head of External Relations, Jane Chafer and Channel 4 TV stars, Hugh's Three Hungry Boys. Food was provided by River Cottage chef, Tim Maddams.
The team behind rivercottage.net, fishfight.net, landshare.net, energyshare.com, peoplefund.it - and most recently cornwalltogether.com - has made a significant investment in Newquay, opening a new beachside office and employing a raft of predominantly Cornish media talent, creating a UK-leading pool of skilled jobs and expertise.
“As a company we’re highly committed to the West Country, and we want to create a digital production and communications hub in Cornwall where we can attract and grow local talent - and share our cutting edge digital media marketing skills,” said Rob Love, Executive Director, KEO digital.
“We’ve recently got more involved in projects in Cornwall and the South West and have found partners like Cornwall Council and Plymouth University share a similar vision and ambition for the region. We’re excited about the opportunity to get involved in the community here and make a positive difference.”
KEO digital is the multi award winning digital powerhouse behind some of the UK’s most well known broadcast work, including River Cottage and Fish Fight, made by KEOfilms.
KEO digital began after a meeting with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall led to the creation of rivercottage.net, which, eight years later, has established itself as one of the most respected and largest online food communities in the UK.
A series of high profile digital initiatives followed: Chicken Out, Landshare and then came Fish Fight. launched to support Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s BAFTA winning fish discards campaign, Fish Fight transformed the Nation’s attitude to fish - influencing the EU to review its policies and winning Broadcast Digital Awards' Best Multi-Platform Project.
More recently KEO digital projects include energyshare, the community energy platform, which has helped to deliver Cornwall Together, the new collective energy buying initiative, in partnership with Cornwall Council and the Eden Project, and now the new UK wide version of the energy buying initiative, UK Together.
In 2012 peoplefund.it launched and formed a partnership with Plymouth University, and is now, following a merge with crowdfunder.co.uk, the UK’s leading crowdfunding network.
The KEO digital core team has a track record of high growth and award-winning success. It was the original team behind Victoria Real, the UK's leading experts in interactive TV, e-commerce, and web. In March 2002 Victoria Real became the fastest growing company in the UK and chief executive Rob Love, became a finalist in the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of The Year. Their online projects, produced by Creative Director Simon Deverell, included Big Brother, UEFA and The National Lottery, winning multiple awards and worldwide accolades.
Simon Deverell said: “We’ve always set ourselves the challenge of delivering world class projects that create lasting effect and notable change. We are really excited about building on and complimenting the creative industries in Cornwall. We want to encourage talent to stay and develop in Cornwall and deliver fantastic work.”
With the move to Cornwall the KEO digital team has been strengthened by the addition of Cornish-based Communications Director, Dawn Bebe, 1997 PPA Magazine Editor of the Year and previously MD of the Hachette Emap Media Limited portfolio which included Elle, Elle Deco, New Woman, Red & Reddirect.com. Dawn was also development director of the UK edition of fashion weekly, Grazia. Dawn said: “When I decided to live in Cornwall, it was because my experience of media and technology told me that it was now possible to create brilliant work from anywhere in the world. To work next to a Cornish surf beach, helping create an exciting media business with really talented people is a fantastic opportunity for everyone at KEO digital.”
Newquay MP, Stephen Gilbert, PPS to Ed Davey, Secretary of State for Climate change said: “We are delighted to welcome KEO digital to Newquay and Cornwall. It’s very exciting to see such a talented team choose Cornwall as their base, with an ambition to create jobs and deliver world class projects. With companies like KEO digital in the County there’s no need for some of our best people to leave. They can stay and do their best work here - and help drive the Cornish economy. We wish them the very best of luck.”
KEO digital - ideas that might just change the world.