Regional clusters join up to kick start national digital alliance – ‘onedigital’
South East Media Network, Bristol Media Group and Manchester Digital have formed an alliance to create a network for digital agencies and digital content developers.
The combined group, called ‘onedigital’ will, by joining forces, bring together over 5000 individual companies and approaching 6000 individuals. Onedigital will collaborate on projects across the different regions as well as explore the prospect of developing a national body that can support the digital media industries.
Mike Bennett, CEO of Bristol Media and founder of digital agency E3 stated:
“There’s not enough regional collaboration or joined up thinking between the creative networks and organisations focusing on digital media industries that exist around the UK. This is to the detriment of business and the wider industry.”
He continued:
“If the UK is to continue to be a significant and competitive digital player, as outlined in Digital Britain, we need industry led initiatives and potentially a national platform or voice such as other key industries have”
Gina Fegan, CEO of South East Media Network agrees:
“We are certainly not claiming to have all the answers but by the very nature of our three groups coming together in this way, we’ll be able share strategic knowledge from our member companies, collaborate on projects, events and joint initiatives and identify the business challenges and opportunities that exist across our three regions and the wider industry.”
She continued:
Focusing on key issues such as skills, R&D and the development and creation of original digital content will be top of our list. We’ll also provide DCMS and central government bodies a single direct link to digital business across a significant part of the UK which currently does not exist.”
Shaun Fensom, of Manchester Digital stated:
“Of course a regional focus and flavour is important but sharing with each other what is going on and how this could benefit our different members is hugely important. A lot of what we do and have learnt can be applied across the different regions to prevent us all reinventing the wheel.”
The group is in active discussions with other like-minded organisations across the UK.
