Jamie Burgess, senior marketing manager, Atlantic Records Lifelong music fan Jamie Burgess thinks his greatest achievement was 'presenting a new and groundbreaking strategy to my MD which resulted in Gnarls Barkley's 'Crazy' being the first ever number one single on downloads alone.' As senior marketing manager at Atlantic Records UK, Burgess has run successful campaigns for artists including Arcade Fire, Antony and the Johnsons and The Streets. 'My vision is to modify the traditional record company model to satisfy the ever-changing tastes of the British public,' he says.
Alex Hryniewicz, new media producer, Maverick Television Despite entering the world of TV less than four years ago, Alex Hryniewicz has swiftly moved from traditional programmemaking to online. He is responsible for several digital accompaniments to TV series such as Jamie at Home and Best & Worst Live, and has also development a microsite for successful Channel 4 series Embarrassing Bodies which includes videos, flash games and interactive elements. 'It's my ambition to provide more opportunities to bring together television and online within the factual genre,' Hryniewicz says.
Andrew Creighton, CEO, Vice As its CEO, Creighton has overseen the meteoric rise of sardonic style tome Vice from its small beginnings as a fanzine into a youth brand that is adored and recognised by more than 20 million people around the world. The Vice team are most proud of their new launch, vbs.tv. 'It's the best original IPTV network,' Creighton declares.
Foluke Akinlose, founder, Precious Online magazine and network In 1999 Foluke Akinlose founded the first online magazine aimed at black and Asian women to launch in the UK — Precious Online. Since launching, Precious has gone on to develop into an entrepreneurial network for women of colour and now also hosts the Precious Awards (preciousawards. com). 'I'm passionate about Precious and feel so lucky to do what I do. I get to meet some exceptional women on an almost daily basis,' says Akinlose.
Nicola Larder, drama producer, Tiger Aspect Productions Nicola Larder declares: "Producing is singularly the most thrilling experience of my life!" At Tiger Aspect she manages her own slate of original ideas, which she then produces, and has recently completed her first big show for ITV1. Mr Eleven stars Michelle Ryan and was inspired by a newspaper cutting about women in the UK marrying their 11th sexual partner. "Good ideas for me are about making it personal," Larder says. "I know I've cracked it with a scene when it makes my identical twin sister laugh out loud."
David Parkin, director and editor, thebusinessdesk.com Inspired by interviewing successful entrepreneurs as business editor of the Yorkshire Post, David Parkin went on to launch thebusinessdesk.com, the only free regional business news service in the UK. 'The media landscape is changing fast, as is the way people consume business news,' says Parkin. His website made a trading profit in its fifth month and he's already planning a roll-out to other regions.
Art Jones, film editor, Speade, London; The Gersh Agency, Los Angeles Jones's early film editing career included awardwinning videos for artists such as Coldplay, REM, and Bjork. His debut independent feature film Hard Candy featured in 2005's Sundance festival. Jones then went to Hollywood and edited the US box office hit 30 Days of Night which starred Josh Hartnett. Now back in London he is editing TV commercials and developing a UK feature.
Indy Selvarajah, comedy writer As a result of the hit pilot show Ain't It Funny Being Coloured? that Indy Selvarajah wrote and starred in as part of Channel 4's Comedy Lab, the budding comedy writer featured in Broadcast magazine and is currently developing a new show for Pett Productions alongside Jeremy Dyson. 'My ambition is to change, alter or at least ignite a debate or discussion by making programmes which have to be taken notice of,' Selvarajah says.
Declan Reddington, founder and managing director, AdConnection Six years ago, and with practically no experience, Declan Reddington founded AdConnection. Now, by virtue of his dedication and hardwork, it is a £14m media planning business with over 70 clients. This year AdConnection was chosen as a Real Business 'Hot 100' company. Reddington is planning three new specialist divisions and also has a carbon neutral company HQ underway.
Alexandre Beaulieu, general manager, Frontline Club Frontline is a London-based media and hospitality operation centred on a members' club for correspondents. Consisting of a private clubroom, restaurant and forum space — both open to the public — Frontline delivers 200 screenings and debates annually. Explains Beaulieu: 'By developing synergy between hospitality and journalism, Frontline is building expertise in members' clubs, while expanding its online news operation using its committed membership.'
Josh Spero, senior editor, Spear's WMS As senior editor at Spear's Wealth Management Survey magazine, Spero spends his working hours securing interviews and writing about everything from Russian oligarchs to what it's like to eat a £1,000-a-head meal — and relaunching the odd website. Spero describes the magazine as 'the witty lovechild of Forbes and Vanity Fair'.
Ben Stewart, communications director, Greenpeace Ben Stewart lives dangerously: running campaigns against new runways and coal-fired power stations has seen him get arrested for his protests. He's interviewed Tony Blair from the top of a power station chimney live on television and quizzed Gordon Brown about coal and aviation. 'Heathrow expansion and new coal stations were regarded as sure things before Greenpeace's intervention,' says Stewart.
Howard Gray, managing director, Reprise Music Group At 25, Howard Gray is young to call himself a music and digital entrepreneur. But Gray has been obsessed with the music business since childhood. In 2005 Gray co-founded Reprise, an artist booking agency that looks after more than 20 live acts and DJs worldwide. The company recently expanded to provide PR, marketing, publishing and brand partnership opportunities.
Jonathan Samuels, chief news correspondent, Five BskyB 'You only get one shot at life and I reckon getting paid to watch history being made around the world is a good way to spend it.' So says Five News' chief correspondent Jonathan Samuels. In the last year he has camped with British forces in the Iraqi desert, dodged the secret police in Zimbabwe, and sneaked into Burma. His use of cutting-edge technology and occasional humour means his broadcasts are always interesting and emminently watchable.
Pasa Mustafa, head of digital studios, Endemol UK Spearheading Endemol's new division, Digital Studios, means Pasa Mustafa makes new and innovative shows for digital platforms. This innovative mobile work meant Mustafa was the first person to stream reality TV to mobile phones back in 2002 with The Salon. He's worked on Get Close to ... Sugababes and Bebo's The Gap Year and often represents Endemol at TV conferences. He's now in the process of producing three more shows.
Michelle Clothier & Sam Conniff, co-founding partners, the Livity Group Michelle Clothier and business partner Sam Conniff founded the Livity Group of companies. Livity Ltd is a youth marketing agency that pairs public and private sectors in campaigns that aim to engage a youth audience. LIVE Futures is the non-profit sister business engaging young people with vocational training and work experience. The Livity Charitable Trust helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds access employment or higher education.
Misha Manson-Smith, director Misha Manson-Smith directs, but also turns his hand to producing, writing and editing. Taking over the director job of Death in Gaza after his friend, director James Miller, was tragically killed while filming, helped the film to win three Emmys and a BAFTA. Manson-Smith himself was also nominated for a BAFTA breakthrough talent award for directing High Spirits with Shirley Ghostman. He is currently making a series in LA.
