EXPOTEES 2011 was the sixth annual showcase of students’ digital projects which demonstrate innovation, research and development in a wide range of computing subjects – from advanced computer technology to those centred on entertainment.

The students were asked to undertake an in-depth exploration of a chosen subject area and demonstrate the ability to research, analyse, synthesise, and creatively apply what they have studied. The project is often in an area they have gained an interest in either via a work placement or through their studies. Some students delivered projects which had external clients and require project managing to industry standard.

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ArtsBank is a major new artistic initiative, privately funded, and based on Teesside. Successful local businessman Bryan Goodall (FRSA and chairman of the Hambleton Group) has formed ArtsBank, with a £600k initial investment. ArtsBank aims to give a massive boost to the work of creative people across the north east, and beyond.

It has acquired and converted a substantial Victorian property (the old HSBC bank) in the heart of the beautiful and spectacular resort of Saltburn-by-the-Sea. The whole building has been transformed into a five-floor gallery and centre for the arts, with something for everyone. (more…)

Five Lamps’ aims to transform the lives of individuals and their families by helping them to find work, start their own business, improve their finances and improve the aspiration of young people.  All of their work is underpinned by their commitment to ‘Making People Matter’. Five Lamps are based at Thornaby in Teesside and have offices across the North East. (more…)

The Executive Centre Newcastle in association with Business Link and Inform North are delighted to invite you to a FREE Entrepreneurship Inspiration day as part of the Global Entrepreneurship week.

Global Entrepreneurship Week began life as Enterprise Week in the UK back in 2004. When news of the phenomenal success of Enterprise Week in the UK spread the globe, lots of other countries got excited at the potential of running similar initiatives in their own countries. So in 2008, Enterprise UK and the Kauffman Foundation (the world’s largest entrepreneurship foundation based in the US) founded the very first Global Entrepreneurship Week. (more…)

Business leaders’ verdict in identity debate

Jul 27 2010 by Karen McLaughlan, Evening Gazette – Read article online

We are Teesside – that’s the verdict of local business leaders when it comes to the region’s identity.

As well as a strong Teesside, the message also came that we need to be part of a strong North-east to take the region forward. Business leaders also overwhelmingly rejected the Tees Valley brand at a meeting held by the Evening Gazette and the Institute of Directors last night. (more…)

Service Network has been contacted by the BBC who are preparing the groundwork for an autumn television documentary and they have asked for your help. The programme for BBC 1 will be transmitted in September/October and will focus on the impact of public sector spending cuts on the North East and Cumbria.

As part of this, the BBC is looking to explore the supply chain between the public and private sectors. They want to find companies who have laid off staff because they have either lost contracts with the public sector or there is uncertainty over future work. The BBC would also be interested to hear from businesses that have put staff on to short-time working  /  annualised hours / reduced salaries etc., again as a result of the public sector squeeze.

The objective is to attempt to trace the impact through the supply chain from the private company (and individual) hit by the spending squeeze to the public sector organisation making the cut.   In addition, the BBC is also looking for an audience for the programme and would welcome contact from individuals who want to share their views and generally get involved.

Anyone wishing to participate should contact:

Mark Denten,
Political Correspondent,
BBC North East & Cumbria
07714 322 629
mark.denten@bbc.co.uk

My latest shout out about what’s buzzing in the Better studio.

Things are hotting up, and I don’t just mean the weather.
What a blur of activity the last couple of months have been.

We’ve attended some great events and recent conferences, and we’ve welcomed new clients on board that we’re really excited about. We’ve also been continually impressed by the commitment that our existing clients show to their customers, which we support them with through their brand and marketing activity.

Investing time and resource in new product development (NPD) was always part of our long term strategy, and this has already started to reward our efforts. Our new digital product (currently in development) is on target for our scheduled release date and we’re already having some exciting conversations with prospective clients in the B2C and B2B sector who want it as part of their brand/marketing tool box. Over the coming months we’ll be getting set for launch and I’ll be in a position to talk to you more about it.

Part of the investment in our digital product has been to recruit a new member of the team who has headed up the development. Ian Chilton, who brings to Better a decade of digital experience, has taken overall responsibility for our digital project management and is a fundamental driving force behind our NPD. Having Ian join our team is indicative of our growth over the last 18 months. He joins Senior Web Developer, Simon Scarfe to create a skilled digital team capable of delivering fantastic results for our clients and positioning Better for further growth. (more…)

As a business in the digital sector, issues of regulation or legislation have been on the agenda for many years and we too share concerns about un-reputable suppliers.

The Federation of Media Development Companies (FMDC) is a new accreditation federation aiming to stamp out cowboy web developers in the north east. According to the FMDC, “most businesses look at web developers as being cowboys and rip off merchants” and claim the good news is that “they are here to put that right with the help of quality caring development companies”.

Two Teesside business partners, who head up their own website development companies, launched the national Federation of Media Development Companies (FMDC) in an event held at Middlesbrough Football Club last night in response to alleged growing criticism that too many web developers were taking advantage of businesses.

The two men behind the The Federation of Media Development Companies (FMDC), Stuart Davies and Saheed Rashid, said that the Federation is aiming to prevent businesses from being lured into unfair contracts that leave them vulnerable to overpricing, poor service and withdrawal of services without notice. Mr Rashid founded the Middlesbrough based Com IT in 2005, and he is also a director with Mr Davies of Stockton firm LocalRus.

According to NEbusiness, local firms that have suffered at the hands of industry rogues have welcomed the Federation of Media Development Companies (FMDC), but many in the web industry have questioned the move.

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Award-winning brand agency, Better has appointed Ian Chilton as its new Head of Digital.

Ian brings to Better a decade of digital experience, the majority with e-commerce specialists Visualsoft.

Ian will work closely with Better’s customers on their web projects taking overall responsibility for digital project management, managing resource, project specification, customer support, liaison and training.

Ian says: “This is a brilliant opportunity to join a growing agency and help guide its digital output and strategy to help it compete on a national level. As Head of Digital, I’ll be heavily involved in the planning and delivery of digital strategies for both existing and new clients, bringing to the table my understanding of a complex digital landscape that is constantly evolving.” (more…)