Member Article

Visionary film maker supports businesses to promote themselves

In competitive times businesses need all the support they can get to promote themselves effectively and film maker Toby Robson is now set to provide an innovative service to meet such needs.

Increasingly new technology means that marketing is becoming more sophisticated, and whereas in the past simple brochure websites were sufficient, now businesses are branching out and looking to incorporate visual effects and videos into their websites to engage more interactively with customers. It’s rare however, to be able to be able to obtain the services of a filmmaker with the talent and credits that Toby already has to his name.

Toby, who graduated from London’s Met Film School, now owns and runs a film production company ‘Two Yanks and A Brit UK’. This is the UK branch of Two Yanks and a Brit, a US based business that evolved from a transatlantic friendship meaning that Toby and his colleagues can benefit from joint venture opportunities arising on both sides of the ‘pond’.

Returning to the region and realising that he needed support himself if he was to start the UK business in the most effective way, Toby approached NBSL’s Business Advice Centre in Hexham before starting up formally. There he met with experienced Business Adviser Julia Weldon at the branch office and she worked with him under a project known as ‘Business Support in the North East’.

The project is being part financed by the European Union’s ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-13, securing £1.07m ERDF investment. Working in a consortium led by North East Enterprise Agencies Ltd (NEEAL) local Enterprise and Development Agencies in the North East have matched this ERDF investment with £1.07m of their own funds.

Together Julia and Toby worked through a review of all the issues that Toby needed to consider, such as the best legal format for his business; insurance cover; sources of funding; running a business from home and business skills development.

Julia was able to signpost Toby to several possible contacts that might be helpful in relation to networking and also in practical terms in relation to film production in the region.

Toby’s business is now building rapidly based on his previous knowledge and experience. Credits include:

- Working with BAFTA winning film makers

- A solid base in broadcast material

- Award nominated Shorts and feature length films

- A series of corporate videos for major brands

Up coming work includes:

- A slate of corporate videos

- A feature length documentary

- A slate of music videos, two of which are for major record labels and acts

Through his business ‘Two Yanks and a Brit UK’ Toby is now working regionally, nationally and will soon be working on the international stage, however Toby’s skills can still be utilised by any business, large or small, that wants to gain a competitive edge through incorporating video and film into its promotional efforts. He can be contacted via email at twoyanksandabrit@live.co.uk or info@twoyanksandabrituk.com. Go to www.twoyanksandabrituk.com for more details about the services provided.

For more information about how NBSL can help you to start a business, contact us on 01670 813322 or visit our website at www.nbsl.org.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Phil Langton .