Member Article

Zine eye up international opportunities with first franchise in Dubai

A North East managing director says he wants to create the biggest and best digital communications agency in the world, as his firm breaks into the Middle East.

Alan Bradley, the boss of Barnard Castle-based Zine, who specialise in web design and SEO services, are on the cusp of launching a Dubai office - part of a worldwide master franchising programme of growth.

Zine, who also operate offices in Sunderland and Leeds, have established a master franchise in the United Arab Emirates, following work with UKTI.

Derry-born Alan says demand is high for the firm’s digital services and this is just the first arm of what is set to become a world-wide brand.

Speaking to Bdaily he said: “Part of our appeal is out North East base, and we’re going to stay true to that. The master franchises will feed work to our UK offices, which will mean investment and jobs in our home country.

“Zine has grown organically, and we’ve put a lot of money back into the business. With no bank borrowings and a healthy demand, the time is right for us to go out and seize these worldwide opportunities.”

Zine’s worldwide franchisees will pay a fee to licence the brand, as well as a percentage of their earnings.

Alan says he has interest from as far afield as Hong Kong and India, and several interested parties in the Baltic states.

He added: “It’s been phenomenally well-received so far. We haven’t really kick-started the marketing of it, and already we’ve had expressions of interest from all over the world.

“That word-of-mouth dynamic is really important in our industry and it shows we are respected in other countries.

“This is our lottery ticket to international success, and it’s my ambition for Zine to be the biggest digital media agency in the world.”

Alan praised the support Zine had received from UKTI who produced an Overseas Market Introduction Report for the firm, prior to their initial visits to Dubai.

He added: “I can’t praise UKTI enough for their help as it really would have been a challenge without them. We did a lot of our own research and planning, and but their services were really useful in giving us direction.”

Zine plan to have the Dubai arm operational by the start April and say there is already 8-9 months worth of work in the pipeline.

As the firm grows Alan says his attention will be focussed on nurturing young talent, through graduate and apprenticeship positions.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .