Digital Strategy, Business Development and Media Consultant

A top-performing digital strategist and digital media practitioner with a strong foundation in innovation and implementation developed in increasingly senior leadership roles in the private sector and in Public Service Broadcasting. Proven talent for cultivating and managing relationships with high-profile stakeholders combined with comprehensive knowledge of the Welsh, UK and global digital landscape. Career achievements span all areas of management from content creation, platform development, business planning and innovation. A values-driven, motivational leader who successfully identifies and fosters digital capacity, process, and partnership excellence.         

Areas of Expertise

• Digital Strategy                                         • News Media and Publishing                 • Education         

• Change Programme Implementation    • Stakeholder Management                   • Social Media

• Welsh Language and Culture                 • Project Management                              • Strategic Planning and Analysis   

• Business Planning & Development        • Audience Engagement                           • Digital Health & Social Care

• Broadcast and Digital Media                  • Innovation                                                • Professional Mentoring                                                 

Key Skills

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Public Speaking – Fluent Welsh and English speaker (written & spoken) – Fully Digitally Literate

Professional Experience

Talking Wales                                                                                       December 2018 – Present

National News & Media Services for Wales

Talking Wales was created as a direct response to a lack of independent national news and media provision in Wales. This led to the launch of The National Wales in March 2021. The title ran for 18 months. It ceased publication as part of a widespread, national, cost-cutting exercise by its publisher Newsquest, despite its long-term viability. As the need for quality national news and media provision remains, Talking Wales a new multiplatform news and media cooperative is in development with a an intention to launch in during 2023.

Annwen Wales                                                                                                  July 2020 – Present         

Digital Guardian

Annwen Limited is a digital start-up developing a multilingual digital companion for the health and social care sector. The company has already successfully attracted £100,000 of funding from Innovate UK and £45,000 from the European Space Agency. The company is active in developing Welsh language voice technologies.

Melys Media                                                                                                                                       September 2016 – Present

Digital Strategy and Media Consultancy

Advising companies, institutions, and individuals on implementing digital strategies and developing business plans. From an initial consultation followed by a competitor and sector analysis. This, combined with a digital audit, leads to the development of strategic implementation and business plans. I also create digital content for various clients across multiple platforms targeting new content distribution platforms in a rapidly developing digital landscape.

Key Achievements:

I authored and implemented S4C’s first digital strategy which led to huge audience growth for its content across digital platforms.

l was Invited to provide written and verbal evidence to the Welsh Governments Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee as they prepared their report on the future of S4C, focusing on future challenges in the digital space.

l Prepared a detailed report for UWTSD on the future of the digital creative industry with a focus on developing a business development pipeline from pre-start through acceleration with a view of developing established tech companies to be located at Canolfan S4C Yr Egin. 

l  was Invited to provide verbal evidence to the DCMS independent review of S4C. The Input was in relation to future fiscal challenges and potential changes in audience behaviour in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

l Authored a paper on the commercial benefits of bilingualism and the Welsh language in response to the Welsh Government’s consultation on #Cymraeg 2050 achieving 1 million Welsh speakers. Many recommendations were adopted in the draft white paper.

l Developed the Creadigidol brand in conjunction with the URDD providing digital content creation experiences at the national Urdd Eisteddfod.

S4C                                                                                                                                               November 2012 – September 2016

Head of Digital Development

Formulated and implemented S4C’s first bespoke digital strategy. Commissioned new audience-focused 360 digital content for relevant platforms. Developed S4C’s linear output presence across digital platforms. Oversaw and managed S4C’s digital fund and advised the commercial board on new digital investments and trends. Developed new relationships with key stakeholders and strategic partners. Oversaw S4C’s integration on the BBC iPlayer.

Key Achievements:

l Grew the audience for S4C content on Facebook from 600,000 to 3,000,000 views a month.

l  Relaunched S4C’s online viewing service as a fully responsive online and mobile solution with over 50,000 installs on iOS and Android.

l Created the online content channel “Sianel PUMP” (now branded as Hansh) explicitly targeting 16 to 35-year-olds on mobile devices.

l Commissioned and invested in Master Reboot/Enaid Coll the first-ever console game to feature a Welsh language option. The game was also a commercial success.

l Developed and launched CywTiwb, an online preschool content portal offering content 24/7.

Tinopolis                                                                                                                                     February 2008 – November 2012

Head of Development, Production Executive

Responsible for developing and securing new commissions, producing and directing Tinopolis productions for broadcasters S4C and ITV across a range of genres. Overseeing S4C’s Weather Service including developing S4C’s first weather App and interactive web service.

Key Achievements:

Securing the contract for S4C’s weather service winning a competitive tendering process over the incumbent ITV.

Authoring and overseeing the successful bid for Pen8nos, S4C’s new interactive Friday night entertainment show. Acting as showrunner from its launch

Directed the multi-award winning final episode of “Ras yn Erbyn Amser” on location in the Amazon rainforest.

Education & Training

Broadcast Production Training Scheme 1988-1990 Cyfle Cyf, Caernarfon

Multi-Camera and Single Camera Directing courses – BBC, London

Final Cut Pro Editing – Training course, Cardiff

Interest & Affiliations

Chair of Games Wales – The Welsh Digital Games Trade Body 2015 – Present

Trustee – Tanio Arts – 2019 – Present

Chair Mudiad Meithrin Bridgend County – 2019 – Present

Board Member – Mudiad Meithrin – 2020 – Present

Member of Welsh Government National Digital Learning Council – August 2014 – August 2016

Business Wales – Mentor 2017 – Present

Chair of Governors/Governor – Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Calon y Cymoedd 2012 – Present

Governor – Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd 2019 – Present

Founder of “Yr Awr Gymraeg” – The Welsh language social media marketing platform

Regular contributor to Welsh Media (TV, radio and print) on Digital and Welsh Language matters

A keen runner having run two marathons, mental health advocate, Evertonian, cook and micro-scale egg producer.