When I returned home to Dorset from London eight years ago to begin life as a freelancer I was interested to see what the digital industry was like in the South West. I wanted to get an impression of its maturity and to understand which agencies I might like to work with if the opportunity arose.
On a recent train journey I was playing around on my laptop and came across the original agency list I made back in 2002. It was really interesting not only to see how the list has changed over the years, which companies are still around and how they have matured, but also to see how much the local industry as a whole has evolved and how many more businesses have sprung up over the years.
Local agency list 2002
Local agency list 2010
At the time I was surprised by how many agencies there were in the area but the same time puzzled by the lack of community surrounding it, something completely alien to me having started my career in London. It seemed to be a view shared by others too. With the aid of Wayne Medhurst at Intunet and others we came close to setting something up but alas it never materialised.
In retrospect, I doubt the industry was strong enough at the time to support a regular event and without social tools such as Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin it would have been almost impossible to spread the word.
With the fifth Meetdraw less than a month away (18th March) It’s great to see how much stronger the local industry now is. Hopefully Meetdraw will continue to grow this year and along with other events such as Bournemouth Barcamp, OpenWeb Southampton, and Dorset Design Forum it’ll help to sustain the community for the forseeable future.
If you represent a local agency and I’ve missed you off the list feel free to add a comment below 
Meetdraw 5: So Meety is being held at Bar So on Thursday 18th March from 6:30pm. Everyone is welcome whether you work for an agency, in-house team, freelance or currently studying so please join us for a drink.
About the author
Paul Seys
Paul is Head of User Experience at Redweb and one of the original founders of Meetdraw. Dorset born and bred, Paul started his career in London but soon returned home. He love's surfing, snowboarding and mountain biking. Oh and he's a closet vegetarian. Follow him on twitter @paulseys or read his blog.
Youve missed us out – Pixelfish
Dan, how could I possibly forget you fellas! Pixelfish was one of the first to be added to the 2010 list, look again.
Pixel who?
Nice work Paul.
This seems to shout out for a local agency specialising in coming up with quality agency names (-;
Compared to 2002 they’re a hell of a lot better than they used to be!
No worries Paul, just cut deep the fact you got 3 Sided in there! :p There are a crazy amount of digital companies in this area now, I’m really looking forward from when I upgrade from my 56k modem (stuck in 2002).
Interesting stuff.
Let me light my pipe (Burton-esque in style I know) and perhaps you could indulge me for a few paragraphs…
Congrats to all those who are still trading today. Brilliant. A strong sector is good for ALL of us.
Casting my mind back….I seem to remember back in the early ‘noughties’ folks were queuing up to give digital people work because there was little alternative.
There was good money to be made.
I had a read though my business books and found the following:
The law of ‘Price Elasticity’ states: ‘…the ability to charge a price premium is dictated by the availability of substitutes.’
So back then they were few alternatives.
Certainly not the ‘student-in-back-room-who’ll-knock-it-out-for-£100.00′ scenario you hear about today!
So, now the technology appears to be more accessible, clients ask – ‘what real value does the digital agency bring?
To me it feels that digital is on a par with the traditional (offline) agency scene. I.e. lots of players, increasing costs, diminishing pools of talent and little differentiation, etc. etc.
I could be wrong(?)
So the question is to all drawers of Meet is: what will it look like in 2/5/10 years time?
Very interesting point George.
Key Multimedia – Don’t forget us down in deepest Dorchester!! 3 years in and still growing!
George, good to see a different view point.
My thoughts are that it doesn’t matter how many players there are in the market, it’s all about how good you are! and what results you can achieve.
More and more organisations are wiseing up to the “you get what you pay for” and they know cutting corners in the digital landscape is a mistake.
The digital market is also no where near satuation, it’s just getting bigger!
I may be a digital optimist but I can see a world where everything is connected and the pace for change will only increase … how long before we are all wearing glasses with integrated augmented reality, that’s a whole new market that organisation will what a piece of!
With everything there will come a satiation point, but I think we are a long long way of that.
But what about when the world ends in 2012?
At least when the world ends there will be less competition.
You can add Chillifish to that list too
Dan, you just did!
Glad to see you’ve got your pipe lit George, just filling mine now… puff, puff, right then…
It’s very interesting to see so many agencies locally. There’s probably more that could be added, and if you’re listening – come along to MeetDraw5 and make yourself known.
What strikes me is how little we come up against our agency neighbours when pitching for work. So I’m guessing these local agencies all have very different clients, of different sizes, in different markets, and in different geographical locations. As such we’re probably far from saturation at present. I think the strongest area of likely trouble might come in finding, and holding on to, the best staff. We have some excellent people in our region as well as some very impressive students, and more experienced people relocating back after time in London.
We should all be working together, sharing ideas, collaborating, and supporting each other as individuals and agencies. That’s why we started Meetdraw, and that’s why we’re keen to get everyone involved
Duncan, is an agency really as good as what it does? Or is it as good as it says it is? I reckon it’s easy when you’re on this side of the fence to judge based on the former but to win new projects it’s all about your messaging to clients and the spin you put on results. There’s plenty of work done by agencies that they don’t want you to know about, and similarly there’s projects outsourced that are then PR’d the hell out of.
I don’t think clients really are wise to digital yet either. Yes they know they should be using digital channels, and yes they know their efforts can be more accurately measured against ROI using digital. But too many clients do not see what goes into a digital project. The accessibility of technology means that everyone thinks they’re an expert, and we do our industry no favours by showing clients fully worked up beautiful Photoshop concepts early on. It’s up to us to remedy this – draw, scamp, explain, etc. It’s still all about the IDEA, right George?
Damn, pipe’s gone out, looks like we’ve got plenty to talk about over a beer or two at MD5!
Damn it, we missed your original list by one year!
Very interesting to see what this list will look like in a few years time. I’d imagine that a good amount of the 2010 class will still be around. The market has matured a hell of alot in the last few years with more understanding of what goes into digital small and large businesses alike. There are also some very savvy, passionate MDs and Directors around who will maintain solid business principles to keep their companies on the right track and the competition strong!
I’m still surprised by the lack of consolidation though. Given the number of agencies there are, I think it’s only natural that some of them will merge in the coming years – it will be natural evolution I guess. Will also be interesting to see how social affects everyone. This year is big for social and it’ll be interesting to see how we all tackle it in the coming year as part of our overall offerings…
BTW – I heard that We Collaborate are no longer trading so you could take them off that list.
I agree with David, we very rarely come-up against local agency’s. We pitch for work all over country and the globe, so why would we.
As David says the area for competition is for those talented digital & creative animals. So I think we got a great opportunity with meetdraw to shout about this area and let the talent know, how many talented individuals and agencies there are here.
Where I don’t agree is it’s defiantly not all about the idea, it’s about the execution! …. how many new ideas have Apple had? …. but their execution is second to none! ………. now where do I get one of these pipe’s?
Duncan, really? No?
Even the cleverest and cleanest execution becomes meaningless without a good idea to hang it all on. Execution as the next, but vital, step:
Top idea + top execution = truly great work.
Don’t get me started on my favourite equation (everyone should have a favourite):
Creativity + Execution = Innovation’ .
Besides, there’s nothing I like more than a good execution….hmmm…..”MD6 bring your daughter to our slaughter”, might work?
I definitely agree, its the idea and the execution!
That’s want I meant in my last post, maybe not clear with all this pipe smoke blowing around. Just saying, it’s certain not just about the idea, it’s about the idea (this doen’t need to be new) and the execution! Get either wrong and you’ve failed!
Oh and I second ”MD6 bring your daughter to our slaughter”, I can’t see how it could fail!
All I got from that Duncan was “I definitely agree with execution!”
That pretty much what I’m saying although this is more accurate “I definitely agree with executing Dan Hinton!”
David.
Sounds like you’re on the Cherry shag ‘cos I like your thinking. This idea v execution story seems like it’s gaining momentum…
It’s also wired-in to many of the valid comments above.
A similar debate popped up a few years back when the first Macs came into agencies. The marketing/creative world couldn’t work out if it was democratisation/automation/liberation.
It scared a lot of people (me included). It excited many people (mainly clients)
Yes clients. Remember them? Back then we didn’t.
But they soon realised they didn’t have to put up with poxy processes that were relics of a bygone age. (Now i’m really puffing on this pipe).
Was it the doing or the thinking? We all neglected to think about the financial implications.
That’s when (in my opinion) we lost the client’s confidence.
I’m sure this wont happen again.
Point is: are we paid thinkers or technicians. A bit of both maybe?
Confused, Poole.
Not sure.
Surely its about marketing and promoting these well executed great ideas. Without either of those, the best ideas, no matter how well executed they are, will fail.
Well done breaking out of London. I was born in Bournemouth but 90% of my working life has been spent there. I shifted my main base back home in 2008 and now Im trying to shift the bulk of my work too. Its not easy for us photographers. The comments about students doing it for the love of it is magnified several fold when it comes to images and the truth is that a lot of designers make better photographs for their vision than most photographers do.
The expansion in the creative industries here is a mixed blessing but the truest word spoken was the one about quality – hardly anyone can get away with unimaginative for long now.
Hope to see you all at the Meetdraw event…
Neil
Surely whether we are paid thinkers and technicians is dependent on what our job roles are. I would be more inclined to believe that the majority (sweeping statement here) of digital agencies that focus around web are less around the ideas and more on the execution. And in a sense why not, building a website is much like building a physical object, its not so much about the idea but how it is built.
This is where I think a clear line needs to be drawn of what it is we do, are we here simply to facilitate the construction of websites for example. Or are we in fact here to provide ideas first and foremost that provide businesses with direction and focus.
I do think there is some confusion regarding the “digital sector” in general, you wouldn’t expect a backend developer to come up with ideas, rather that he is technically proficient. Whereas you wouldn’t want your mains creative ideas man getting involved with the php and javascript.
I’m too young to smoke so i’m sucking my lollipop instead.
Actually David, Ive always felt:
((Need(Talent + Idea)) / Budget) x Execution = Success Level
Hi there
What a great list you have here. Wow, all the agencies listed in one place, and I recognise quite a few of them. But we should be included in the list – LA Marketing Design, just because were located in North Dorset, doesnt mean were the poor relations!!! We started in 2001/2002, and were still going, so would be great to see us in your list.
PS Delighted you found me on Twitter, thanks
Best
Alison
LA Marketing Design
Good discussion on here folks, really insightful on what people opinions are (if I can see through all of the smoke in the room).
Richs equation does have a good ring to it. I guess a lot of what we are able to do is ultimately driven by client. From their budgets to their attitude to risk and forward thinking, if you dont align what youre offering with what they want then it doesnt matter how creative or good you are at design, it wont succeed.
The interesting thing that I find in the digital world is the marriage between the creativity and the tecnical stuff. Ultimately to achieve one thing, you need to have an appreciation for the other. Weve worked with lots of clients whove come to us with big ideas but in a lot of cases they cant be fulfilled due to a lack of understanding of what is possible. Its sometimes the ultimate chicken and egg scenario.
I was going to include a coefficient about how ‘good at computers’ the client MD’s kids were, but couldn’t quite factor it in.
Speaking of which, have you met John?
http://boagworld.com/Random/john/
Hi, just found out about MeetDraw from a retweet by @CarrieDigital. Im a Bomo-based Freelance Designer whos worked for a couple of local agencies for the last 6 or so years.
Theres a place I used to work in Christchurch (close enough to Bournemouth Id say!) called 3t Creative who Im sure would appreciate an add.
Itd be interesting to see the second list fed into Wordle alongside their staff numbers and/or annual turnover, that way you could see who the big hitters are. Id also like to see a similar list for freelancers in the area – do we outnumber agencies? How long does the average freelancer stay active for? Do they get employed by agencies or just fade away?
See you on the 18th!
Hi Toby, thanks for the comments. You’ve got some good ideas there. The list was intended more as a discussion point rather than an exhaustive list but it would be really interesting to see someone else take this on-board and create either a NMA top 100 style regional list or some sort of Wordle cloud.
I’m amazed at the number of people who have commented on this post and added more agencies (and freelancers), it really shows the strength of the local community. I’m also quite surprised at the number of people new to Meetdraw. It’s going to be great seeing all the new faces on Thursday 18th March at Bar So.
As you’re an active freelancer please feel free to spread the word if you know others that aren’t aware of the event.
Hi,
I’m the editor of NMA. We always try to include as many regional agencies as possible in our Top 100. We’ll be advertising for calls for entry from June so please fill in a form and apply!
It also goes without saying that anyone with any interesting work please drop me a line. Although we are unavoidably sometimes a bit too London focussed, we do our best not to ignore the regions.
Best,
Justin
Thanks for your comment too Justin. If you let us know in June when the forms ready we’ll be sure to push everyone to fill it out
Abacus E Media are still operating, just not in dorset. NMA top 100 I believe.
Nice list…
Just to add to the comments ‘what about us’ !
Started in 2000 and are still going – RT Media, now in wimborne… & proud to be one of very few agencies who made it through last years Sony Biz & Professional European digital creative selection, continuing our 8 year strong relationship with them.
Very interesting article, and nice list!
Just found out about Meetdraw from the page in the Dorset Business magazine/paper.
Another please add me request, We are DSM Design and started up in 1986 and still going strong. Which we think makes us one of the longest running agencies in the area.
Abacus e-Media did not cease trading in 2002? We’re still going, in the NMA top 100 every year. And still going very strong!
BlueLevel are on the list, but well be 13 years old next week – hence not a new agency
!
Happy birthday Tim! Sounds like Meetdraw5 will be the perfect birthday party for you, we even have cake (no seriously we have cake for you!). Hopefully see you on Thursday 18th March.
All jolly good work there fellas – but i have to say, i feel for the guys NOT on the list. Lying somewhere on my desk, written on a ropey old piece of paper with dog-eared corners and coffe mug stains, Ive a list that has 248 Dorset-based agencies on it…
A couple of these have yet to herald the brave new dawn and still insist on specialising in print-based design, but surely you designers can turn your hand to anything?
Can we/you (certainly not me) start another list that gives people a chance to, for want of a better word, advertise that they exist? Perhaps joining up here for instance: http://www.dorsetdesignforum.com
Great conversation going on here guys and girls – and to throw my two pennies in regarding execution – great ideas aren’t difficult to come by if you understand the requirements, constraints and channels – but without strong, focused execution it all falls flat very quickly.
Also a small but relevant point : Walker Agency (from your second graphic above) are 15 years old in 2010 so definitely in the blue, 8+ camp
Hi Paul,
Congratulations on the growing success of Meetdraw we hope to get more involved soon. Thanks for the diagrams they were very intersting particularly as I moved back into the area in 2004 so it gave me a bit of extra history!
Appius has also been around in the area since we started in 1998 so if you are doing an update it would be nice to see us in the first diagram too.
Best wishes,
Stuart Lane – Appius
Thanks stuart. We’re always looking for different agencies to get involved and with our aim to involve a different group of people in organising each event we’ll need a fresh batch for Meetdraw 6 in the summer. Its good to know Appius, along with so many other agencies, are still going strong and helping to promote the industry in and around Bournemouth.
There aren’t plans to redo the list as it was purely there to illustrate a point, however I think Matt Desmier of the Dorset Design Forum has a more definitive list and is looking to build on it in the future.
Hopefully see you at Meetdraw 5.
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