Jeff Coghlan is the creative force and digital visionary behind award-winning branded entertainment specialists, Matmi (www.matmi.com).

From a childhood fascination with ‘computers’ and subsequent qualifications as a systems analyst, Jeff’s fate in digital marketing was finally sealed with the arrival of the Internet.

“I couldn’t understand why people were putting such boring text-based websites together when, to me, the Internet was an infinite number of TV-like channels operating 24/7 all around the world. I decided to fight the boredom and released an online game to promote Matmi’s first website. That’s when everything changed,” Jeff explains.

Indeed it did – for company, creator and the rest of the planet. Before viral marketing had a name, “Monster Poolside Sumo” had quickly gone global, racking up millions of plays (and it’s still out there….). Jeff realised that engaging consumers with discreetly branded online games was highly influential – and much more powerful than traditional online advertising.

Success breeds success

Since 2001, Matmi has gone on to prove it theory time and again with brands including United Airlines, EMI Music (Gorillaz, Iron Maiden), Philips, J Nicholls (Vimto), ASDA, ITV and Parlophone (Lily Allen). Campaigns have attracted decades worth of brand exposure worldwide – and Matmi has the stats to prove it.

• Vimto Soft Drinks: 32 years’ worth.
• Cancer Research: 50 years’ worth.
• Iron Maiden: 62 years’ worth.
• Philips Sonicare: an astounding 163 years’ worth of online airtime – and the demographic for this campaign is 5 – 8 year old children learning how to brush their teeth!

As a digital strategist, Jeff’s opinions – not always popular or mainstream – are sought by clients, major advertising agencies and happily, his peers too. Speaker engagements include The Develop Conference (2009, 2010), Elmwood’s Digital Picnic (2008), Brandhouse Digital Sparks (2010) and most recently a roundtable with Brand-e.biz (the branded entertainment specialist site) on “Why Brands Play Games”.

Find both company and creator online at www.matmi.com and its blog, and on twitter (@Matmi).

For more information please contact:
Michelle Hill
+44 (0)1625 560771
michelle@matmi.com

According to analysis compiled by the Social Media Café, Manchester has the largest number of Twitter users in the UK after London and is third in Europe behind London and Paris.

London actually topped the World Wide charts for most Twitter users. (Hmm, I’m sure there’s a witty joke or pun about London being full of ‘twits’ to be had there. )

The ‘social meet up’ group has used a tool called Twittergrader, to identify the top 100 locations worldwide. US cities dominate the rankings but the UK capital is ranked atop the entire list. Followed by Los Angeles, Chicago and New York. Take a look at the full results here.

“Manchester’s high Twitter rank reflects the concentration of digital and social media activity within the city says Josh and the city’s ranking is also reflected, he suggests, in the rapid growth of and interest in the Social Media Cafe which claims to be the largest, regular social media meetup in the UK.”

how-do.co.uk

If you would like a indepth look at how Manchester based groups use Twitter, theEword conducted an indepth study last year. You can download and read the results here.

Manchester has clearly embraced the modern digital age and I think this is shown in the type of media companies that are growing in the North West.

The digital media industry has been big business for a while now and it’s nice to see that the folks of Manchester are keeping up with the latest trends and, in some cases, leading the way. Let us not forget the impressive ‘baby’ computer developed in 1948 by the University of Manchester.

The ‘baby’ computer has actually been replicated for the new multimillion pound gallery at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, designed by kin. The developers of this modern day ‘baby’ computer have also created a simple game that visitors can play. They can also send a love letter, based on an early computer program, written for the Ferranti Mark I, which generated random love letters (Valentines Day is approaching. What better way to show your love than a computer randomly generated love letter).

Another one of the gallery’s most impressive features is the UK’s largest indoor video wall which is made up of 50 screens! There is also a “digital chandelier spanning 3 floors of the building, which has been renamed the Great Western Warehouse in recognition of its roots. It was a former railway warehouse for Liverpool Road station.” It truly is an incredible display and well worth checking out if you are ever in Manchester.

Matmi is proud to be a part of the North West digital community. Long let it continue…