BIMA Beat | Virtual Connections

Online Only Event: We will send you a meeting link once you sign up.

What:

BIMA Beat is our platform for digital creatives to showcase their work. It’s got clout – because it’s driven by BIMA’s Creative Council, Sony Music UK’s 4th Floor Creative and Spotify. It builds reputations – every quarter there’s the chance to make the final selection or be crowned the quarter’s winner by some of the best in the business. And it’s a safe, rewarding space – we launched BIMA Beat to support and galvanise the UK digital creativity community, so taking part is all about the positivity.

The need for connection is as important now than ever before. The global pandemic has accelerated what has been a seismic shift to online interactions, whether it be for connecting with loved ones, calling for social change or engaging with audiences in creative ways.

The theme of Virtual Connections looks at the best digital work that connects us in 2020, and we want to discover new and innovative ways creatives produce important moments. Whether it is creating a virtual protest using the “Zoom Generation”, adapting voice technology to create a new form of engagement, or creating virtual spaces that allow for true inclusion in otherwise impossible scenarios, we want to see/hear about it.

There’ll be some incredible, inspirational work on display – we’d urge you not to miss it.

Why?

BIMA Beat is about celebrating creativity and showcasing brilliance. Join our panel of creators and innovators as they talk to us about their journey and how you can get involved. Fingers crossed you’ll leave energised and ready to create.

Our Speakers:

Josh Akapo, Co-Founder at Archtype

Josh Akapo is the co-founder (leading accounts & strategy) of creative agency Archtype – moving at the pace of culture in merch, design and digital – helping facilitate impactful moments for Lovebox Festival, Stormzy & DLT. Josh does creative research & insights at Hype Collective, a student marketing agency that works with brands like Co-op, Adobe and Monster.

Josh is also a part of youth mentoring not-for-profit Joined Up Thinking as their comms & marketing director. he’s helped curate projects helping young, especially young ‘bame’ people to stand out and reach their potential, working with NHS Blood & Transplant, 23red agency and local authorities. He cares deeply about the advancement of young people and the advancing the important moments coming from culture.

Gregg Lawrence, Chief Creative Officer (CCO) at Yoyo

Gregg is the driving force for creativity across Yoyo, drawing on over 15 years of agency experience applying multi-disciplinary design solutions for Yoyo’s clients. He has worked with top brands such as Marie Curie, Mercedes, Universal Music, RNLI, RSPCA, University of Southampton, Electronic Arts, Nintendo and M&S. His combination of brand awareness and conceptual creativity produces the highest levels of customer engagement.

Aadit Shah, Insight Assistant, Sony Music UK – 4th Floor Creative

Aadit is a key member of the Insight team at Sony Music UK, joining the company as an intern before quickly being offered a full-time position within 4th Floor Creative’s Audience Development team. He focuses on bringing a creative, forward-thinking approach to research & strategy and has worked on a range of different artists including the likes of Declan McKenna, Headie One & Sody.

Prior to working at Sony Music UK, he founded a successful YouTube channel for music reviews and also landed an interview on the BBC for his academic research examining the relationship between Colour-blind Racism and Rap. He’s a keen advocate for improving the representation of South Asians in the music industry and has hosted events with key figures in the community, including Joy Crookes and Shabs Jobanputra.

Francesca Lamaina, Junior Analytics Manager at Sony Music UK – 4th Floor Creative

Francesca joined the Analytics team at Sony Music UK as an intern 2 years ago and has since risen through the ranks to become a Junior Manager within 4th Floor Creative’s Audience Development team. She’s worked on numerous artist projects, such as Mark Ronson, Little Mix, Harry Styles & George Ezra, and has delivered strategic insight into digital partners across all labels.

Prior to joining Sony Music UK, she moved to London from Italy to complete her Master degree in Media Management. She has a keen interest in bringing a strategic and creative approach to data-study and has been instrumental in evolving Sony Music UK’s understanding of social content and trends.

Hari Ashurst-Venn, Head of Digital & New Tech, Sony Music UK – 4th Floor Creative

Hari joined Sony Music UK in 2020 as Head of Digital and New Tech as part of the 4th Floor Creative team, working closely with digital marketing platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok across multiple campaigns.

Before joining Sony Music UK, Hari founded the influential indie label Double Denim, was a manager at Red Light Management and an early hire for music tech start-ups such as JAAK and Lickd.

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The BIMA Conference is coming – and it’s free for BIMA members

On 18-19 November, BIMA Conference 2020 will ask how we take the lessons of Covid, climate change, Black Lives Matter and more – and use digital to do better. Join us online for inspirational keynotes, provocative thinking and lots of opportunities to network.

Register now