Digital Taunton

The Challenge

In February 2019, ADPR supported Jeremy Hyams, CEO of Claims Consortium Group and Shane Griffiths, Co-Founder at The Idea Bureau to launch “Digital Taunton” – a community-driven group of individuals and businesses, passionate about ensuring Taunton and Somerset becomes a hub for digital innovation and collaboration through providing free, expert events. Through an early affiliation with the team, we were brought onboard as strategic partners to help professionalise the movement and maximise its full potential. Our challenge was to devise an effective strategy to launch and promote Digital Taunton, ensuring momentum was gathering at each event whilst retaining a truly “grass roots” feel.

“ADPR have been a huge support to Digital Taunton and we are extremely proud to have them as a strategic partner. They have been instrumental in raising our profile, assisting in shaping our strategy, writing award submissions (and other important documents) and creating our monthly e-shot; DT Connect. Without ADPR’s dedication and phenomenal guidance, Digital Taunton wouldn’t be what it is today – A networking community providing an energetic voice for workers in the digital sector and broader business world, putting Somerset on the map as a destination for collaboration and innovation. We really appreciate everything ADPR has put into Digital Taunton, they are truly inspirational and a pleasure to work with!”

Jeremy Hyams and Shane Griffiths - Co-Founders of Digital Taunton CIC

The Solution

Working closely with Shane and Jeremy, ADPR was able to help Digital Taunton define its purpose, mission, aims and what sets it apart from other networking groups in the region. We developed a meaningful strategy which included opportunities for funding and sponsorship packages, provided a clear framework for reaching the target audiences, plus details on planned activity and the most effective methods of communication and promotion. The communications strategy consists of hard-working media relations, with press coverage from around the region including securing interviews on the BBC, alongside drafting award entries and creating a genuine community online using MeetUp. We also designed and draft monthly e-newsletters and content for the brand’s social media channels.

The next step is to secure funding for creating an intelligent online platform for its members to develop online relationships and foster commercial opportunities, we are looking at new ways to deliver educational training, as well as looking for additional, larger venues around the county to support even more businesses.

The Results

Digital Taunton is the largest and fastest growing group in the area. Held monthly, each inspiring event is free of charge and supports Digital Taunton’s aim to “create a culture of collaboration which celebrates and encourages innovation and change, putting Somerset on the map for the digital industry.” Creating a huge buzz in the community, it has hosted 11 sell-out events with over 100 people attending each one. Thanks to the events being live streamed online, even more tune in to watch online too (regularly reaching an additional 500 people per event). Digital Taunton’s MeetUp page now has 755 members, the Facebook page has 557 likes and Twitter 1,166 followers, additionally there is a private Facebook group with 213 members for people who are directly part of the community. We also create and write DT Connect, a monthly e-shot which goes out to the Digital Taunton database (over 500 recipients). It has an average click rate of more than 40% compared to an industry average of 13%, there is an average of 20 new subscribers per month and the top three locations for subscribers are Taunton, Bridgwater and Bristol. Digital Taunton is already more powerful and influential than we could have hoped. The community is bigger and more powerful together, and through the work of Digital Taunton, the future looks extremely bright for the region.