Simon Barnett, an award-winning audio producer with 20 years of experience making radio programmes for the BBC and commercial clients, has joined cScape’s Customer Engagement Unit (CEU). The CEU was launched in November 2006 in conjunction with cScape’s publication of the world’s first annual online customer engagement report.
An emphasis on customer engagement underpins cScape’s integrated marketing consultancy. The CEU is a team of individuals with years of experience in digital marketing and communications, design and technology development. With Barnett’s extensive experience in digital audio production, the CEU will broaden its offering to deliver podcasting and audio branding services to its clients.
Barnett was at the forefront of digital production techniques when they were introduced in the mid-1990s and has developed and delivered high quality content to a diverse range of traditional and new media clients through his company, Voxpop Productions.
Barnett’s credits include producing programmes with Chris Moyles (Radio1), Steve Merchant (writer of The Office) and Joe Strummer (from The Clash) as well as making broadcasts on subjects as diverse as the history of TV soaps, the Glastonbury Festival, ancestry, George Michael and music piracy on the net. He has won a Sony Silver Award and a One World Media Award.
Barnett said: “I’m delighted to join cScape in delivering high quality solutions for their clients’ audio content needs. In the radio world, we are well aware of how important it is to engage and sustain an audience and I hope I can bring some of these vital skills to cScape’s new unit.“
According to the online customer engagement survey that cScape carried out in October and November 2006, companies across all sectors are eager to embrace Web 2.0 features to engage with their customers. In the next 12 months, 51% are set to use podcasting on their sites, while 52% are planning to use videocasting.
“The ‘podcast age’ is revolutionising the way we consume audio and the accessibility we have to it. Bringing the high production and editorial values of traditional broadcasting to the podcasting arena can only invigorate the medium and enhance the listening experience,” said Barnett.
Richard Sedley, director of cScape’s Customer Engagement Unit, said: “Simon Barnett is joining the CEU at a defining moment for online business and he will help us maximise cScape’s creative opportunities. Our research has shown that there is a growing enthusiasm for the delivery of audio content. With the addition of Simon’s expertise we will be better situated to advise our clients on how they can leverage podcasting and audio branding to engage successfully with their audiences.”
About the Customer Engagement Unit
Find out more about cScape's CEU consultancy services
Read more about the cScape Annual Online Customer Engagement Survey 2007 and the resulting research report.
A free copy of the report is available to journalists. Contact cScape press officer Nathalie Rothschild for details.