Duncan Bannatyne Interview
Duncan Bannatyne recently launched his eponymous digital agency. The Drum caught up with the celebrity entrepreneur to find out his plans and ask why he thinks his skills will translate well in the digital sector...
Digital is the future of business. ‘to Google’ is a verb these days, it’s the place consumers look for a business, and any SME needs to ensure its digital assets are world class. Bannatyne Digital has been created to provide that service. What could the digital/marketing industry learn from your other business interests?
The motto I’ve built all my previous companies on is ‘Do it a little better’. Nursing homes, child care and health clubs, none of these are unique businesses as digital isn’t. But if you just do it slightly better than your competition you will be successful. If someone was to come into the Dragons’ Den pitching Bannatyne Digital, would you give them money?
It’s not just about the money, it’s about the people involved. And at Bannatyne Digital I’ve built a team of talented and professional people. The creative industries often bemoan the free pitches they have to undertake, the ideas they have to 'give away' and the fact that their service is often undervalued... Bannatyne Digital offers set packages for set prices. Would a more systematic approach to services benefit the industry?
We offer package prices on the smaller builds, but also we build be-spoke platforms and software development. We are always happy to pitch for work, and we believe it’s our unique take on design and creative ideas which give us the edge, and ultimately the business will come from that. How does your status as a celebrity as well as a businessman help Bannatyne Digital? Does it open doors that might otherwise be shut?
Of course it helps open doors, but that said the work has to then speak for itself, which it does. Are you comfortable using yourself so prominently in all your business ventures? Or do you sometimes want to take more of a back seat?
If I’m involved and people are interested, then why not? As a consumer myself, I always look for expertise and proven success, so if I can add some of that to a business then it makes sense. What would be your one piece of advice to others running marketing services agencies?
Go the extra mile, be unique Do you plan to grow Bannatyne Digital?
The goal is to create the world’s best digital agency, nothing less.