NatWest launches online TV show as it aims to become always on content provider
NatWest has launched its first branded lifestyle show for social and digital channels in the latest stage of its aim to become an always-on content publisher as part of their ‘We are what we do’ campaign.
The new show, called Money Bite, brings to life the stories and activity that is already happening across NatWest day in day out, and the first episode is now live exclusively through YouTube, social media and on NatWest.com.
Hosted by Angellica Bell and Gethin Jones, the 18-minute long show, cut into bite size segments for digital consumption, aims to talk about money through a lifestyle lens, in a world where we are more comfortable talking about sex and relationships than we are money.
The series producers are Green Rock, a content creation company founded in 2008 by former editor Simon Green. With roots in post-production, they have expanded their expertise to production to enable brands to make the most of their content in a digital-first world. Their experienced team of creatives collaborated with NatWest from conception to plan, create, craft and deliver Money Bite.
Filmed in a specially created pop-up studio in Birmingham, the first episode features a family taking-on the Budget Takeover challenge, where the children are tasked with running the family finances for a week. The feature highlights the work of NatWest’s MoneySense programme which has brought financial education to millions of school children using real-life situations, such as getting pocket money, buying a first phone or saving for a car, to prepare them for the financial decisions they will need to make as adults.
Derek Hemphill, senior advertising and content manager, NatWest says: “It’s been fantastic collaborating with the talented team at Green Rock who are always looking for innovative and exciting ways for brands to engage with audiences. Money Bite brings the statement of intent of ‘We are what we do’ to life by demonstrating how we support our customers well across a range of real life situations.
Tim Plyming, director of content at Green Rock, adds: “At Green Rock, we spend a huge amount of time focused on how brands and organisations can leverage the revolution in how audiences are consuming content - to become content creators in their own right. It is trend that we are certain is going to grow as brands and organisations look inside at the content opportunities within. We’re thrilled to have worked with the fantastic team at NatWest to create a world first magazine format show for the banking industry.”
Until recently, Plyming was Director of Digital Arts and Media at Nesta, overseeing a significant portfolio of work encouraging innovation and collaboration between the arts, technology and media sectors. Prior to that he held an Executive Producer role at the BBC, as editorial lead for History and Science content online including the BBC's World War One Centenary season.
Money Bite will also highlight the huge amount of work that NatWest do in supporting entrepreneurship and small business across the UK, and in particular women in business, through its Entrepreneurial Spark programme, the world’s largest free business accelerator for early stage and growing ventures.
The first episode also features the inspiring story of an alumni of the Entrepreneurial Spark programme, Rosie Ginday who trained as a high-end pastry under Michelin starred chef Glynn Purnell before setting up Miss Macaroon in 2011.