BIMA (British Interactive Media Association), the only independent industry association dedicated to celebrating and encouraging creativity in the digital industry has chosen Justin Cooke, managing director of digital design agency Fortune Cookie, as its new Chair.
Cooke became a BIMA Executive Committee member in 2008 because he wanted to play a key role in developing BIMA’s position as the most influential independent digital industry association in the world. His appointment to the role of Chair of BIMA establishes Cooke as one of the most senior and influential figures in the global digital industry.
Justin Cooke founded digital agency Fortune Cookie in 1997, following creative roles with BBC Films, Universal Music (Rondor) and United News and Media (Miller Freeman, Travel Division). His aim: to make Fortune Cookie one of the most respected digital agencies in the world. A graduate of Manchester University (Computers in Theatre), Cooke has successfully steered Fortune Cookie through two industry recessions. Fortune Cookie’s 50-strong team of some of the greatest talent in the digital industry produces award-winning work of a consistently world-class standard for brands and organisations including Legal & General, Amnesty International, Europcar, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, British Gas, UEFA, Miss Selfridge, Kuoni and Lawn Tennis Association.
Cooke says: “My priority is to re-establish BIMA as the voice of the digital industry. Over the coming months I will work with the Executive Committee to make sure that BIMA re-engages with our members and we’ll be positioning British digital design as the best in the world.
Cooke continues: “When it comes to digital, Britain leads the way in terms of talent. BIMA should be the voice of that talent internationally. We will be developing plans to nurture the talent we have and encourage more talented people to join the sector.”
“When it comes to digital, Britain leads the way in terms of talent. BIMA should be the voice of that talent internationally.”
Justin Cooke, MD of Fortune Cookie and Chair of BIMA.
Justin Cooke – biography
Justin Cooke founded digital agency Fortune Cookie in 1997, with the aim of making it one of the most respected digital agencies in the world. In 2007, the agency’s 10th anniversary year, Fortune Cookie became fully independent when its management team bought back internet incubator Brainspark’s 29.4% holding in the agency. Since that time, Fortune Cookie’s turnover has doubled and staff numbers have increased by 50%, with plans announced to grow the business by a further 30% by August 2010 to support Fortune Cookie’s expansion into mainland Europe. In 2009, Best Companies Ltd awarded Fortune Cookie its coveted ‘One to Watch’ status following an independent survey of Fortune Cookie staff, and the agency became the subject of a short documentary film produced by the Daily Telegraph Business Club.
Fortune Cookie has tripled its investment in new technologies in the past 12 months, becoming the first digital agency in the world to purchase the new Tobii T60 XL eye-tracker and has been ranked in Media Momentum’s list of the top 50 fastest growing digital agencies in Europe for a third consecutive year.
Websites designed and built by Fortune Cookie has been shortlisted for major design awards 38 times in the past two years, including an Honor for Lawn Tennis Association at the 2009 Webby Awards and a shortlisted nomination for Small Luxury Hotels of the World at the 2009 New Media Age Effectiveness Awards.
Cooke takes the place of Paul Walsh who has stepped down from the role of Chair of BIMA after three successful years.
BIMA members have also appointed a new Executive Committee that comprises: Alastair Duncan, Chris Kempt, Rob Corradi, Philip Scotcher, Be Kaler Blake, Catherine Toole and James Bromley. David Hart (Codegent) has been appointed Vice-Chair.