About me
I’m James Newman. I’m a photographer, videographer, web designer, and tech enthusiast.
8+ years of experience in digital strategy, content marketing, account management and communications, with agency experience in SEO, AEO, Paid Media and UX design.
Curiosity for all things creative and digital, venturing into various emerging tools in AR, VR, and machine learning.
Earlier in my career, I believed the best and most lucrative path was to specialise in a particular niche and push as hard as I could down that one path. It was great for a while, I operated as a PPC and SEO executive for several small to mid-sized companies, from Ski holiday groups like Powderbeds, to energy providers like Certas Energy and OVO Energy. I then unfortunately lost my job in the pandemic, which really pushed me to figured out the next steps.
I freelanced for a while. I worked with companies such as the Nightstore, Pixel Inspiration, and volunteered at Manchester University to assist students in the pandemic. This ultimately led me to my next role as the Digital Programme Lead for a covid-relief project in Manchester, partnering with various organisations across the region to provide over 40,000 meals to isolating students.
As this project drew to an end, one of the key funders – the Diocese of Manchester – offered me a similar role within the Church of England. For the last few years, I’ve been operating as the Digital Strategy Lead for the Diocese, transforming their digital presence and overall company culture to embrace modern communication techniques. Manchester is now recognised nationally as a leading sector for digital presence and engagement.
Alongside my day job, I’ve always been bubbling away with different ideas. I run a wedding videography company called Story So Far with a lifelong friend, which is a really fun avenue to be creative on a day where everyone is so alive and ready for the event.
As I mentioned earlier, I’ve always suffered being interested in everything. I do believe this helps me in the long run, however, as I feel I can absolutely provide a complete, industry leading product in most areas of digital communications. Whether it be cinematic videography, podcasting, graphic design, web development, paid media management, UX design… the list goes on. I have an incredibly broad wealth of experience, which means when I work with a client, I can genuinely assist them at any stage in their marketing process, from inception to delivery.
I write this at a stage where the landscape might appear scary to so many that have specialised into evolving industries. I look to continue to balance my optimistic adoption of new technologies, whilst perfecting my craft on existing mediums.
How’s that for an actual about me section @Google? Do I give off enough expertise, authority and trust to get a bump in the rankings?
James Newman
