So what’s this all about?
Critical Distance is the company founded in 2003 by writer, broadcaster, analyst and transmedia specialist, Jonathan Marks.
World-Class Storytelling
From humble beginnings, Critical Distance has grown into an internationally recognised knowledge and production network. Infact it’s best described as a guild of digital craftsmen. At a time when every company is becoming a media company (in some form or other), Critical Distance specializes in building trans-media strategies.
The audience is at the heart of everything we do. Understand the audience, and you can build powerful relevant stories. In today’s world of many screens that means integrating existing and emerging media platforms to build conversations in society. But the good news is, the audience has never been closer. We combine (both public and confidential) research with video and audio production skills to make those stories effective.
Jonathan and other partners in the guild, consult to the senior management of large companies, but also coach tech-savvy start-ups on how to get their ideas into the right context. Jonathan’s heritage is with international broadcasting as an award-winning producer of audio and video productions. The work in 2012 is with non-broadcast companies, because without a powerful story, companies fold.
Many corporations are rethinking their PR strategy, dumping the “press release” and making more use of video to communicate their ideas and goals. But only a few companies are able to do this in an engaging way. Critical Distance has developed methods to get this right, both fast and economically. The company is currently active with projects in the UK, Kenya, Cameroon, Germany, The Netherlands, Tanzania, Finland, USA, Eastern Europe and Singapore.
Getting in touch
This page has been designed as a quick reference, a switchboard to various activities. It is updated as needed.
To catch-up with Jonathan’s current news and videos, please click on the bloglinks to the right. He’s also active on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter. Read on for the general overview. If you want to contact Jonathan now, then the best way is by e-mail, which is checked regularly. The address is jonathanATSIGNjonathanmarks.com. Let Jonathan know if you’re working to a deadline.
For news on what I am doing today, including news and musings I would like to share, check out the “Critical Distance Weblog“. I am also experimenting with aggregation tools creating a sort of Flipbook for international broadcasters.
For the last four years I have been releasing more of the professional videos I have made, including interviews with people I believe are doing interesting and creative things with emerging media. Head off to “Jonathan’s Video Vault“.
As 2012 progresses, I am doing a series of keynotes on what Media Strategies Companies Need to Develop Next, focussing on new ways of digital storytelling. I do a lot of confidential commercial work and this helps to off-set some of the research and development work I am doing in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. I have also rekindled an interest in useful equipment and software for those in the vodcasting and podcasting business.
What’s next during the Great Euro Depression 2.0?
I have been shocked how poorly large companies in Western Europe have adapted to the power of social media especially during a double dip. If there was ever a time when you need to be clear with your audience, it is now.
But there are great exceptions. I have been impressed by thebureauinvestigates, Channel 4, parts of the BBC, Nordic Media Festival as well as parts of NPR in the US. Shouting into social media platforms has never worked and I am pleased to see that Google Analytics is now showing this strategy isn’t working. However, at the same time I have been fortunate to be working with winners in this sector, who not only get it – they are already doing it! I just wish there was more of it in Europe, so I’m looking for partners to help fix that.
Rates – what’s it going cost?
Our company believes in talking money up front, not after the event when there is huge room for misunderstandings. We know our own capabilities to deliver to a deadline – so that’s why we often usually charge per project – linking that to an agreed delivery date. The rates depend on the type of work, repeat business opportunities and the level of specialization that is needed. So give us a call or drop us a line and let’s discuss your needs in strictest confidence.
