Ross Curzon-Butler
Ross Curzon-Butler didn’t think that he’d be cut out for university life. But a few years on, after achieving his First and landing a job he loves, he feels that UWE was the right path after all…
When Ross began his course in Time-Based Media (now called Media Practice), he'd already spent a few years working in media technology. "A lot of the other students had come straight from school," Ross explains, "and initially, I have to admit, I felt as though there weren't many people around me on the same wavelength."
But it wasn't long before Ross started to meet students and tutors whose input he really valued. "I loved being able to interact with other creatives, not just in media but in graphics and fashion as well. They helped me look critically at wide range of work - including my own."
A foot in the door
And it was while he was at UWE, getting together with like-minded people, that Ross made some really useful connections which led him to his first job as Head of Digital Video at Omni Productions when he graduated in 2006. "I was working on a short film with some friends, and one of them knew somebody who had recently set up a digital design and production company [Omni]. I got some freelance work with them while I was still studying, and with the help of UWE's graduate placement scheme, I managed to stay there in a permanent role."
In 2009 using his experience and knowledge that he gained from working at Omni and from his course, Ross eventually set up a digital agency called Dropp with two former colleagues. In 2011 he decided to take a more focused approach to building online businesses and brands through digital campaigns and started his own agency called Bravo6. With the experience of running his own successful businesses he has since been invited on to the board of several other companies to help them build up their business model.
"Even though I did a media course I felt that the lessons that I learnt with regards to self promotion, self management and project planning for media production really helped me get a firm understanding of the elements involved in running a business. I would at some point love to come back to UWE to do a Master in Business as I feel that UWE has a great reputation for its business school and I'm always keen to learn and to forever push myself".
One of his favourite new businesses is the baby food company that he now sits on the board with as Director of New Business Development. "Baby Bites is my guilty pleasure. It's a nice counter balance to the hectic high powered world of media. Mind you the clients [babies] can often be more critical!".
Bigger and better things
Since graduating in 2006 Ross has always looked to constantly achieve. He has worked for some very big name clients with the likes of Microsoft, Mastercard, Toshiba and TomTom among some of the brands that he has helped build online campaigns for.
Page last updated 16 February 2012