The Volkswagen Business Forum delivers consistent and coherent messages to the geographically dispersed Retail network and to staff at Head Office. Fortnightly broadcasts are filmed, edited and encoded. The video footage is backed up by facts, figures and graphics to achieve maximum impact and value as a communication tool, then streamed the following day to Retailers.

The site is secure and measurable – with online reports available to show how many people are accessing each area, who they are and when they are viewing. I managed the site and the production of the webchats, discussion forum, product launches and web broadcasts; this included building slides, synchronising video content to these slides and rigorous cross platform testing.

Role
Software project management, UX, design and development

Length
6 weeks. Then monthly broadcasts through 2004-06

Team size
2xProject managers, 2xDesigners, UX, 4xDevelopers

Deliverable
Extranet

Design process
UX and visual design, user testing, design refinements

Initially Audi’s internal communications came in the form of monthly VHS-based business updates. Owing to the size of the dealer network however, this became a cumbersome and difficult to monitor method of communication. As a solution to these difficulties, I helped develop an online, intranet-driven communication platform. With video and synchronised slides available online within 24 hours of filming, Audi TV allows the brand to deliver the “Audi Experience” to customers by bringing all Centres on side and to deploy training and sales information across Audi’s new extranet. Audi TV revolutionised the ability of Audi UK to keep their dealers informed.

“Audi TV provides me with communication across the network with a very fast turnaround. It means I can deliver a direct, undiluted message to all the dealers while the information is still totally fresh and topical. What’s more, by combining the video message with sales figures and product information, the message is far more accessible and impactful than a straightforward e-mail. It’s also a highly contemporary medium – and that sits well with the Audi brand. The results – in terms of traffic on the extranet and improved sales performance, have already been impressive.” Allan Rushforth, Head of Operations, Audi UK

Audi TV contains archives of past broadcasts, feedback options and a fully functioning discussion board. I designed the site and managed the production of the web broadcasts; which included building slides, synchronising video content to these slides and rigorous cross platform testing.

Role
UX, design and development

Length
6 weeks. Then monthly broadcasts through 2003-06

Team size
2xProject managers, 2xDesigners, UX, 4xDevelopers

Deliverable
Extranet

Design process
UX and visual design, user testing, design refinements

Following the merger of two Lottery distributors, the Big Lottery Fund aimed to pioneer methods of public involvement, offering would-be applicants for Lottery funding and other stakeholders the chance to share their views of how Lottery money should be spent.

“Having a discussion board is a bit of a leap of faith for any organisation – providing people with a platform to criticise us if they wish. As communicators we are used to managing and controlling the messages that appear in the media. Here we are handing over control to our customers.” Huw Thomas, Big Lottery Fund

To help with this developed and managed the Big Lottery Fund Consultation Forum. The site contained video case studies, feedback options, a live webchat and was also presented with a second Welsh language version.

“A good demonstration of streaming video as an engaging communications tool. The video content adds an emotional element to the subject matter enhancing the visitor experience.” IVCA judges, Silver in the WEB TV category

In the first 3 months, the site attracted 11,343 visits and 14 hours of video were streamed. 173 postings on the discussion board were stored in the moderator’s inbox.

Role
Software project management, UX, design and development

Length
4 weeks. Completed in 2004

Team size
2xProject managers, 2xDesigners, UX, 2xDevelopers

Deliverable
Website

Design process
UX and visual design, user testing, design refinements