Ellie Horvath
While justly celebrating 10 years of consistent growth and success, Cornwall’s HookedOnMedia gathered at the acclaimed Watergate Bay Hotel to mark this impressive business milestone and to look towards future horizons. Employees from all corners of the UK, such as Scotland, Nottingham and Cornwall, put their heads together to reflect on the last 10 years of the agency, its most significant achievements and what the next ten years will hold.
This vibrant young company, one of the first SEO agencies to set up in Cornwall, attributes its success of over 40 years of experience in digital marketing campaigns for businesses across the UK and looks back on the companies position in their industry after Stewart Roode (MD) and Andrew Thomas (Technical Director) branched off to set up independently from the large marketing agency they were once part of. “I remember when we started, there were three well-respected agencies in Cornwall. Due to our previous campaign experience, when Stewart and I worked on clients such as Black & Decker, LoveFilm, RAC, London Stock Exchange and Playboy, we soon forced ourselves into this top 3! Having optimised websites since Lycos, Altavista & Ask Jeeves, I’ve witnessed countless SEO changes, algorithm updates such as ‘Pigeon’ & ‘RankBrain’ and general technology enhancements to improve content, speeds, and usability.”
On further reflection, Andrew explains two significant changes he has experienced in the digital marketing landscape, which have set precedents for the following years. “Responsive Design has been around since 2008/2009 but under different names such as ‘fluid, liquid & elastic design’. The term ‘Responsive Design’ hit the heights as we formed HookedOnMedia in 2012, and this method was listed as #2 in Top Web Design Trends for 2012 by .net magazine. Likewise, the Hummingbird update rolled out in August 2013. Former Google Software Engineer, Matt Cutts, described Hummingbird as a ‘rewrite of the entire core algorithm.’ With this in mind, it became one of the most talked about algorithm changes for years.” Andrew reflects, “during the roll-out, I remember this being a bit of an anti-climax, as results indicated not many changes within the SERPS, especially with our clients. However, in hindsight, it was one of the most important algorithm changes of all time, as the re-structure of this algorithm became the starting point for subsequent waves of innovations made possible by it, such as ‘user intent’ and ‘fast conversational search’.”
The COVID pandemic changed a lot across all industries, and with the massive surge of online traffic, HookedOnMedia welcomed a flux of new leads. However, both the client and service provider had to accommodate a different set-up process, such as offering shorter-term contracts and flexibility, whilst building a trustful foundation during a perpetual time. This positive “yes man” approach has scored dividends for the company. By engendering long-lasting client relationships when clients had to last minute change tact and even change businesses completely. A previous client recalls, “when I started in March, the pandemic was kicking off. [HookedOnMedia] were so accommodating, allowing me to stop [the campaign] and move to the new business. Very helpful in a difficult situation.”
On a beautiful windswept October Friday, the team of 10 came together to celebrate at one of Cornwall’s most favoured and beautiful locations and venues, Watergate Bay Hotel. The hotel, as always, delivered a superb setting and ambience for both a formal boardroom meeting and breakout areas with stunning views and lunch.
A signature work of beach art by Ebb and Flow was dedicated to HookedOnMedia to mark their 10-year watershed. A hand-crafted product for a Cornish IT phenomenon.
Take advantage of HookedOnMedia’s 10 year celebratory offer of 10% off all online marketing services, for up to 12 months! * minimum 3 months applies, available until Q2 2023!
