Innovative Services Lead To Sound Growth For 344 Audio

Manchester-based audio design firm, 344 Audio, has launched a new and innovative client-focused software, doubling its yearly revenue and further cementing it as one of the UK's leading companies in the sector.

344 Audio was set up by Alex Gregson nearly ten years ago following his graduation from SSR Manchester, an industry-specific education provider which also boasts alumni like The Smiths, Stone Roses and New Order.

The firm regularly works with industry-leading figures across Britain's entertainment industries and its reputation in the UK and overseas had been growing rapidly. This meant Alex was eager to scale the business up quickly so he could take on more clients and more work, and ultimately, build up to the opening of his own studio facility.

However, Alex realised that he would need help to achieve his dreams, and so, he turned to Business Growth Hub, part of The Growth Company, for support.

With support from one of the Hub's digital specialists, Neil McCluskey, Alex created short, medium and long-term business strategies to ensure 344 Audio was positioned well in the market, was engaging with its clients effectively and was marketing itself well on social media and other channels. As part of this, a social media strategy was drawn up, focused on the development and publishing of thought leadership content to help further build Alex's reputation as a sound designer within the sector.

Neil also helped 344 Audio to develop a product hosted on its website called PLUS+, which enables the company's clients to exchange important information on their projects and acts as a resource hub so they can find reliable industry contacts. This product offers a combination of services that have never been offered to those in the audio production sector before.

PLUS+ instantly connects users to 344 Audio's trusted contacts and sends them loyalty discounts on industry products, such as high-end camera rental. In this sense, 344 Audio have made innovation the priority over competition when developing and rolling out PLUS+ to the firm's clients.

Since receiving support from The Hub, 344 Audio has gone on to increased success – for example, they're currently working with the filmmaker and visual effects supervisor Chris Keller, whose credits includeAvengers: Age of Ultron, Man of Steel and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and have recently completed a film, Strays, for Channel 4's Random Acts scheme, with the eclectic northern filmmaker Aaron Dunleavy. This, along with the signing of further new clients and work on other projects, has led to a doubling of yearly revenue for the business.

Alex Gregson, founder and lead sound designer at 344 Audio, said: "Innovation in our company is our shift away from focusing on technology in our craft. We focus on interpersonal relationships (often in pre-production and the project approval stages) so that they understand what we are trying to achieve with each draft delivered, and what that draft does to enhance their vision.
"The response to PLUS+ has been great and clients have said 'it definitely feels like more of a service now' while Neil's support also allowed me to gain a more varied social media following by leveraging thought-leadership."

Neil McCluskey, digital adviser at Business Growth Hub, said: "As a new start-up in a highly competitive niche sector like audio production, it was extremely important that Alex position himself as a skilled innovator within the sector. I helped Alex understand this and made sure that an effective social media structure was in place before he began to market the business.

"Working with Alex was a pleasure, and it has felt very rewarding to see 344 Audio grow and now gain a reputation as a company that's always willing to go the extra mile, bringing creativity and excellence to all audio projects."

Following 344 Audio's increased success, Alex has also returned to SSR Manchester, working in a senior audio tutor role, alongside running 344 Audio.

On this, Alex added: "It means a lot to be able to teach at SSR − I get to engage with new talent, keep at the forefront of technology and create a cycle of learning for both the students, and myself, that is industry-focused.

"It still feels like home from my studies, and the employees are all positive, forward-thinking sound and education professionals."

Businesses looking to access specialist support can visit businessgrowthhub.com for more information about the organisation's range of services.

344audio.com