MediaSnackers New Zealand
The short version…
In June I will be emigrating to Christchurch, New Zealand.
I will take up the role of Social Media Jedi/Manager for CORE Education, a not-for-profit educational research and development organisation with an international reputation for support and promotion of the use of new technologies for learning across all education and training sectors.
MediaSnackers will be coming with me and relaunched with CORE Education as equity and delivery partner (they will remain separate brands).
We are currently exploring options to retain a working office in the UK with Mark continuing to kick ass across our service range.
The long version
For the past five years MediaSnackers has been my passion and focus.
All my energies and devotion has been poured into building up the business from nothing to a six figure turnover company.
It has offered opportunities to connect with amazing individuals I would’ve never had the chance to, influence countless organisations and brands in their social media use plus experience journeys across five continents.
So why the hell am I moving…?
Put simply, I’m hungry for adventure and the other side of the planet seemed a good place to start.
New Zealand is an amazing place full of wondrous landscapes and even lovelier people. I fell in love with it (especially Christchurch) when visiting at the end of 2009 (delivering several gigs : Ulearn09 conference, Global Focus Aotearoa, Palmerston North Library and Parehua Country Estate).
After making the decision to move the original plan was simply to set up MediaSnackers NZ, although after chatting with several contacts in the country an opportunity developed through CORE Education. A few investors were interested in taking up the reins for sustaining UK-based operations and lots of meetings / emails / discussions were had, however, even though the figures offered were substantial, none offered a solid match with our core values.
After an immense and emotional journey of sharing that decision with those in MediaSnackers, discussing its impact, working out the options, chatting with close friends and family plus edging my way through the NZ Immigration system, I was officially granted my New Zealand residency right at the end of February 2011.
The new partnership with CORE Education not only ensures the brand values which are instilled in MediaSnackers remain (that of inspiring people through social media to learn, work and live differently—not doing it for them) but their guidance / input / resources will strengthen the offering into a scalable business model.
My new role will give me the opportunity to put into practice what I’ve been telling other people to do all these years and for the first time in 8 years the idea of having a boss is totally exciting and weird in equal measure.
There are two months or so of delivering to and for outstanding clients, speaking at several events (sorry for those who have been trying to book me for the summer and beyond, you can see now why I couldn’t commit) and delivering a couple more training gigs before the off…
USA Work
The proposed emigration timetable allows for some time stateside delivering a few social media sessions for some clients there en route to NZ :
- LHR ✈ LAX — 16th June, stay one night
- LAX ✈ SEA — 17th, attending TEDxOverlake
- SEA ✈ SFO — 19th, chilling plus lunch at Google
- SJO 20th, lunch at Google
- SFO ✈ AUK ✈ PMR — 23rd, weekend chilling before…
- PMR ✈ CHC — 28th, new home
Get in touch if you would like to meet or have a gig for me.
And finally
Even though this is a goodbye to the UK it’s not a farewell to MediaSnackers. However, I do feel a few hat-tips are needed :
Thanks to the several fantastic freelancers, affiliates and associates who have become a part of the MediaSnackers family—you have all influenced and helped grow the brand more than you know.
Deep waist bows to the vast array of clients I’ve personally had the opportunity to deliver for. The experience has enabled me to grow and develop my skills as a speaker / training / leader / provocateur etc
Head nodding gratitude to you the readers / followers / friends who have connected with me across all the social spaces. You have challenged, entertained and educated.
And last but not least, humbled appreciation to Mark who has supported, inspired and guided the building of this little business. I have no doubt this will continue.
As stated, we will continue to work hard to sustain a UK operation and look forward to growing our client base on this side of the planet—we’re still very much ‘open for business’.
Epilogue
If you would like to follow my adventures please add me on my new personal Twitter handle : @justadandak.
UPDATE 22 April 2011: Mark has decided to seek new pastures so there will be no operations in the UK for the foreseeable future.
April 6th, 2011
Best of luck in your new role DK! I imagine you’ve had a lot to think about.
Please let us know what country they think you are from after hearing you speak ;-)
April 6th, 2011
Hi DK,
That is exciting news, I remember when we skype late last year about your journey to NZ, and Looks like everything is coming together, congratulations on the new position at Core as well.
Looking forward to welcoming you to auckland and see what magic we can conjure up together
John Lai
SMNZ
April 6th, 2011
Things have certainly moved a long way from when I put you in touch with Sherry about presenting at Ulearn!! I am glad to hear that you are joining the CORE family and that you will be moving to Christchurch. I moved here from Wellington in January and can say that quake or no quake, it really is a great city. Will look forward to catching up with you on this side of the world.
April 6th, 2011
oh, DK – Ive read this and Im a mix of sadness and excitement for you. What an incredible adventure you are about to start but what a loss to the sector and all those organisations that have been fortunate to work with you in what ever capacity that may have been. Its good to know Mark will continue things, and I look forward to a chance to convince my peers that we need some real energy in media snacking terms, he will be the first port of call when that happens. In the meantime, at the risk of sounding a bit sychophantic: Thank you, you have made a big impression on my social approach and whilst Im still learning, you should know that Ive been inspired muchly by your activities. Good luck – how brilliant will this next chapter be! xx
April 6th, 2011
I am sure you will be an asset to the team. All the best for this new chapter.
April 6th, 2011
Hi DK
What wonderfully exciting news! There is nothing like a new country and a new adventure to get the juices flowing. I am so happy for you (sad we never actually got to meet!) but perhaps I can catch you down under one day.
May you remain as Zen as ever.
Sinead
x
April 6th, 2011
Ian – thank you. When I was there before most knew I was Welsh (it’s the yanks who have fun with my accent).
John – looking forward to connecting with you #irl and hopefully working some magic up together for sure.
Suzie – you were the linchpin for the whole thing, again, looking forward to connecting with you in 3D ;-)
Allanah – thanking you and hope to see you again when I’m there.
Sinead – very exciting it is and appreciate the sentiments my Zen sister x
April 6th, 2011
DK,
The very best of luck for your next adventure. We’ll keep following things in cyberspace and now we’ll hassle Mark more than ever back in the UK.
Safe travels.
Steve Gilroy
Vistage UK
April 6th, 2011
DK,
Congrats. I hope you enjoy the move. I doubt that we’ll get to connect when you’re in the states, but who knows.
My guess is that your journey into minimalism will help make the transition a lot easier (albeit not the impetus of your move, it’s a nice bonus nonetheless).
Take care,
Joshua Millburn
April 6th, 2011
Steve – appreciate the well wishes and let the digital stalking begin ;-)
Joshua – you can see why I’ve dug into minimalism now ;-) lets see if we can connect stateside but understand if the cosmic forces don’t align, thanks as ever for the encouragement and comment!
April 6th, 2011
Well, I for one am very excited about your move… Chrstchurch is certainly one of the places to come for adventure right now… yep, adventure and longdrops. Am looking forward to seeing this adventure grow. Am in Auckland and Hawkes Bay but if I can help, shout out.
April 7th, 2011
Wow! What an amazing move DK! I hope you have a blast over there! xx
April 8th, 2011
Simon – thanks fella and looking forward to meeting you #irl… two welsh boys far from home ;-)
Katherine – cheers me dears x
April 11th, 2011
Well done dude. Gonna be even longer between catch ups now!
Wish you all the bes and look fwd to staying in touch over soshal meeja!!!!
Your brutha from anutha mutha.
April 11th, 2011
Awesome! Best of Luck DK!
April 11th, 2011
David – hoping to catch up with you before the off…
Prem – thank you sir
April 20th, 2011
DK – Good luck on your new ventures. Make sure you keep in touch. It will be exciting to see what your new life brings you.
May 8th, 2011
Wow, DK!! I’m about a month behind times, it seems… Sounds very exciting and what’s more, YOU sound excited :D Best of luck with everything, and here’s hoping our paths will cross again one day!
May 9th, 2011
Trinite & Heli – many thanks for the well wishes :-)
May 10th, 2011
DK… Very best wishes for your move to NZ. I’ve been several times as well as many other places, but nothing compares. From all of us in West Sussex Youth Service, thanks for you and your teams input and guidance. I’m sure if she hasn’t already, Hilary Mason would also offer her sincere best wishes… you’ll remember her… your first statutory youth work blogger!
All the best, Steve
May 10th, 2011
Steve – many thanks for the kind comment :-)