Great British Entrepreneur Awards Shortlists Eric Newnham

Great British Entrepreneur Awards Shortlist Includes Eric Newnham

The Great British Entrepreneur Awards Shortlist was announced today (22nd October) and put Talon Outdoor’s CEO Eric Newnham in the running for the Serial Entrepreneur category.

Newnham, who re-entered the OOH market in June 2012 when he bought into Talon Outdoor, has an impressive track record having built six media companies and assisted numerous others. When he bought into Talon Outdoor, the company had just a 3,000,000 turnover and a staff of six people; in a little over a year it has grown into a powerful entity within the media sector, turning over 150,000,000 (an increase of 5,000%)and employing a team of over 70 people.

Since Newnham’s arrival, the company has invested in the best personnel and is now one of the UK’s most future-facing, digitally-led and innovative OOH specialist agencies, boasting an impressive client roster which includes Omnicom, McDonald’s, Sainsbury’s, Sony Pictures and Google.

Since 2011 Newnham has invested in a number of digital agencies and created an angel investment fund that has invested in 26 start-up digital businesses. One of these is Blis Media, the UK’s leading DSP (demand side platform) in mobile, of which Newnham is now Chair. Until 2012, Eric’s greatest achievement had been to create Kinetic, a partnership with WPP, out of Poster Publicity.

Newnham said of the awards ‘I couldn’t be more pleased that this recognition has come when the team at Talon are doing such amazing things. The secret to success is good people and at Talon we have a really amazing set of skill and know-how. I might be the one being honoured but make no mistake, it is the foresight and drive of the Talon collective that has put me in line for this award.’

Simon Burton, Founder of the Awards added ‘Entrepreneurs like Eric are the lifeblood of the British economy. Eric is typical of the type of businessperson we celebrate; entrepreneurs question the received wisdom, drive change and create opportunities.’

The award winners will be announced on 19th November 2013 in London.