From broadcasting to Launchpad

Mike Morris has had an extensive career in business, media and broadcasting. We're delighted to be welcoming him to our June 2021 cohort. As Mike returns to 'the groves of Academe' he tells us why he wanted to be part of Launchpad...

I have spent the last 35 years working in the media world for companies such as Saatchi & Saatchi, ITV and Channel 4. Over that time I've been involved in a lot of different and challenging business activities from helping to launch The National Lottery to producing and financing films such as The Inbetweeners Movie. Falmouth Launchpad is my next big challenge.

It's a great time to be joining Launchpad. All industries are being profoundly affected by near universal access to the internet. Old business models are under threat and new models are still to emerge. This offers huge opportunities for anyone who understands the dynamics of the post internet, social media-driven world. Where better to develop these opportunities than on a course surrounded by tech-savvy, enthusiastic, entrepreneurs for whom new technologies and social media are just everyday parts of their existence.

In these days of superfast broadband there is no need to base international businesses in the previously dominant commercial centres – New York, London, LA, Beijing, Tokyo – everyone, everywhere is connected and Cornwall, having benefitted from millions of pounds in digital infrastructure investment, is one of the most connected places in the UK.

So, I am excited to be on my way to join Launchpad in June, excited about sharing some of my experience with my fellow entrepreneurs on the course but even more excited about learning from them and creating some successful, scalable, internet-enabled businesses for Cornwall.

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