Bristol-based new media company Coull is revolutionising the way we buy online and setting new trends in interactive web video thanks to a second round of investment from the Plymouth-based Finance South West Growth Fund (managed by YFM Group), the London-based Creative Ventures Group and private investors.
Coull has developed ‘Coull Activate’, a toolkit that can make any web-viewed video interactive. The end result is that, at the click of a mouse, a browser can pause action, read detail about a product and ultimately purchase that product. It has also developed ‘Coull Engage’ which can transform a one-dimensional web advert into an interactive experience. Both products are designed to increase sales and brand awareness by engaging the viewer and encouraging them to spend more time on a website.
“Coull’s technology allows any video to be made interactive – activating objects to link to another site, product or service,” said Irfon Watkins, Coull CEO.
“This offers brands and content owners increased creative scope to incorporate advertising into online video content, in a way that directly engages consumer audiences, maximising the opportunity presented by the continued surge in consumer use of online video.”
The packages incorporate sophisticated evaluation tools so that the success of an ad campaign can be tracked and monitored from minute to minute. Coull’s enviable client list proves that interactive advertising is the future with Rolls Royce, Agent Provocateur, Universal Music and Boots now using Coull technology.
Coull has also attracted a new, highly regarded and experienced board member to market the new products. Gillian Kent joins Coull, as a Finance South West Non-Executive Director, from MSN UK, Microsoft’s own web portal, where she was MD. She is convinced that: “2008 is the year for online video and Coull’s easy-to-use products, combined with its long-held expertise in online video, position the company extremely well for success.”
Keith Masson, Finance South West Growth Fund Manager, says: “Coull is at the cutting edge of online advertising, which has exploded in popularity and is ripe for further development. Finance South West is pleased to be playing a part in the company’s current and future success.”
ENDS
Dated 24/06/08
Notes to Editors
Finance South West, which is part funded by the EU through the Objective Two Programme for the South West, is an £18 million investment fund targeting small and medium sized enterprises in this region with a range of equity, mezzanine and debt capital. Finance South West can provide commercial finance from £10,000 up to £1 million for buying, starting or growing a business in the Objective Two area of the South West. It has now invested over £10 million in the region’s businesses, levering over £20.6 million into the South West economy.
The Finance South West Loan Fund has invested over £4 million in 73 small and medium-sized businesses, levering more than £6.5 million into the South West economy, safeguarding 226 jobs and creating 159. The Finance South West Growth Fund has invested a total of £7 million in 14 companies, levering over £20 million into the economy, creating 46 jobs and safeguarding 259.
The company also offers business planning services and mentoring through a network of qualified professionals and a panel of non-executive directors to help businesses achieve their goals.
Finance Cornwall Fund Managers Limited is an investment company authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority registered in England and Wales, number 05010380, registered address 14 High Cross, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2AJ.
For further information visit: www.financesouthwest.co.uk
Coull is a leading provider of web-based tools for enhancing and managing interactive videos. The Coull platform enables video owners to identify and tag objects within online videos, and customize user experiences around interacting with those objects. Coull-enhanced videos are driving deeper consumer engagement with brands as well as innovation in product placement. http://coull.
YFM Venture Finance Ltd (part of the YFM Group)
YFM Group, authorised by the Financial Services Authority, is the UK’s most active investor in the small and medium enterprise marketplace. YFM Group manages in excess of £250 million of funds with investment sizes ranging from £50,000 to £5 million. YFM is located in Plymouth, Leeds, Manchester, London, Plymouth, and Bristol with over 40 investment professionals across the UK. In the South West, YFM Group manages the Finance South West Growth Fund and the South West Ventures Fund.
Creative Ventures Group - Creative Ventures GroupTM seeks to invest in, procure co-investors and assist in the corporate management of media and technology ventures. It was founded to invest in the growing opportunities at the micro segment of the market, focusing on ventures with capital investment requirements of below £2 million.
Contact - PR for Finance South West: Samantha McKay, PR Manager, Formedia. Telephone: 01752 762120 / Email: samantha@formedia.co.uk. |
