Brighton chief executive says export deal saved his firm

A high-tech Brighton company is being held up as an example of how exporting can help businesses thrive in Britain’s tough economic climate.

UK Trade & Industry (UKTI), the government agency set up to boost exports, has been singing the praises of MiShorts, a video on demand (VoD) business, of Middle Street, Brighton.

And Richard Harris, the chief executive of MiShorts, repaid the compliment, saying that the help given by UKTI helped save his business.

Nick Baird, the chief executive of UKTI, said: “Working with UKTI South East led to an agreement for MiShorts to provide short-film content for a leading mobile carrier in India.

“In 2009 CEO Richard Harris visited India’s leading media and entertainment industry event FICCI Frames with a UKTI-supported group.”

Mr Harris said: “The visit made me appreciate the world of customers potentially interested in what MiShorts had to offer.”

UKTI said that the breakthrough came when Mr Harris commissioned an Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) report on the Indian market from UKTI staff in Mumbai.

He then met key contacts identified in the report.

Mr Harris said: “This is where UKTI really adds value.

“I know my business pretty well but what UKTI have is knowledge of the market and expertise on the ground.

“The quality and relevance of the contacts and meetings they arranged for me were first rate.

“I met the right people, at the right level, in major telecoms companies and distribution partners.”

One of the meetings was with Vodafone Essar.

As a result Mr Harris signed a distribution agreement earlier this year to supply short films to Vodafone Essar’s South Asian mobile network of 130 million subscribers.

He said: “That first trip to India, and everything that has followed, has been the saviour of MiShorts.

“On its own, the UK simply couldn’t sustain our paid-for download business model, and we would have had to close.

“But now, as we extend our business into VoD markets in a variety of emerging economies, we are ahead of the curve.”

Mr Harris also has deals in Singapore and Brazil in his sights.

Mr Baird said that his team at UKTI would use the Olympic year of 2012 to showcase British business to export markets.

He said: “Exporters contribute 60 per cent of UK productivity growth. Exports play a vital part in our national prosperity.

“We are living through a difficult economic climate, with slow UK growth and uncertainty throughout Europe.

“The good news, however, is that the UK is home to many successful businesses.

“British companies have never before been more export-aware.

“Over the last 12 months UKTI assisted 24,000 companies to explore opportunities abroad.

“There are good reasons why more UK businesses have started exporting. Statistics show that exporters become more productive, more resilient and more profitable.

“No business can afford to sit still.

“When I worked overseas I saw for myself the opportunities that existed for British companies, particularly in emerging and high-growth markets.

“Next year will see even more British businesses take advantage of these exciting prospects.

“As hosts of the Olympics, the UK will have a unique opportunity to showcase our talented businesses to overseas investors.

“UK Trade & Investment can help businesses take advantage of this occasion.

“We already offer free trade advice to companies looking to export and have a range of other services to help businesses better understand overseas markets.

“2012 will be the year when we not only showcase British sporting talent but also our businesses prowess to the rest of the world.”