Tees Business Tees Business Issue 21 | Page 39

TE CH On the rise - Ryze CEO David Smith is committed to finding clients who share the company's values. Behind S Ryze tockton-based Ryze is a local agency with big ambitions. Based in Northshore's Fusion Hive, the agency uses a combination of strategy, brand and UX design to provide clients with an all-encompassing digital experience that will transform their business. CEO and founder David Smith says the firm has been growing at speed since it launched in 2018 and is developing an “incredible client base”. With national brands such as Bellway Homes and regional success stories such as Datum360 investing in new online experiences, it’s clear to see that Ryze’s services are being sought-after. “When I initially launched the business, I thought our success would be defined by achieving revenue targets and team growth but fast forward, and I've realised that's really somebody else’s idea of success,” says David. “For us, being able to work on ambitious projects where we share the same values as the client is what motivates us. Their success is, therefore, ours and being recognised for adding that kind of value is what helps us progress too. “From the start, we set out to position ourselves differently. We're not a website company, we're so much more than that. “We help businesses grow, raising brand awareness and reputation, increasing their sales and telling their story through digital brand experiences.” How the digital experience agency is helping businesses grow Ryze CEO David Smith (left) with Ryze does this developer Alex Nicholson. through a deep strategic understanding of the client's business, protecting what they’ve developed while progressing them to the next level. “Our ambition runs right through our team and every aspect of what we do; we want our work to excite and it's the company’s people that engage and be game- make all the difference. It's why changing at every opportunity,” adds Ryze is building an agency that is David. centred around recruiting the very “While we are based in the Tees best in the industry. Made up of Valley, we work with clients locally, motivated strategists, designers nationally and globally. It doesn't and developers, each person is matter to us where they are based. encouraged to bring their passionate What matters is that they are ideas and insights to projects. ambitious, value their brand and Alex Nicholson, a developer who the impact we can make working joined the team last year, said: together.” “What I especially like about working Ryze is passionate about helping here is the fact that we are always brands to prioritise the digital encouraged to reach out of our customer experience. comfort zones to create our very “A digital presence is essential. But best work. many businesses are not reaping the “Standards are high and this helps benefits,” says David. us develop further, which means we “Some are not even aware of are all continually progressing to be the opportunities available and the the very best in the industry. positive effect it can have on growth. “The nature of our work is fun and Merely creating an off-the-shelf the projects we work on are varied website isn't enough for customers and exciting, but we are always anymore and we often witness brand striving to be innovative and one step values being lost or ignored when ahead of anyone's expectations.” translated to online and other digital platforms. It’s crucial that a brand message is consistent and seamless More information about Ryze can be between both physical and digital found at ryzeagency.co.uk. You can get experiences.” in touch with the team on 01642 955872 The agency recognises that or email [email protected]. The voice of business in the Tees region | 39