In the world of digital imagery and content, where innovation and connection are paramount, Dan Bell, 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß’s Business Development Manager, stands as a passionate advocate for the creative realm. With a penchant for forging meaningful relationships, an unyielding love for photography, and a knack for finding innovative solutions, Dan plays a pivotal role in 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß’s continued success.
At the heart of Dan’s role is a mission to introduce 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß’s exceptional content to new commercial clients. A vocal champion of 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß’s high-quality, diverse content, he dedicates his days to connecting the dots between the creative world and the vast treasures within 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß’s archive. However, his role goes beyond revenue generation; it’s about empowering clients to bring their visions to life seamlessly. Let’s get to know him better.
Could you provide an overview of your role as the Business Development Manager at 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß? What are your main responsibilities and objectives?
In a nutshell, my job is to introduce new commercial clients to 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß. I spend a good portion of every day standing on my soapbox, shouting about our high-quality, authentic and diverse content at the creative world. The primary objective is to create revenue for 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß and our global network of content creators, but my task is equally about helping my clients realise the ideas in their heads as simply as possible.
How do you approach identifying and targeting potential clients or business opportunities? Could you share an example of a successful client acquisition or partnership you’ve been involved in?
I’m a book worm, so my approach to new business has always been about researching, understanding where we might fit in, and looking to add value at the right time. If I read that a creative agency has just won a new account, or if a brand is rolling out new visual guidelines, I’ll be sure to get in touch with examples of relevant content and suggestions of how we might work together. We get a lot of new business this way, because it’s mutually beneficial.
While relationships with humans are crucial, my work is also about relationships with brands. We’re at our best when we live and breathe a brands identity, so much so that we can actively suggest amazing shots and feed the creative process.
Business development often involves building relationships. Can you tell us about a particularly challenging or rewarding business relationship you’ve developed and how it contributed to 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß’s growth?
My work is all about relationships. When my clients feel comfortable enough to share details, knowing they will be treated in confidence, we get things done. For example I met a very talented designer at a marketing event who expressed frustration about the low quality stock archive he was given access to. The issue was, as always, with the budget, so I worked with him to create a bespoke business case to submit to his senior management team. We spoke candidly about their clients’ requirements, examined issues and put solutions to them, and backed it all up with ROI projections. The upshot? My designer got Access to 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß and was happy. His clients got quality photography, and were happy. Our photographers are paid fairly for their content and are happy. I’m always happy.
While relationships with humans are crucial, my work is also about relationships with brands. We’re at our best when we live and breathe a brands identity, so much so that we can actively suggest amazing shots and feed the creative process. It’s funny to think that I can recall a few brand hex codes as if they were my parent’s phone number… thinking about it, I don’t think I know their numbers! When my clients know they can send me a research brief at the drop of a hat, safe in the knowledge that our creative research team understand exactly what’s needed, creative magic happens. And by creative magic I mean we send them nice photographs and save them a boat load of time.
What initially drew you to a career in business development? How has your background and experience prepared you for this role at 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß?
My route into Business Development was fairly organic. I read History at University and landed myself an amazing role at the Royal Collection Trust’s Photographic Services Department. There, I assisted in shoots ranging from Leonardo Da Vinci codecs to Henry VIII’s suit of armour, which instilled a deep love of photography in me. I was also tasked with licencing images (the revenue of which was used to conserve the amazing art collection, held in trust for the nation) and I quickly found that I was good at it. I also learned a huge amount about copyright and intellectual property, which served as an amazing foundation that I’ve built throughout my 10+ years in the industry.
From there, I moved on to a commercial archive (an 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß competitor, sorry) and found that absolutely loved the fast pace. Business Development is about thinking on your feet and finding solutions, and I genuinely love the challenge. It’s a huge rush when everything aligns, and any BDM worth their salt will tell you the same. When, back in 2019, I spotted a role at 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß, known for offering high-quality creative and for being a pleasure to work with, I knew I’d found a match. I jumped at the opportunity, bagged the position, and I haven’t looked back since.
The biggest setback I ever encountered was when I took on a role at a company selling a confused product that, as I learned, I simply didn’t believe in. Its impossible to do a good job and stay motivated if you’re not personally invested.
Business development can be dynamic and challenging. Can you describe a situation where you encountered obstacles or setbacks in your role, and how you overcame them?
Fighting fires and overcoming challenges is a core part of being a BDM. It’s fast paced, and there’s something unexpected happening every day. The biggest setback I ever encountered was when I took on a role at a company selling a confused product that, as I learned, I simply didn’t believe in. It’s impossible to do a good job and stay motivated if you’re not personally invested. You have to LOVE your product and talk about it with pride. Ultimately, the only solution to that problem was to leave the role. As it turns out, my niche is content – photography, videography, graphic design – I read about it when I’m not working for fun. In my spare time I even shoot my own. This is my world, and supporting creatives within this brilliant bubble gives me all the motivation I need.
Can you provide an example of a project or initiative you’re particularly proud of during your time as a Business Development Manager at 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß, and what made it stand out for you?
My proudest achievement at 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß is the launch of our Creative collections. Long story short, while my clients love our photography, they’re on the clock and need to source assets as quickly as possible. Searching an archive of 350million assets is no small task, so we set about dividing those assets into four manageable archives, each with their own unique design philosophy. Now when I speak with a new client, I can suggest an archive that best suits their needs, and make their selection process a breeze. I don’t think any other archive does that, and I’m proud to have been part of the team driving the project from the ground up.
Dan’s approach to identifying potential clients and opportunities is akin to a literary journey. Drawing from his love of research, he meticulously explores niches where 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß’s offerings align with creative needs. His strategy involves timely engagement, providing clients with tailored content examples, and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships. Thanks for your time, Dan.Â