Derek Handley

Derek Handley (born 1978 in Hong Kong) is a New Zealand entrepreneur, speaker and author. Derek attended Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand), Massey University (New Zealand) and the MIT Sloan School of Management.

In 2011, he was named to the 'Silicon Alley 100' of the most influential technology people in New York^[1] as well as a World Class New Zealander.^[2] Derek is a former New Zealand Herald Business Leader of the Year and Ernst & Young Young Entrepreneur of the Year in New Zealand.^[3] In 2011 Handley was named a New Zealand 2011 Leader by the Sir Peter Blake Trust.^[4] He co-founded global mobile marketing and media company, The Hyperfactory^[5] and is also co-founder and Chairman of mobile advertising network, Snakk Media, which listed on the NZX in 2013, becoming one of the first publicly listed B-Corporations in the world.^[6]

In December 2011, Handley donated a year of his life to help Sir Richard Branson, Founder of the Virgin Group, Jean Oelwang, CEO of Virgin Unite and Jochen Zeitz, former Chairman of Puma, to create what is now The B Team.^[7]

The B Team is a not-for-profit initiative formed by a global group of leaders to create a future where the purpose of business is to be a driving force for social, environmental and economic benefit. As Founding CEO Derek helped grow the team from two to sixteen leaders including Israeli billionairre and philanthropist Shari Arison, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, CEO of the UN Foundation Kathy Calvin, creator of The Huffington Post Arianna Huffington, founder of Tom's Shoes Blake Mycoskie, CEO of Kering (owner of brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci and Puma, François-Henri Pinault, CEO of Unilever Paul Polman, Ratan Tata. Former President of Ireland and head of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Mary Robinson and Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland former Prime Minister of Norway and developer of the broad political concept of sustainable development, are honorary members of the team, representing People and Planet.

In 2013 Derek was named an Adjunct Executive Professor for AUT University in Auckland.^[8] Derek also released his first book, ‘Heart to Start’, a memoir about the beginning of his own entrepreneurial journey, a practical field-guide and his journey to become a new type of entrepreneur who does business to have a positive impact on social or environmental problems.^[9] In 2013 he joined the board of directors of publicly listed Sky Television New Zealand, the largest media company in the country and one of the top 200 public companies on the Australian Stock Exchange.^[10]

Derek Handley and The Hyperfactory

In 2001, Handley founded global mobile marketing and media company The Hyperfactory^[11] with his brother Geoffrey Handley. According to the Company's website, The Hyperfactory claims to "power brands and businesses through the mobile medium" for clients such as BlackBerry and Coca Cola. In July 2009 the company was sold to Des Moines, Iowa-based media and marketing company Meredith Corporation (NYSE:MDP).^[12]

The Hyperfactory won six Webby Awards in 2009^[13] placing them second in the inaugural 'Global Webby Agency of the Year' award. The company was nominated for more awards in the Global Mobile Marketing Association Awards in 2007 than any other company in the world^[14] and won two. In 2008 The Hyperfactory won the most awards (five) ^[15] including two global categories. The company has also won the top awards Best in Show at 2007 OMMA Awards and Best in Show at 2007 AdWeek Awards.^[16]

The Hyperfactory is also the winner of numerous Cannes Lions (Grand Prix Media Lion & Bronze Lion 2007, Cannes Media Lions Gold 2007), Clios, Mobile Marketing Association, Marketing-Interative 2010 Agency of the year – Mobile 2010,^[17] IDC’S TOP 10 Wireless Companies to watch in America 2007^[18] Effie's, DMA, OMMA, Deloitte Fast 500 Asia Pacific (2004, 2005), AdTech and Webby awards, including AdAge Top 15 Mobile Agencies 2012 and the iMedia Mobile Agency of the Year for both 2011 and 2013^[19]

Other ventures

Handley, with brother Geoff, also co-founded mobile & 'smart screen' advertising business Snakk Media He stepped down as Chair in September 2015.^[20] He was also previously Chair of Booktrack, a company that has created the idea of soundtracks for books; is also backed by Peter Thiel and described by The Atlantic as 'the future of reading'.^[21]

Prior to launching The Hyperfactory, Handley founded a global online sports and racing betting business, Feverpitch. At the age of 22, Handley became New Zealand's youngest managing director^[22] of a listed company when he led Feverpitch to list on the venture-style 'New Capital Market' of the New Zealand Stock Exchange. The company subsequently launched 'betting exchanges' around the world similar to the business Betfair but eventually floundered.

In 2003, Handley led a merger of several major players in the New Zealand childcare sector to form Kidicorp^[23] Group Limited. The company was listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange as the largest national operator with more than 75 childcare centres throughout the country.

Handley is a huge proponent of the taste and cost efficiencies found in the consumption of ramen noodles. He is an aspiring astronaut having purchased a ticket on Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic.^[24]

Handley is an active speaker in the entrepreneurship, marketing and digital industry, having spoken at events around the world including ad:tech, Mobile Marketing Association Forums, OMMA, iMedia, Informa, CTIA, Consumer Electronics Show, Mobile Entertainment Forum, iHollywood and Webstock and Better by Design in New Zealand.

Awards and Honours

· In September 2006, Derek was a finalist in the Bayer Innovator Awards (Information Technology and Communications Category). "Bayer Innovator Awards: Information Technology and Communications". NBR. New Zealand. 2007-09-11. Retrieved 2016-08-04. 

· In October 2009, Handley received the 2009 EY Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Hunter, Tim (2009-10-25). "Young entrepreneur goes global". Sunday Star Times. New Zealand. Retrieved 2016-08-04. 

· In December 2010, Derek was named finalist for the New Zealand Herald Business Leader of the Year. Twose, Helen (2010-12-10). "Business Leader of the Year 2010 Finalist: Derek Handley". NZ Herald. Retrieved 2016-08-04. 

· In October 2011, Handley was listed on the 'Silicon Alley 100' of the most influential technology people in New York. "2011 Silicon Alley 100: A-Z Order". Business Insider. 2011-10-05. Retrieved 2016-08-04.  and "The Complete 2011 Silicon Alley 100 List: RANKED!". Business Insider. 2011-10-13. Retrieved 2016-08-04. . That same year he was named a New Zealand 2011 Sir Peter Blake Leader by the Sir Peter Blake Trust "The Blake Leader Alumni". The Sir Peter Blake Trust. 2011. Retrieved 2016-08-04. , and became a World Class New Zealander. "World Class New Zealand". Export New Zealand. 2011. Retrieved 2016-08-04. 

· In March 2015, Handley was named one of 100 visionary leaders by the Young Presidents' Organization, "Derek Handley, Serial entrepreneur". Real Leaders. 2015-03-27. Retrieved 2016-08-04. . a global network of business leaders from more than 130 countries who have achieved success at an early age. "About YPO". YPO. Retrieved 2016-08-04. 

· In April 2015 Derek was year named a Distinguished Young Alumni of Victoria University of Wellington (Wellington, New Zealand). "Victoria honours distinguished alumni". Victoria University. 2015-04-15. Retrieved 2016-08-04. 

· In September 2015 he was named in the world’s top 100 influential leaders by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business a global accrediting body and membership association for business schools. "Influential Leaders". AACSB International. Retrieved 2016-08-04.  "Victoria alumnus named in world's top 100 influential leaders". AACSB International. 2015-09-22. Retrieved 2016-08-04. 

· In November 2015 he was named one of the top 10 most influential social entrepreneurs on Twitter (by Chivas’ The Venture, US). "Top Ten: Most Influential Social Entrepreneurs on Twitter". The Venture. 2015. Retrieved 2016-08-04. 

References