Geoffrey Handley

Geoffrey Handley is an entrepreneur, investor and co-founder of The Hyperfactory. Handley was born in Hong Kong in 1975, the oldest of three siblings. Handley's mother is of Malay, Arab and Chinese ancestry, and his father is Scottish. As a 5th generation born Hong Kong native, he calls both New Zealand and Hong Kong home. His cousin is Hong Kong Cantopop singer Aarif Rahman.

He is currently serving as an advisor, board member, angel investor and partner to the ENIAC Venture Fund. Handley's most well known as co-founder of the mobile agency,^[1] The Hyperfactory^[2] founded in 2001 with his brother Derek Handley.

Handley was also a founding team member of Asia's intranet development agency, Pacific Connections, subsequently acquired by CHINA.COM (HSI:8006). He is also co-founder, with his brother Derek, and advisor 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.^[3]

Geoffrey Handley and The Hyperfactory

In 2001, Handley founded global mobile marketing and media company The Hyperfactory with his brother Derek. 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 founders sold a 19.9% stake to Des Moines, Iowa based media and marketing company Meredith Corporation.^[4] The valuation was not disclosed; the New Zealand Herald cites a valuation range of NZ$55–60m.^[5] In 2010Meredith Corporation acquired the remainder.

As the most awarded mobile agency globally, The Hyperfactory won six Webby Awards in 2009^[6] 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^[7] than any other company in the world. At the 2008 Global Mobile Marketing Association Awards,^[8] The Hyperfactory won the most awards (five) including two global categories. 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,^[9] IDC’S TOP 10 Wireless Companies to watch in America 2007,^[10] Effie's, DMA, OMMA, Deloitte Fast 500 Asia Pacific (2004, 2005),^[11] AdTech^[12] and Webby awards, including AdAge Top 15 Mobile Agencies 2012 and iMedia Mobile Agency of the Year 2011,^[13] finalist in 2012 and 2013.

Contribution to the Industry

Having actively served the mobile industry globally since 2000, appearing, keynoting and participating in events including Ad:Tech, Mobile Marketing Association Forums, OMMA, iMedia, Informa, CTIA, Consumer Electronics Show, Mobile Entertainment Forum, Geoffrey has made great contributions. He has conducted high intensity executive workshops with corporate clients across the USA and South East Asia, including P&G, GOME, Haier, Samsung, Unilever, Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, Nokia, Toyota and Motorola. He has been invited to serve on global jury and judging panels including the Webbys, the Mobile Marketing Association, Effie's and the Inaugural Mobile Jury at the 2012 Cannes Lions.^[14]

In addition to being a sought after speaker, panelist, and futurist, Geoffrey has receivied the recognition from his peers for his contributions to the industry in the form of the MIN Online 21 Most Intriguing People in Media 2011,^[15] was appointed to the Global list of Top Ten Mobile Thinkers (2011)^[16] by influential mobile industry body DotMobi, and was named one of the 40 Most Influential People in New Zealand Telecommunications (2004, 2005). His startups have also been honored as one of 100 Brilliant Companies by Entrepreneur.com in 2010.^[17]

He has also held the positions of Global Board Director - Global Secretary Mobile Marketing Association (2009 – 2010^[18]), Executive Board Member - North America Mobile Marketing Association (2012 – 2012^[19]) and Founding Executive Board Director - Asia Pacific Chapter Treasurer, Secretary Mobile Marketing Association (January 2007 – 2010^[20]). He has served on the iMedia Breakthrough Summit 2012 - Advisory Board & Judging Panel^[21] and the iMedia Agency Summit 2012 - Advisory Board (2012^[22]).

Other Ventures

Geoffrey is currently working with the start-up and investment community in the USA and Greater China to further the advancement of disruptive technologies and platforms. He is an active founder, investor, and advisor to numerous startups including his role as Co-founder of Australasia's leading mobile advertising agency, Snakk Media (NZX:SNK) successfully listed on the New Zealand stock exchange in 2013. In addition, he is a Founding General Partner of China Scot Fund^[23] (2013) which is an early stage investment and consulting practice focused on advancing disruptive digital technology, investor to IMRSV (2013 NYC), investor to Booktrack (2011 Greater New York City Area), investor and advisor to We&Co (2011 Greater Atlanta Area), advisor to Media & Marketing Technology Council in Manhattan (2011) and a limited partner and advisor to ENIAC Ventures (2010 New York).

References