Martin Cid's Blog: Martin Cid Magazine, page 1054

HBO selects three emerging directors for 2016 HBOAccess Directing Fellowship

HBO has selected the three emerging directors to participate in the 2016 HBOAccess Directing Fellowship.  Now in its second year, the program provides one on one mentorship with an HBO creative executive, education about the craft and business of directing, and a $100k budget to shoot a short presentation for HBO with a professional crew.  The winners will participate in the workshop in July, shoot their presentation in August, and finish up post-production by the end of September.

 

Kate Marks was a Project Involve fellow at Film Independent where she received the Barbara Boyle Award.  She began making films after working as a playwright, theatre director, and performer in New York City. Her award winning short films (Pearl Was Here, Homebody, 7 Day Gig, and Miracle Maker) continue to screen all over the world.  Highlights include Slamdance, Edinburgh International Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, Mill Valley, and broadcasting on PBS.  She is a graduate of CalArts (MFA) and Brown University (BA).

Additionally Kate teaches filmmaking in public schools, prisons, senior centers, and parks. Her work with a wide range of students can be felt in her stories, which focus on the need to be witnessed.

 

Pete Chatmon’s debut feature, “Premium”, starred Dorian Missick, Zoe Saldana, and Hill Harper and premiered on Showtime after a limited theatrical run. Chatmon also wrote, produced, and directed “761st”, a documentary on the first black tank battalion in WWII, narrated by Andre Braugher. Chatmon received the Tribeca Film Institute “All Access” Program’s Creative Promise Narrative Award for the heist screenplay “$FREE.99”, written in collaboration with Candice Sanchez McFarlane. Through Double7 Images, his Digital Studio, he has directed content for ad agencies, Porsche, Proctor & Gamble, Lenovo, Universal Pictures, and other brands. Chatmon’s career began in 2001 with the Sundance selection of his NYU thesis film, “3D”, starring Kerry Washington. His current project, the short film “Black Card”, began traveling the international film festival circuit in Spring/Summer 2015 and premiered on HBO in February 2016.

 

Kevin Lau is a writer/director who is a recent fellow of the Sony Pictures Television Diverse Directors Program and CAPE New Writers Fellowship. A graduate of Columbia University’s MFA program, his thesis film, MADE IN CHINATOWN, swept the NBCUniversal Short Film Festival–winning Best Short, Best Writing, and Best Actor–and has gone on to screen in exhibitions at the New Americans Museum, Glass Curtain Gallery, and in classrooms at UCLA and Emerson College. Kevin is a proud native of Los Angeles and credits the culturally diverse city for shaping the stories he tells.

 

“We had well over 800 submissions so narrowing the list down to the top eight finalists was incredibly difficult,” says HBO’s Head of Talent Development, Kelly Edwards.  “No one can say the talent isn’t out there.  We saw some excellent films.  All these directors need some exposure and the chance to get in a room with the decision makers.”

 

Marks, Chatmon, and Lau will each direct a pilot presentation for the premium channel this summer with material work-shopped through the 2015 HBOAccess Writing Fellowship.  Pete Chatmon will be directing LADY BOUNCER by Sarah McChesney, Kate Marks will helm MANIC by Yolanda Carney, and Kevin Lau will take on F**ked Up by Joshua Levy and Prathi Srinivasan.

 

Edwards is enthusiastic about the innovative approach HBO is taking with this year’s program. “We are incredibly excited about introducing a new element to our process by marrying our writing and directing programs.  Since we are developing great material, the best possible outcome is to move it into production.”

 

Rounding out the talented group of top 8 directing fellowship finalists were Marielle Woods, Steve Acevedo, Susana Casares, Danielle Katvan, and Moon Molson.

Bill Simmons’ lineup for tonight’s show

ANY GIVEN WEDNESDAY WITH BILL SIMMONS,

WEEKLY TALK SHOW SPANNING POP CULTURE AND SPORTS,

CONTINUES WITH A NEW EPISODE JULY 6, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO;

GUESTS INCLUDE JOE ROGAN, CHRIS BOSH AND ANTHONY ANDERSON

 

ANY GIVEN WEDNESDAY WITH BILL SIMMONS, a weekly talk show hosted by one of the most influential figures in contemporary sports media, continues its 20-show season WEDNESDAY, JULY 6 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT), followed by other new episodes subsequent Wednesdays at the same time, exclusively on HBO. Guests include comedian Joe Rogan, NBA star Chris Bosh and actor Anthony Anderson.

Spanning pop culture and touching on everything from sports and entertainment to arts and technology, the show features intimate conversations with compelling guests, as well as field segments and Simmons’ signature commentary on current events.

Other HBO playdates: July 7 (9:30 a.m., 8:00 p.m., 12:20 a.m.), 8 (11:45 a.m., 11:00 p.m.), 9 (10:05 p.m.) and 10 (10:30 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: July 6 (11:00 p.m.), 7 (9:00 a.m.), 9 (11:30 a.m.), 11 (2:05 a.m.) and 12 (11:05 p.m.)

ANY GIVEN WEDNESDAY WITH BILL SIMMONS is also available on HBO NOW, HBO GO and HBO On Demand, as well as other affiliate portals.

The show is part of a major exclusive multi-year, multi-platform agreement with HBO that was announced in 2015. Making HBO Simmons’ exclusive television home, the deal provides for a comprehensive partnership on a variety of platforms between the network and Simmons, the founding editor of Grantland.com and the creator of the new content site The Ringer.

ANY GIVEN WEDNESDAY WITH BILL SIMMONS is executive produced by Bill Simmons, Eric Weinberger and Stuart Miller.

How long can you hold out against the Superbugs? New mobile game takes on threat of global antibiotic resistance

Superbugs gameplay

A new game released today, Superbugs sees players face off against a major threat to global health. Launched by theLongitude Prize – a five year, £10 million challenge to tackle the issue of antibiotic resistance – Superbugs challenges players to destroy mutant bacteria until new antibiotics can be discovered to replenish humanity’s precious and dwindling supplies.

Developed by BAFTA-winning applied games studio, Preloaded, Superbugs is a unique game with a purpose as players have to survive against drug-resistant bacteria. Available for mobile today through the App Store and Google Play.

With its petri dish filled with colourful bacterial colonies, the game comes straight from today’s headlines: the global rise of superbugs, antibiotic resistant bacteria which can’t be killed by the drugs we rely on to fight the infections they cause. It’s estimated that by 2050 bacteria like these could kill up to 10 million people every year, according to a recent expert report.

To address this threat, The Longitude Prize is focused on the creation of an innovative diagnostic test which can reduce the unnecessary use of antibiotics, helping slow down resistance and preserve them. Launched in 2014, the Challenge it is open to entries from innovators around the world and runs until 2019, although a winning solution for the multi million-pound Prize could be found before then.

Tamar Ghosh, spokesperson for the Longitude Prize said: “We know that our daily behaviours – like sharing and overusing antibiotics – can lead to bacteria becoming drug-resistant, so it’s really important that we increase awareness around this huge issue. It’s especially important to reach young people and games like this are a fantastic way of doing just that.”

The award-winning* Superbugs lets new audiences explore and understand the scientific concepts at the heart of one of the biggest threats humanity faces through self-directed experiences of active and engaging play. The game is designed by the studio behind the hit Science Museum mobile game ‘Rugged Rovers’, Preloaded creates games which empower, educate and transform behaviour.

“Superbugs takes the complex science behind the spread of antibiotic resistance in bacteria and models it as a casual mobile game that’s not only great fun to play but scientifically sound,” said Phil Stuart, Creative Director of Preloaded. “Games are the perfect medium to reach millions of people and make complex ideas understandable.”

The game is available for download at longitudeprize.org/superbugs

Fisher Tomlin & Bowyer win Gold and Best in Show at RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

he Bowel Disease UK garden

The Bowel Disease UK garden for Crohn’s Disease designed byFisher Tomlin & Bowyer has scooped the top award at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2016.

Andrew Fisher Tomlin said “this garden was inspired by the fact that Crohn’s Disease is a life threatening condition that especially effects young people but we wanted to show how they can still live vibrant and full lives with the support of families and charities like Bowel Disease UK through this garden.” He added “ we have had amazing support from the horticulture and landscape industry to achieve this on a tiny budget for which we are very grateful.”

The garden has been designed for a young gardener who likes to collect more unusual and interesting plants than would normally be expected in a UK garden but all of them are hardy and will thrive in a mild climate. The judges particularly singled out the design and quality of the plants as well as the standard of construction, awarding the garden perfect marks. Smartscape Cardiff who constructed the garden have been short listed for the Contractor’s award.

Bowel Disease UK Chairman Gary Douch said “this garden is a perfect platform to engage with families affected by Crohn’s Disease and especially because we are this week launching a crowd funding campaign to raise funds for new research into this debilitating condition.”

The garden will be at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show until Sunday 10th July and elements will be rebuilt in two different gardens in the summer.

Jane Geary joins Magenta Technology as Marketing Manager

Jane Geary joins Magenta Technology

London, 05 July 2016: Jane Geary has been appointed Marketing Manager by Magenta Technology; the company behind the dynamic route management software Maxoptra and the private hire dispatch solution Echo. Geary brings more than twelve years’ experience within the transport and logistics sector, gained as Marketing Manager at Paragon Software Systems, to Magenta. Geary will take responsibility for the planning, management and execution of both online and offline marketing strategies and campaigns, and will work closely with the company’s sales and development teams, external suppliers and expanding global client base.

“We have spent many years developing technologically advanced routing, scheduling and dispatch solutions and it is now time to accelerate how we promote them to the market place,” commented Anton Dmitriev, CEO of Magenta Technology. “Jane is a dynamic and dedicated marketing professional with a wealth of relevant industry experience. Here at Magenta, Jane’s role will be to promote our advanced routing, scheduling and dispatch planning solutions to the market place while working with the team to identify and maximise future business growth opportunities. I am confident Jane will quickly find her place as an integral member of the senior management team.”

Geary joins Magenta Technology from Medtronic, the world’s largest medical devices company and original inventor of the pacemaker, prior to which she held the position of Marketing Manager at Paragon Software Systems. During her time with Paragon, a pioneer of routing and scheduling planning software in the UK, Geary was responsible for implementing the marketing strategy for both Paragon’s UK and US businesses. She has also held positions with Firefly, a leading public relations agency, and the Lafferty Group, a provider of advanced knowledge services for the worldwide financial industry.

“This is an exciting time to be joining a vibrant company like Magenta,” added Geary. “I am looking forward to working with the excellent team already in place to deliver and promote our dynamic, cloud-based routing, scheduling and dispatch solutions to the field service, distribution and private hire sectors.”

Outsourced customer contact centre launches ‘Digital’ division to offer new, measurable and affordable social media management services

Ventrica Digital

Southend, UK, 5th July 2016 – One of Essex’s fastest growing businesses, outsourced contact centre Ventrica based in Southend has announced today the launch of sister company,Ventrica Digital. The new business will be dedicated to providing a new type and range of customised and results-driven social management services to UK organisations, from SMEs (Small to Medium sized enterprises) through to large blue chip brands.

Managing Director and founder of Ventrica, Dino Forte commented, “As an outsourced contact centre we are already providing omni-channel customer service for some of the UK’s fastest growing businesses and leading global brands but realised there was a gap in the market to provide a more complete and tailored digital service offering that covers everything from responding to customers via digital platforms through to content provision, review moderation and monitoring.

There are plenty of digital agencies out there, but very few come from an award-winning customer services background or have the resources to provide a 24/7 service with the option of multi-lingual* capabilities. With more and more businesses operating internationally, and more consumers wanting to buy on-line at any time of the day, it is now essential to offer expertise around the clock with response services across all popular media, whether via webchat, social, mobile, email or review moderation. The Ventrica Digital model is perfect for those companies that don’t have the specialist expertise or resources in-house, but still want to take advantage of the huge returns of harnessing social media and digital, that if used intelligently, can have a direct and measurable return on investment in the shape of sales, enhanced service levels and customer retention.”

74% of organisations plan to use social media to grow their business

According to latest research, 74% of organisations plan to incorporate a social media strategy to grow their business and tap into new customer bases and social media users have risen by 176 Million in the last year.

Manage, monitor, report, grow and increase reach via digital platforms

Ventrica’s range of different services are designed to manage, monitor, report, grow and increase reach on all social and digital platforms including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Google+, Tumblr, Pinterest and Vine. These are split into three packages aimed at different budgets and sizes of organisations starting from as little as £750 per month. All campaigns are bespoke to the organisation’s specific needs, rather than off-the-shelf.

Key business benefits of using Ventrica Digital

The key business benefits of using Ventrica Digital include:

– Increase brand awareness & market reach

– Generate new business leads through monitoring and engagement

– Open up new markets through ability to communicate with customers on any medium and through a choice of languages

– Grow your customer base and target new customers through strategic growth hacking plans

– Enhance service levels and retention across ALL channels

– Create up-sell opportunities

– Effective crisis management

– Let your customers sell for you by generating positive testimonials and nurturing influencers and brand advocates

– Boost web traffic, conversions and sales

– Keep customers engaged with fresh, regularly updated content

– Improve overall marketing results with joined up approach – integrating social content & social data with Ventrica’s CRM, CMS, analytic tech, & social listening platforms

– Update your accounts consistently to protect against security breaches

– Guaranteed quality control and rapid response times

Ricardo and Recycling Technologies to characterise plastic waste derived clean fuel

The RT7000

• Recycling Technologies’ highly innovative PlaxxTM fuel is created from residual mixed plastic waste that is not amenable to direct recycling and would otherwise go to landfill. The company is working with Ricardo to characterise the use of this recycled, low sulphur fuel as a substitute for fossil based heavy fuel oil (HFO) and diesel in applications such as power generation and marine propulsion

Swindon, 5th July 2016 – In the European Union alone, more than 25 million tonnes of post-consumer waste plastic is produced each year. Of this huge quantity of material, only 26 percent is recycled, with 36 percent going for incineration, while the remaining 38 percent contributes to the ever expanding problem of landfill. In addition to the loss of its material value, the carbon cost of processing this mixed waste is considerable, not least due to transportation, as many regions and states export their mixed plastic waste due to a lack of localised processing facilities. To help address this global issue, Recycling Technologies has developed a machine (RT7000) and is industrialising a process to convert residual plastic waste into a low sulphur hydrocarbon compound known as PlaxxTM. This can be used as a petrochemical feedstock, a manufacturing commodity such as paraffin wax, or as a clean and more sustainable fuel substitute for fossil-based HFO, which also displaces imported oil.

In the project announced today, Ricardo will work with Recycling Technologies to assess the relative performance of PlaxxTM, HFO and diesel when used in an engine of the type and scale typical of power generation or marine propulsion applications. The Ricardo Atlas II research engine will be used for this work: this advanced test engine is capable of efficiently evaluating the performance of fuels in large, multi-cylinder engine designs ranging from 150-200 mm bore and representing engines in the class 0.5 to 5 MW, in a single power cylinder. This can result in a reduction exceeding 90 percent of the test fuel consumed in a typical research or development project.

In the early stages of the Recycling Technologies project, a thorough review of the properties of PlaxxTM as a combustion engine fuel will be carried out in order that a comprehensive test plan can be developed. Back-to-back testing of PlaxxTM against diesel and HFO will then be undertaken over a range of loads using the Atlas II engine. Combustion characterisation will also be trialled based on the measured in-cylinder pressure, power, specific fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. This will help to fully understand the behaviour of PlaxxTM in this type of engine and enable the further refinement of engine and fuel settings for maximum efficiency and low emissions.

“Finding solutions to landfill diversion is a critical challenge facing modern society,” commented Dr Adam Read, Ricardo Energy & Environment practice director for resource efficiency & waste management. “The ability to generate fuels and recover plastics is key to the sustainable management of the world’s resources. As such, assessing the viability of the process during the pilot phase is an exciting and potentially ground-breaking step for Ricardo and the team from Recycling Technologies.”

Adrian Griffiths, CEO Recycling Technologies commented: “The marine industry is a key market as the use of high sulphur oil is increasingly being restricted. Working together with Ricardo on this project, we are now taking steps to get Plaxx™ qualified so that it is fit for use in medium and large marine engines. Plaxx™ is an ultra-low sulphur feedstock and can be adapted for use in any markets where crude oil derivatives are used. Through this pilot project, we hope to qualify Plaxx™ as meeting the new global MARPOL requirements.”

Recycling Technologies has funded its extensive R&D projects through various government funding organisations, including the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) and the Energy Catalyst grant with the University of West England (UWE), funded by Innovate UK. There has been additional support from other government funding organisations, such as the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.• Recycling Technologies’ highly innovative PlaxxTM fuel is created from residual mixed plastic waste that is not amenable to direct recycling and would otherwise go to landfill. The company is working with Ricardo to characterise the use of this recycled, low sulphur fuel as a substitute for fossil based heavy fuel oil (HFO) and diesel in applications such as power generation and marine propulsion

Swindon, 5th July 2016 – In the European Union alone, more than 25 million tonnes of post-consumer waste plastic is produced each year. Of this huge quantity of material, only 26 percent is recycled, with 36 percent going for incineration, while the remaining 38 percent contributes to the ever expanding problem of landfill. In addition to the loss of its material value, the carbon cost of processing this mixed waste is considerable, not least due to transportation, as many regions and states export their mixed plastic waste due to a lack of localised processing facilities. To help address this global issue, Recycling Technologies has developed a machine (RT7000) and is industrialising a process to convert residual plastic waste into a low sulphur hydrocarbon compound known as PlaxxTM. This can be used as a petrochemical feedstock, a manufacturing commodity such as paraffin wax, or as a clean and more sustainable fuel substitute for fossil-based HFO, which also displaces imported oil.

In the project announced today, Ricardo will work with Recycling Technologies to assess the relative performance of PlaxxTM, HFO and diesel when used in an engine of the type and scale typical of power generation or marine propulsion applications. The Ricardo Atlas II research engine will be used for this work: this advanced test engine is capable of efficiently evaluating the performance of fuels in large, multi-cylinder engine designs ranging from 150-200 mm bore and representing engines in the class 0.5 to 5 MW, in a single power cylinder. This can result in a reduction exceeding 90 percent of the test fuel consumed in a typical research or development project.

In the early stages of the Recycling Technologies project, a thorough review of the properties of PlaxxTM as a combustion engine fuel will be carried out in order that a comprehensive test plan can be developed. Back-to-back testing of PlaxxTM against diesel and HFO will then be undertaken over a range of loads using the Atlas II engine. Combustion characterisation will also be trialled based on the measured in-cylinder pressure, power, specific fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. This will help to fully understand the behaviour of PlaxxTM in this type of engine and enable the further refinement of engine and fuel settings for maximum efficiency and low emissions.

“Finding solutions to landfill diversion is a critical challenge facing modern society,” commented Dr Adam Read, Ricardo Energy & Environment practice director for resource efficiency & waste management. “The ability to generate fuels and recover plastics is key to the sustainable management of the world’s resources. As such, assessing the viability of the process during the pilot phase is an exciting and potentially ground-breaking step for Ricardo and the team from Recycling Technologies.”

Adrian Griffiths, CEO Recycling Technologies commented: “The marine industry is a key market as the use of high sulphur oil is increasingly being restricted. Working together with Ricardo on this project, we are now taking steps to get Plaxx™ qualified so that it is fit for use in medium and large marine engines. Plaxx™ is an ultra-low sulphur feedstock and can be adapted for use in any markets where crude oil derivatives are used. Through this pilot project, we hope to qualify Plaxx™ as meeting the new global MARPOL requirements.”

Recycling Technologies has funded its extensive R&D projects through various government funding organisations, including the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) and the Energy Catalyst grant with the University of West England (UWE), funded by Innovate UK. There has been additional support from other government funding organisations, such as the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.

ADLV Survey Shows That 91% Of Hauliers Want Online CPC & Tacho Data Checking

Kevin Curtis, ADLV Technical Director

A survey of over 100 senior UK haulage fleet managers, conducted by the Association for Driving Licence Verification (www.ADLV.co.uk), has shown that 91% of respondents want CPC & Tacho data to be available alongside online driving licence checks. They also believe that its inclusion would eliminate the industry’s current but imprecise reliance on visual data checking. A further 90% felt that the availability of CPC and Tacho information would make their own monitoring of driver entitlement easier, by supporting existing HR systems and acting as a single point of reference.

The ADLV believes that the data, which is currently held by the DVSA and DVLA, could be easily made available alongside existing online driving licence data feeds. Should the data become available, the Association believes it would reduce employer risk, ensure a better-trained workforce and also improve road safety.

The survey also questioned whether not knowing the training status of drivers presented the respondents with a significant administrative challenge? In all, 75% of those surveyed felt that this was indeed a challenging issue and that automating training status data would help reduce the burden considerably. In all 80% of respondents agreed with the ADLV that access to the information would also benefit road safety, help them to remind drivers about compliance issues and to raise awareness of employee fraud risks.

Commenting on the survey, Kevin Curtis the ADLV’s Technical Director added, “This survey was conducted by our member companies over the last few months and reflects the views of 100 senior UK Haulage managers – many of whom come from fleets of over 100 vehicles. Quite simply, it highlights a significant demand for change. This data needs to be available, whether it’s used to improve compliance, training, licence administration or more broadly to increase road safety. We have forwarded the respondents’ views to the DVLA and are optimistic that they will look sympathetically upon our call to action.”

Leekes streamlines home deliveries with Maxoptra dynamic route scheduling software

Maxoptra routes Leekes’ home deliveries

London, 28 June 2016 – Dynamic delivery route planning software is allowing Leekes – one of the UK’s leading independent retailers – to automate its nationwide home delivery service. The online Maxoptra delivery route optimisation platform is helping Leekes to streamline the complex task of scheduling over a thousand deliveries of homewares and home improvement products every week across the UK. Integrated with the company’s sales order system, Maxoptra automatically processes order locations, produces optimised routes based on vehicle capacity and customer requests, and allows for the accurate calculation of ETAs.

Following a free trial of the Maxoptra platform, Leekes implemented the hosted solution without the need for external support, using the system’s openly published API (Application Programme Interface). Since then, Leekes estimates it has saved up to two hours planning time per day, which has allowed for additional deliveries to be scheduled and routes planned without extra resources. Leekes is confident Maxoptra will also facilitate improvements in customer service, with more accurate ETA notifications, shorter delivery windows and, in due course, an online delivery tracking service for customers.

“We are proud of our home delivery service and the feedback we receive tells us it is one of the reasons customers come back to us,” commented Simon Perrin, Distribution Manager at Leekes Ltd. “However, managing such a complex operation is time consuming, and as the company expands we needed to be able to increase the planning and delivery management function accordingly.”

Leekes currently operates a fleet of two-person Class 2 LGV vehicles from five regional operating centres. Delivering furniture, large home appliances and even complete kitchens, up to seven days a week to customers across the UK, Leekes is in the process of expanding its delivery service with a new regional operating centre coming online soon.

“Prior to the implementation of Maxoptra, the scheduling and route planning task was predominantly manual and overwhelmingly paper based,” continued Perrin. “Maxoptra easily integrated with our sales order system so we can now automatically export addresses and calculate routes in a matter of minutes. The intuitive drag and drop functionality means we can adjust to incorporate local knowledge or changing requirements, and the automatic production of delivery manifests, in order, by vehicle, is a real eye opener.”

Stuart Brunger, Head of Business Development at Magenta Technology, added, “The feedback we have received is that Maxoptra was easy to implement, easy to use and, even at this early stage, is delivering tangible results, and we are looking forward to working with Leekes to build on these early successes.”

Among Doctors Launches in U.K

Among Doctors Global Network

Among Doctors, an online-networking community for doctors has officially expanded into the U.K., providing an exclusive platform to collaborate, showcase work, and grow referral bases for licensed physicians.

The Athens-based platform, which is supported by the Microsoft Innovation Center, helps doctors connect with reliable colleagues of any specialty across the globe, giving them access to a wide range of knowledge and clinical evidence, shared by their peers, plus a repository of discussions on multiple specialties or medical topics, boosting trust among fellow doctors.

New users in the U.K. were able to start signing up in January. So far over 10% of the doctors who use the service already come from Britain. Numbers there, have been growing quickly.

Dr Chris Roseveare, consultant physician and former President of the Society for Acute Medicine in the U.K., has been using the service. He said: “Among doctors represents an exciting opportunity for clinicians across Europe to establish networks and discuss issues of relevance to our practice”. “The increasing complexity of medicine means that any initiative which helps us to share knowledge more widely should be supported, to help improve patient care.”

Among Doctors has been live in public beta since November 2015 and already counts its first hundreds of doctors from over 38 countries, mostly in Europe, and 42 medical specialties. The firm is funded with seed capital by angel investors. In April 2014, Among Doctors was awarded the 3rd prize at the Investors Pitch Showcase Contest by MIT Enterprise Forum of Greece.

Elena Barla, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer

“Doctors are increasingly interested in using social media for professional purposes, in order to network, share knowledge and get in touch with the international medical community. Knowledge should be shared across countries and economies, especially when it comes to saving lives. Among Doctors provides a global exclusive network of reliable, well-screened and quality profile licensed physicians, helping them exchange views and advice, as well as build their global referral base & network in a reliable and meaningful way.

“In U.K. we see a great opportunity, in part because doctors here tend to be among the most tech savvy and socially engaged in the European region. Knowledge sharing is a key part of the U.K. professional culture and this is what we are passionate to promote through our service. Moreover, it is now more important than ever to keep the communication channel open among British & European fellow doctors”.

Harris Lygidakis, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer

“The online professional peer groups created through this platform can offer informal and interdisciplinary learning, which can mitigate physicians isolation and burnout, as well as enhance the capacity building of an area or specialty, improving eventually the healthcare service.”

“An important aspect of the platform is the adaptation based on context. Physicians enjoy engaging in communities of collective learning, but on Among Doctors they can achieve more: they can adopt a truly glocal approach with the development of both international and regional networks that facilitate presenting global knowledge within local settings.”

About Among Doctors

Among Doctors is a global networking and collaboration platform that helps licensed physicians to:

● Grow their global professional network & referral base

● Collaborate, share knowledge and exchange opinions with reliable colleagues

● Showcase their work and views (e.g. presentations, articles, blog posts) within a global physicians community and increase their reputation

● Build their own, self-managed, private working groups with trusted colleagues

● Share, browse & discuss the most recent evidence-based resources at the point of care

The Among Doctors team is located across Europe and consists of highly skilled and accomplished professionals from the medical, technological & business fields.