JAI MICHAEL
ABSOLUTE brighton TV (2005 - 2010)
Jai Michael (JM) and his business partners were at the forefront of the New Media revolution and in 2005 they launched the groundbreaking ABSOLUTE brighton TV.
JM: In 2005, before social media took hold and people became more receptive towards online advertising, it was a challenge to explain our hybrid online TV and video business listing platform to potential local business advertisers, and the benefits of advertising online.
ABSOLUTE brighton TV Team:
Chairman: Ian Steel
Directors: Jai Michael, Will Waghorn
Sales Manager/Producer: Conan Hall
Sales: Stewart Tippler
Producer/Editor: Jai Michael, Will Waghorn
Producer/Presenters: Maddie Bridgette
Sara Mendes da Costa
Producer/Interviewer: Amy Edwards
Producers: Corinne Waghorn, Eli Berry
Marketing/Production: Ivana
Anna (Brighton) Khan
Music Production/Audio Mix: Pepps Pepper
AbTV Band Competition: Eugenie Arrowsmith
Music Event Advisor: Seven Webster
Music Consultants: Chris Payne, Patrick Wilson
Director of Photography/Camera:
Sean Russell, Tony Shearn
Matt Beecroft, Rob Drewett
Crane Camera Operator: Ollie Hodge
Camera / Editor/Graphic Design: Mo Ali
Camera/Editor: Harry Jaoquin Charnock
Camera: Peter G Booth
Production Assistant: Andre Springett
Event Photography: Chris Christoforou
Presenters: Guy Lloyd, Andrea Fox
Lara Regan, Lindsay Ferguson
Head of IT/Web Development:
Jim McCormick, Keith Marwick
Web Development: Andrew Kenwood
IT: Kerry
Copyrighting: Victoria Elsbury-Legg
Tim Smart
Animation: Samson Hall
Fashion Shoots / Video Promos
Stylist/Continuity: Tara de la Motte
Magazine Fashion Shoot Stylist: Terrina Steel
Hair: Jermaine Jackson
Hair/Makeup: Johan, Andrew
Jai Michael's groundbreaking online TV platform, AbTV, marked a significant milestone as the first collaboration between a prestigious Luxury Lifestyle Magazine and a cutting-edge Online TV channel, complete with a comprehensive business video directory.
Convincing business owners to adopt this novel concept was initially challenging, given their familiarity with traditional advertising mediums.
However, (JM), alongside his business partner Will Waghorn, was committed to transforming their vision into reality. Their first order of business was enhancing the website's user experience and replacing the unreliable low-resolution video player with a custom-developed HD player.
Securing financial backing allowed the duo to assemble a skilled team of IT experts, web designers, copywriters, and various production specialists, including a dedicated sales force.
Despite the logistical hurdles, the platform launched in 2005, quickly attracting a dedicated viewership thanks to its comprehensive coverage of Brighton's key events, culture, and businesses.
Within just six months of its launch, the Online Platform of AbTV had already amassed an impressive weekly viewership of 60,000. This was further amplified by the collaboration with "ABSOLUTE brighton," a prestigious Luxury Lifestyle Magazine edited and owned by Verity Craig, the sister of JM. Which had a monthly distribution of 30,000+ in the South East.
This union proved to be a force to be reckoned with. Together, they covered a wide range of topics including business, charity, lifestyle, fashion, social, and commercial events in the region.
This pioneering collaboration not only provided unique supporting video content, for the magazine but the HD terrestrial TV standard online content also surpassed the standards set by international Magazines and Online TV competitors at the time, both conceptually and in terms of quality.
It set a new benchmark for online video presentation and even influenced future TV players and program listing designs both in the UK and abroad.