Member Article

London festive focus: Darren Khan, Genero

With the end of a topsy-turvy year in sight and this year’s festivities about to begin, we’ve asked some of London’s business leaders to reflect on the year gone by and give us an insight into their festive traditions.

In the spotlight today is Darren Khan, Managing Director of UK and Europe at Genero, to share his thoughts on the year gone by, the year ahead and what’s most likely to get him boogying at this year’s Christmas shindig.

What have been the most notable highlights for your business this year?

2016 has been an exciting year as we raised a significant amount of investment in June and then opened new offices in Sydney, Singapore and NYC. All of this while expanding the team in London and the HQ in Melbourne with some really talented people across commercial, marketing and tech development.

It’s been a year of highs and lows, can you tell us some of the biggest challenges your business has faced?

The biggest challenge this year is waiting for the creative content marketplace to catch up with a significant and growing shift of audiences to social and Digital.

While everyone acknowledges that over 60% of all internet traffic will be video by the end of the year, the industry has been slow to shift its model. Nor is it creating the assets which are fit for feed, mobile and other platforms. I know I am not the only one in market frustrated with the huge lag!

If there’s one lesson you’re going to take away from 2016, what is it and why?

The old rules and ways of thinking seem to be quickly disappearing! Who would have predicted Brexit and Trump? So I am predicting the marketplace will change drastically when it comes to content creation as audiences continue to shift to digital and social and clients need to find new, quicker and cost effective ways to reach their consumers.

Which London business do you most admire right now?

Studio Art & Commerce – they are a one-year-old business with an amazing team focused on ‘Cultural Platforms’ that are content-rich experiences and drive commercial success because they connect with people at scale and are rooted in their passions. Simple but highly effective!

What do you think are the biggest challenges facing businesses in the city next year? Despite the Brexit vote, we’ve still plenty of businesses setting up shop in the capital. What do you think makes the city so special?

Retaining and nurturing your people will be key. I believe that without a strong culture driven by your people, you will struggle to innovate and grow.

Who’s your business idol, the person you find most inspiring and look up to?

Elon Musk for bending the rules and not conforming to the old; a true innovator and disruptor.

Everyone has their Christmas day routine, what’s yours?

Well mine is little more interesting than most as my other half is from Paris, so we always have the traditional French Christmas Eve extended dinner in Paris then fly out of Paris at lunchtime on Christmas Day to London for a British Christmas lunch with the family!

And most importantly of all, what’s the cheesy Christmas single that’s most likely to get you on the dancefloor?

Last Christmas, Wham!