BEN_REYES

INTERESTING [Current Project]

Currently working on a website to index the worlds talks and long form video on design, technology and business. Think the TED.com but not exclusive. Interesting.benreyes.com

BE Broadband [Startup / Consultancy]

Joining the fast paced UK internet communications (ISP) startup within the first 2 months of opening it's doors in 2005. BE is the first company to bring revolutionary disruption in the broadband industry with ADSL2+.

Originally consulting on online community growth and was a key founding member in the company's core value in user involvement and community (before social media was a buzz word). The company was later sold to Telef—nica Europe plc (O2) for £50 million. I stayed on till mid 2009 assisting in the company's rebrand and in R&D of various projects including Second Life, Gaming and Co-Creation.

>> Circle Hosting [Startup Business]

>> Showbiz [Acting in the early years]

I used to attend Sylvia Young Theatre School part time as a kid for a number of years and also did commercials, photo shoots and TV. Whilst hardly a child superstar, I can attribute a lot of the way I am now to my early years of acting and performing. I totally recommend acting classes for any kid that's shy and geeky. Also toughens you up to criticism, imagine being given tough criticism such as "you suck, try again" any normal kid would have broken down in tears.

Some of the stuff I did:
>>> Alien's For Dinner (Book Cover Photoshoot)
>>> BBC - Grange Hill (TV Extra)
>>> On Digital (Promo Video)
>>> 1001 Voices @The Royal Albert Hall (Performance of Lion King's Circle of Life)
>>> Haribo (TV Commercial)
>>> Kellog's Coco Pops (TV Commercial)

> Making a difference [Volunteering and working with young people]

In 2007 I spontaneously decided to apply to work on a kids summer camp in the USA teaching digital arts. The next day after applying online I was guaranteed a job at Independent Lake Camp, PA. Like everything else this was an experience full of fun, hard work, ups and downs. You end up making awesome friends, though the one other thing that stuck with me is realisation that I could make a positive difference in a persons life. After being told the cheesy line "your like the brother I wish I had" by a number of kids I went back to camp in 2008 working long hours as assistant head of the Digital Arts department.

Also in 2008 I applied to volunteer for Children's Charity Action for Children on the Independent Visitors programme where you are able to make a positive difference to a kid's life over the course of a number of years who remains in care.

I truly believe that taking a step back and making a difference no matter how small, changes the world for the better.