Digital Marketing Officer

Mike Hyde

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0121 689 3176

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mike.hyde@dancexchange.org.uk

I famously gave up my degree in Architecture at Cardiff University after just 3 days, and switched to Business Administration (often described by my peers as a move from the hardest/longest degree at Cardiff to the easiest). I was entirely happy with my decision, as it left me with far more time to indulge in extra-curricular activities.

One such activity was also, I suppose, my first job in “the arts”, as I somehow I fell into DJing at my favourite indie night at Clwb Ifor Bach, Popscene. Getting inebriated and playing my favourite records (well, CDs) seemed a pretty good gig, and I ended up running and programming bands for another night, Uberalles. Once I graduated I continued DJing and programming the odd indie gig, before I got a “proper” job as a Marketing Assistant at The Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre in Newport. Working with a lovely bunch of people, on loads of interesting things including Newport Festival, a year of events to celebrate the visit of the Ryder Cup, I had an ace time.

In January 2011 I moved to Birmingham, so I promptly decided to get a job in London, as artsdepot’s Marketing & PR Officer. I then proceeded to spend rather more time than is probably healthy on Virgin Pendolinos, and my friends’ floors. However, I also had a rather splendid time there, again with another group of super people, working on profile raising after the venue lost substantial funding, which threatened its future.

I often proudly proclaim to have never once woken up and not wanted to go to work. I reckon this will continue at dx, as I’m thoroughly enjoying Breathe the Beat, a unique digital project featuring the rather talented Salah. The project has also given me the chance to ease myself into the dance world, which, I must confess, is slightly alien to me (fortunately this never came up in my interview), but I am looking forward to immersing myself in the dx Autumn season, whilst continuing to do fun things on computers.

When not “working”, I can usually be found on the golf course.