IN PROFILE
DRPG GROUP Surpassing a million delegates for its virtual event solutions in 2020, creative communications agency, DRPG proves why upskilling is key to weathering the economic storm of COVID-19. TPi’s Jacob Waite reports...
With the onset of COVID-19, the demand for broadcast-quality virtual events has risen tenfold. Early adopters of the new age of virtual events, recently surpassing a million delegates for its virtual event solutions in 2020, is creative communications agency, DRPG. The company’s bases in the Midlands, Windsor, the North and central London include 4.2 acres of production facilities, eight fully equipped edit suites, two state-ofthe-art studios, digital innovation labs, a dedicated print facility, 3D projection cinema, construction centre and contemporary design suite – consolidating the firm’s growing reputation as a virtual events virtuoso. Before COVID-19 tossed the proverbial live events prep sheet out of the window, DRPG was among the few firms seeking ways to improve internal processes in the company, exploring what communication platforms such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint and other Microsoft Power Apps could offer the creative communications agency and its growing list of clients. While overseeing the firm’s transition to Microsoft Teams in a bid to streamline internal communication, DRPG Production Manager, Andy Melsom discovered that his remit was beginning to snowball, as such, he was named the Head of Systems for company-wide departments during the
COVID-19 crisis. “Essentially, supporting the business while IT was dealing with the transition to remote WFH setups and other systems,” he clarified. “We had reached a point where most of our ‘live’ team were using Microsoft Teams. So when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we were at an advantage.” Given the company’s developing knowledge of Microsoft Teams, Melsom assisted with the roll-out of new and revamped systems, introducing HubSpot’s free CRM platform along with Microsoft SharePoint to create an integrated platform for the business. “As a PM, I’m familiar with problem solving, which helps with the IT systems required for this role. While the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the live events industry, we have devoted this time to innovation,” he remarked. “Surprisingly, without the pandemic, we wouldn’t have had the opportunity or time to move their systems online.” Shifting from an on-premise server which requires VPN to access files, DRPG now operates in the ‘cloud’, which means everyone can work from home with no connection issues, helping with the delivery of virtual events amid the lockdown of in-person audiences. The company’s bespoke platform, built by an in-house design team, caters for the rising demand for 42