The Invest Plymouth Team recently sat down with Karen Meadows and Dave Meadows at PUSHED® to find out more about this amazing business right here in Britain's Ocean City.
A thriving creative media production studio, specialising in animation, motion graphics, and video production.
Their talented team of award-winning animators and designers offers cutting-edge services from TV commercials and explainer videos to e-learning content and broadcast graphics.
What is the name of the company and how long have you been in Plymouth?
Pushed. Just about to celebrate our 19th Birthday (December 2024).
I was born here – I’m a Freedom Fields Hospital baby - although through my first career in the RAF I lived away for about 12 years before the pull was too strong to ignore and I returned.
Dave is from Ashford but after wind-surfing his way through Falmouth University decided to stay here by the sea.
What is the sector that you specialise in?
Animation and video production – we specialise in making complex stories digestible and have built our reputation on creating informative, narrative driven and visually captivating animations that deliver results.
In 20 words, how would you describe the business?
We create custom animations and videos for businesses, blending creativity and technology to deliver engaging visuals that tell compelling stories.
Do you supply to Plymouth/SW/UK-wide/overseas?
Yes/yes/yes/and have done – furthest afield was Abu Dhabi
What would you say was your best-selling product?
Explainer animations. There are so many products or services that need explaining to audiences and explainers are the quickest, most digestible and engaging way to reach an audience – whether it’s to sell or educate; from student accommodation fire safety videos, to what’s involved with an epidural saving NHS consultants time to how a muddy National Trust field will look in 5 years through interpretation, to manufacturing and how a “gadget” is used to sensitively explaining charities work ie. Domestic Violence.
What would you say is the best thing about doing business in Plymouth?
Love the strong sense of community, connection and collaboration – there’s a real passion to do what you can to help. Great city spirit.
And what of the future … where do you see Pushed in 10 years time?
We aim to be the ‘go-to’ animation and video production company in the South West. Proving that creativity on a comparable level to major cities like London, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham does exist south of Bristol. Coupled with this, we see ourselves continuing to evolve professionally and exploring new opportunities - perhaps in mentoring or guiding others in or into the industry. It’s about continuing to make a meaningful impact.
And how about yourself … how long have you worked at Pushed and what is your role?
As Dave and I are founders – so since day one - 2005. Starting our own business came about due to ITV making all 200 of us redundant.
The name Pushed comes from the fact we were elbowed out ie “pushed” out of our jobs.
Dave the Creative/Managing Director and I’m the Marketing/Project Manager – we both make the brews!
How do you spend your time outside of work?
Dave – mountain biking and managing and playing in not one, but two bands. Boogie Knights and Get Wicked as the keyboard player.
Karen - taxi’ing a prolific 16 year old daughter to dance classes (almost) every night/weekend in all dance genres. I love the theatre and pretty much watch in awe every production at TRP. I would love to be more involved in the background, obviously. I’m definitely a behind the camera gal.
If you could have a business lunch with anyone who could significantly influence you/the business, who would that be and why?
Dave – Oli Hyatt the Co-Founder of Bluezoo, blown away by their success and variety of styles. Would love to pick his brains on their business journey.
Karen – wow this is a difficult decision at just one…
Baroness Karren Brady – highly successful businesswoman who started her career in advertising, but is also a key figure on the Apprentice, Vice Chair of West Ham United Football Club, public speaker, columnist for various publications, author and an advocate for encouraging more women to enter the corporate world. Love her no nonsense approach.