Steven Parker - Managing Director at Sunderland based Phonetic Digital.
Did you always envisage a career in the world of Tech?
It would be fair to say that looking back I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do and at the time I certainly wasn’t mature enough to go to college.
I initially stacked shelves for City Electrical Factors and moved to the trade counter where I discovered I was good at communicating with people.
I then followed a good friend into the motor trade which I enjoyed. However my wife is a teacher so I knew long term that this wasn’t compatible as I worked weekends and we rarely managed to get time off together.
I turned my attention to the world of advertising and thrived in a six year spell at Newcastle Chronicle and Journal where I gained the Media Skills Qualification from the Newspaper Society. I really feel this is where my career started and I learned so much.
As the digital world emerged, I was part of a national steering group for Trinity Mirror looking into how this could impact and improve the business. Naturally some were resistant to change but I retained my interest and at the time was delighted to be part of the team in the early days at Mediaworks back in 2009. This was such an exciting period as everyone wanted to know about SEO at it was an emerging marketing tactic. I remember Facebook advertising launching and realising the impact that had and how we could use tech for good.
My profile grew and I got the start up bug and subsequently went onto to co-found Digital Allies where I had a lot of fun and made some great memories. I left the business amicably in November 2020 and went on to spend three years as a consultant before launching Phonetic Digital in January 2024.
What tips would you give anyone looking to work in the world of Tech?
The industry is moving with such velocity so my advice would be to get hands on in the platforms and gain operational experience.
What are you currently working on?
We are fortunate to be trusted by a wide range of fantastic clients from a wide variety of sectors. These include Gateshead College, Darlington College, North East Screen, Sunderland BID, Sweeney Miller Law, GFW Estate Agents, Swinburne Maddison Solicitors, and Oculus HR. On a national level we also work with Responsible Finance.
Tell us about your team?
Towards the end of my three year spell as a consultant I started to feel unfulfilled and lacked drive and motivation. I saw a great office space on Mackies Corner in Sunderland and from there Phonetic was born. Matthew Bryson has been with me from day one as Technical Director. Ron Binningsley then joined us as a senior front end developer & graphic designer, and we recruited Jess Davey as a digital marketing executive last year. Further team expansion is very much on the horizon…watch this space!
What are your long term plans?
To build a credible well governed business that will have impact and benefit the people of Sunderland, and the North East.
We treat clients well and all of our staff have private medical insurance and monthly use of an alternative therapist.
I work very closely with our fractional CFO Aly Henderson to drive the business forward and we are already the only agency in the North East which has both B Corp Certification and ISO 9001 accreditation.
We do a lot in the community and I chair the work of The Living Wage Foundation in Sunderland, and am a member of the board at The Foundation of Light – coupling community impact with football, two passions of mine outside of work.
What is your favourite piece of Technology?
My digital piano, although this is purely for personal pleasure! Away from work I’d much prefer a printed book over a phone or Kindle.
What has been your fondest career memory?
It would be very difficult to pinpoint one. Starting Digital Allies and seeing it succeed was a great experience. Watching staff engaged and Phonetic prosper has also been very rewarding.
What is the best piece of business advice you have been given?
Act swiftly and with conviction.
How do you like to unwind?
Playing piano, reading books and getting out in to the countryside…how cliche!
www.phoneticdigital.co.uk