About World Archipelago
Who are WAI?
World Archipelago (WAI) is an award-winning digital design and technology agency, that builds websites and next generation tools for the Media, Publishing and Property sectors. It specializes in highly creative and technically complex work that combines smart creative with smart technology to generate measurable results for clients.
"We appointed WAI our strategic partner because their component based approach makes them unique among digital agencies" - Paul Cheesbrough, CIO, Telegraph Media Group
The agency started in 1996 and since then it's grown to 40 people, been recognised with more than 30 awards and industry accolades (including a Bafta), and opened an office in New York to service its American client base.
In 2002, the Company launched its property division with a portal for five leading UK estate agents including Foxtons, John D. Wood & Co., and Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward. This led to substantial investment in a full suite of solutions for estate agents, most important of which was the launch of WAI's Location Based Search and Data Visualisation products. By the end of 2007, WAI had supplied location based services to over 100 estate agents including 15 of the top 50 UK estate agents. Location Based Search tools have now also found application with several of WAI's media clients including Channel 4, the Guardian, the Telegraph, and UKTV.
In January 2008, WAI consolidated its IP portfolio development and licensing business under a new division, Digital Products; and in early 2009 the new division released the latest version of its data management, data enhancement and data visualisation platform, WorldArcStudio.
Mark Harvie-Watt
Chief Technology Officer
Mark is co-founder of World Archipelago. Formerly he was responsible for helping to formulate the online strategy for BSkyB (1995-98) and set up the production team for Sky Interactive. Mark is responsible for originating and turning into commercial reality many of the company's innovative ideas.
Geoff Metzger
Managing Director
Geoff joined the company in the autumn of 2008. Before joining World Archipelago, he spent 13 years as the Managing Director of The History Channel UK and its European media portfolio. Geoff is responsible for the day to day management of the business as well as its overall strategic direction.
Russell Douglas
Managing Director, Property
Russell Douglas was appointed to the role of Managing Director, Property in January 2008. Prior to joining, Russell was a digital consultant specialising in the property sector and was also a Creative Director at marketing agency Black Sun plc responsible for the strategic development of many of the UK's leading brands including Barclays, British Airways, O2, Radisson Edwardian Hotels, and Standard Chartered.