QUESTIONSquestions

AN INTERVIEW WITH DEREK MARKS - EARLY 2011 (updated July 2011)

Describe yourself in 5 words:
Anyone that knows me will know that that's an impossibility to me, I can rarely confide my thoughts into just several words.  My living is the words that come from here, there and everywhere.  It's a good question, and I have exceeded my quota before even beginning.

Favourite quote:
"You're a wee man with a huge personality".  Somebody said it to me years ago as we went our seperate ways, and it has never left me.  I'd still rather be taller ha ha

Things that make me happy:
The smallest things.  I have a wonderful garden, and just spending time in it with a cup of tea sometimes I just stop, smile and think about how lucky I am.
 
A lot of people don't know:
That before being on the telly for a living, I did lurk in the background a few times.  The first time was back in something like 1989, when I sat at a table with some very famous people for a programme called 'The Weekend Live' as Timmy Mallet danced through singing 'Hot Hot Hot' sat near to Frank Bruno and Gloria Hunniford.  I was also in the front row in the early days of the Channel 5 programme '5's Company' whilst off sick from work, dancing to John Lee (Imagination) with Steve Allen (LBC) and John Barrowman on the set.  I've also been a contestant on 2000 to 1 in 1999 with Shauna Lowry on BBC1 (and had about three seconds on screen). Oh, and for anyone that does know - I never did have the operation (oh how I love Channel 4 for repeating that on hundreds of channels every few weeks).

Guilty pleasure:
Oh, Green and Black's Chocolate.  It shouldn't be so gorgeous - it's the Butterscotch one that I must have.  It's very difficult to follow the 'only two squares' rule.  Forgive me, I have sinned MANY times :) Send me more

Proudest career moment:
I made a package of interviews for a radio station once where I had the great honour of speaking to people who had cared, or were caring for people with various forms of dementia.  I was hugely humbled by the amount that they felt able to share with me about a subject that can be hugely personal and painful.  The finished packages were my proudest moments, and I know had a huge impact for The Alzheimers Society.

Most scary TV moment:
I'm not sure I've ever been scared on telly - yet!  The first time I corpsed on-air on a shopping channel I was terrified that I would never work again.  It does of course turn out that it happens to everyone from time to time.  I went on to do it many more times :)

Most enjoyable career moment:
I think taking the plunge to leave my previous career behind and start afresh.  I knew that I was tenacious enough to get somewhere, but had no idea or particular ambition.  I am still amazed that every one of those childhood dreams I had have pretty much happened one way or another.  I still have no ambitions in particular, and literally wait for chance things to happens.  That's the way I love it :)

Most embarrassing TV moment:
Oh, here comes the Memory Foam Pillow moment.  Instead of saying "we've all been up to one in a department store and had a feel" (which, let's face it reading this sounds wrong already), I said "MAYBE YOU'VE EVEN BEEN BEEN UP ONE!", and then stopped.  My director Jules, who could make me laugh by saying the word "TWO" absolutely lost the plot along with the rest of the crew.  About 5 minutes, and many close-up's later, we did all eventually recover.
It's on youtube! - and a link you'll find in my showreel section.
 
Most memorable interview:
I refer back to my Alzheimers Society interviews.  I will get them online too soon - they are amazingly touching.

Nerves?
Yeah - too right.  I get very nervous about things that I have never done before.  I go silent and can't listen when I'm nervous ha ha.   I dread early morning
new jobs, because that equates to no-sleep and constant enactments in my mind of how the job will go.  Usually turns out ok though :)

Always wanted to be a Presenter? 
Oh YES YES YES, forever.  For anyone that remembers the old ITV regional companies - I was TVS ga-ga.  I used to tape the local news programme 'Coast to Coast' on a betamax video, re-type the script into my zx-81 computer and then read them back to my teddies, in time to hit the reports on time.
Seems potty now, and lunacy does help when it comes to being a broadcaster me thinks.  The sane and normal need not apply :)

Dream Presenting job:
I really don't have one.  I really don't have presenter envy, and have been really lucky to be offered the opportunities that I have.  I've done a mix of journalism, discussion, newsreading, shopping, live, corporate, radio, voiceover.  I like the unpredictability of what will come along next and am always really proud when a mate of mine does well. 

Career Advice:
Don't take too many pieces of career advice :) I think that some people can end up feeling downhearted if the advice they've been given hasn't worked out.  I know that you do have to make your own luck in this business to a certain extent, but be prepared to step way outside your comfort zone on the way to where you want to be.  Don't let it ever get you down, or take over - and do as many things and meet as many people as you can.  One piece of advice is that you can only be you!

REALLY VERY F.A.Q

How did/do you talk about something for hours on end when it's something like a toaster?
People ask this question all the time.  The answer is 'I have no idea'.  People do think that being a shopping channel presenter is simple, you just stand
there and talk.  As many people who do it will tell you, it really isn't.  It takes a particular kind of mind to be able to think about what you are saying and what you're about to say whilst being talked to by at least two people in your ear at the same time.  If you are given an item which does very  little, your job is to bring it to life.  A toaster is not just a toaster.  It makes your dreams come true when you're bleary-eyed first thing in the morning and need that hot buttered toast, dripping with butter some golden marmalade.  See - I know you want that toaster now (I'm going to order a load, I'll get the item number online soon ha ha).  I think it's a bit like learning a different language in a way to stand and do shopping tv.  You have to think about what you are saying, what you are not allowed to say - and remember not to say 'hoover' and 'velcro' all the time.  No wonder I'm round the twist.

What's the worst thing you've ever had to sell?
I've never hated anything that I've sold (I have to say that don't I), but there were items that I wondered how I would approach.  For a man to present slimming pants on tv without a)being a woman or b) having a model was certainly challenging.  Also, the chicken fillet things that ladies wear I could never really understand - but again, that's being a man.  I think sometimes that you have certain pictures in your mind when you see something, and you have to remember that on television that you have to be careful what you say so as not to offend, or to degrade the product.  I can say now because it was so many years ago, but I used to dread any items with lots of facts and figures attached.  I have the memory of a small goldfish, and hate having to have notes in any way.  I've told you too much now!!

Has anything ever broken on-air?
Oh yes, I think some products just break for badness sometimes because they're on the telly!  Presenters and experts spend hours putting products through their paces, and practicing with them at home and in studio.  It's the moment that you go live that things do go wrong.  I've had a watch once fall apart in my hand, which could happen to anyone but when you are speaking and showing it on TV it is very difficult to get the director or producers attention to alert them.  This is why if it happens - generally you the viewer is the first to see it warts and all :)  Thankfully, it has only happened once or twice to me.

Where are you now?
Well, of course I'm back with The Jewellery Channel in London - which I'm loving.  It's a very small team that get the channel on air for 20 hours a day - and I laugh so much when I'm there.  It's not a job, it's a joy.  Since early 2010 I've been making programmes too for 'The Liverpool Cruise Club', and they very kindly even sent me on a cruise in June 2011.  These programmes go out daily on sky, and we've been making new programmes every month.  The club has now taken the success to a new level, creating 'The Holiday and Cruise Channel' which launches in August 2011.  I'm glad to say that I'll continue to present the programmes - and have the chance to share some airspace with some great friends of mine too.  I still present a radio programme every Saturday for The Bay in Lancashire and Cumbria, which I adore (you know me, I like a natter).  I have many new projects coming to fruition 2011/12 - and I always how fortunate I am in this industry to be working in a very competitive environent.  I'm loving the variety of work - no two days are ever the same.

Do you watch the shopping channels?
Oh crikey yes, a lot of my mates are still on various channels - so I always have a flick round and see who's on.  I was lucky to work with a lot of the teams I see on-screen so I still get the 'in-jokes' that most people would miss.  I always do a scan through all the live channels first.  So I go 640 (QVC), 644 (Ideal World), 650 (TJC - of course), 652 (Gems), 656 (Gems Extra), 645, 654 and 665 (the bid-up channels) and then to 666 (Rocks and Co) and go and have a nose round and see who's up to what ha ha.  I shouldn't confess all of this should I :)

Who's your favourite shopping TV presenter?
Oh, impossible to answer.  As I said in the question before, a lot of my mates present and demonstrate for the channels, and I think they're all ace because I know what it's like to be in the hot seat (and how wonderful and lucky we are to do it).  I think that there are different things that you like about different presenters.  I have ones that are not for me, but I'm not about to say it out loud ha ha.  This is a politician's answer isn't it - I'll get my coat!  I'll admit a guilty pleasure of watching wordsmith Peter Simon on bid tv - he makes me laugh.  I think he makes up 3000 new words every appearance.  Legend!

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?  E-MAIL derek@derekmarks.co.uk

  Derek took part in this years 'Movember', growing a fine moustache to help raise awareness of male cancers.  You can donate and see the journey of the mo by visiting 
http://mobro.co/derekmarks 
THANK YOU 


 Derek celebrates with The Bay as they post their highest audience reach figures for many years.  The Bay now has the highest reach in it's area for any local commercial radio station in the UK.  In addition, his own regular show has posted nearly treble the listenership from May 2010 - October 2011.

 OCTOBER 2011- The Bay is flying high


In addition to the great news for the station, Derek has nearly trebled the audience for his regular Saturday show on The Bay from May 2010 to October 2011.  Clive Lee will now take the helm for the show as Derek works on other projects, but will still remain working for the station as a swing presenter.

  OCTOBER 2011- The Jewellery Channel on Freeview

The Jewellery Channel has recently secured the rights to broadcast 24 hours a day on Freeview.  Re-scan your Freeview boxes to find it on channel 60.  Derek continues to anchor for the popular Jewellery auction-style channel, as he has since 2009.  

AUGUST 2011 - NEWS

Derek is pleased to announce the launch of The Holiday and Cruise Channel, which went live on August the 1st.  The channel is a culmination of the success of the programmes for The Liverpool Cruise Club that have been showing on various sky and Freeview channels since April 2010.  The channel now airs on sky channel 284 daily from 7am-10pm, and features many new strands of programming - and will act as a permanent home to the 'teleshopping' cruise holiday shows for four dedicated hours a day.  Derek is delighted to maintain his association with the cruise club, and looks forward to presenting for the channel alongside old friends, such as Phil Hilton (BBC, Granada) and Debi Jones (BBC, Shop!, TJC) and of course his the on-screen double act with Sales and Marketing Manager, John Cooper.
 
  
  JULY 2011 - NEWS

Derek has now returned from his his first cruise holiday to the Norwegian fjords aboard Fred.Olsen's Braemar - and the blog with all the details is finally finished.  You can log on to http://www.liverpoolcruiseclub.com/derekmarks.phtml to see how he got on.
 
In other news, Derek was invited to compere this years' Lune Valley Country Fair in Caton, near Lancaster.  The weekend of the 25th and 26th of June was a huge success and raised vital funds for CancerCare.  This is now set to become a firm date in the Country Fair calendar.  Derek enjoyed not only being the compere for a fantastic cause, but also commentating on his first ever dog show (and now knows a beagle from a whippet!).
  Visit http://www.lunevalleyfair.org.uk/.

  Derek is currently working on several other projects for 2011/12 to add to his portfolio of work.

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MAY 2011 - NEWS

Derek is now counting down to his first cruise holiday in June to the Norwegian Fjords aboard the Fred Olsen Ship, Braemar.   He and the team have recently filmed sequences in Southampton aboard P&O's Azura and Ventura ships.  You can read Derek's regular travel blog at  www.liverpoolcruiseclub.com/tv 

 

In other news, the team at The Bay radio station in Lancaster are celebrating after the release of the latest RAJAR audience listening figures.  In the last three months, and indeed over the past twelve months - the audience is going from strength to strength.  Derek commented, "I'm so proud to be part of the team at The Bay.  I've had an ace time over the past twelve months being part of an on-air team after an absence of a few years, and glad that the audience seem to be ok listening to my ramblings.  I've had the chance to visit some beautiful places, promote some worthy charities and generally be looked after by not only one of the most supportive teams I've ever been part of, but some very kind and loyal listeners.  Onwards and upwards!!".

  You can tune in every Saturday from 10am-2pm, and you can listen online at www.thebay.co.uk

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JANUARY 2011 - Derky's Bloopers - a new addition from the archives

Well, finally it's here.  From Derek's archive comes this clip from Yes TV from January 2007.  It all started so well, but the combination of a slip of the tongue and a corpsing crew and director - probably one of the longest five minutes of my life.  Enjoy!

In another project for web video producer, Videotile - Derek is now the face of Bown Roofing in the West Midlands.  You can visit their website at http://www.bownroofing.co.uk/  If you'd like to add Derek top your website, visit http://www.videotile.co.uk/ to speak to the team.

DECEMBER 2010 - Liverpool Cruise Club Update

Well, tis the season to be jolly - so why not take advantage of the opportunity to treat yourself to a long lasting christmas gift.  Our latest series of Cruise Holiday programmes for P&O and Fred Olsen is now airing DAILY on sky 659 at 2.10pm, 5.05pm and 7.20pm.   Coming up in January, we bring your our programmes direct from Fred Olsen's Boudicca ship.  More details soon.

NOVEMBER 2010 - Fred Olsen Cruise Programme Update

OCTOBER 2010 -  Liverpool Cruise Club Programmes

We're pleased to announce that SERIES 8 of programmes for the Liverpool Cruise Club are in production.  The programmes, to air in November will once again feature Fred Olsen and P&O Cruise holidays, all heavily discounted by The Liverpool Cruise Club.   These programmes also feature the 'first timers cruise' to the Norweigan Fjords in June 2011 that Derek will be taking, with a special TV discount available.   Series 9 for December broadcast is already in production, and Derek is filming from the MS Boudicca Fred Olsen cruise ship this month for a special programme to be broadcast in January 2011. 

                                                                                                                    

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  OCTOBER 2010 -  DM bids a fond farewell to Shine!

 

 

     

 

 Series FIVE of programmes promoting cruise holidays offered by the Liverpool Cruise Club is now in production.  The programmes are a continuation of a successful series of programmes that have been airing since May this year.  The new shows will feature more fantastic cruise holidays from P&O Cruises and Fred Olsen Cruises.  Series Four is currently on-air daily on Information TV (sky166 / Freesat402), Shop on TV (sky659) and FILM 24 (sky157).  Derek is delighted to have cemented a long-running relationship with the cruise club, and his experience in DRTV production and presentation continues to drive new members to club, established in the late 1980's and catering solely for those people who want a huge variety of cruise holidays.  You can now watch the programmes online at anytime at www.liverpoolcruiseclub.com/tv

 

 Shopping television industry website, www.shoppingtelly.com has featured the story on the new programmes for the Liverpool Cruise Club.  The site is visited by well over a million visitors every month and features news stories about all the TV shopping channels.

See another one of Derek's recent projects for Videotile.  http://www.voicetransact.com/derek.html 

The Liverpool Cruise Club www.liverpoolcruiseclub.com/tv

Gems TV www.gemstv.co.uk

 Shoppingtelly.com www.shoppingtelly.com

The Jewellery Channel www.tjc.co.uk

Trafficlink, the UK's traffic and travel provider www.trafficlink.co.uk

Findel Plc  www.24studio.co.uk www.kleeneze.co.uk

The Bay 96.9/102.3/103.2fm www.thebay.co.uk

DIY/Garden Show www.domoney.tv

www.marksanspencer.com

Talking Website Characters www.videotile.co.uk

JML Direct www.jmldirect.com

TOPMARKS/productions 

Since a chance conversation at the start of 2010, Derek put together a small team and a plan and started producing 'teleshopping' shows for The Liverpool Cruise Club.   The brief from this travel agent was to market cruise holidays to a new and existing audience, and to increase their 100k+ client base.  Since the first launch to sky tv aired in April 2010, the club have seen an uplift in customer contact, bookings and enquiries.  The segments are produced and presented by Derek Marks, appearing alongside Liverpool Cruise Club's Sales and Marketing Manager - John Cooper.

    The 30 minute shows deliver a 'beyond the brochure' experience which has attracted many people to the ever-growing cruise holiday market.  The club has grabbed attention in the travel sector with faster than average production schedules allowing the latest discount offerings to be onscreen within days.

  The relatively low-cost base of the production has also enabled the club to establish gilt-edged relationships with major cruise operators.  The tv programmes have been refreshed monthly and show daily to a potential 11million + sky tv subscribers in the UK.

  The shows have been a mix of studio and location shoots.  To compliment the TV offering, Top Marks has developed other marketing solutions for the club, such as the use of online videos and social networking to increase awareness.  LCC have built on the success of this base model during 2011 - engaging a media broker, creating their own studio facility and launching 'The Holiday and Cruise Channel' in August 2011.  Derek continues to present the cruise 'teleshopping' shows for the channel which air for four hours daily, and are now shot weekly.

LAUNCHED-August 1st 2011

 
 
 
NOW - it's your turn!

We have studios based around the country ready to work with you.  It's time to unleash the potential and claim your share of the UK home shopping market.

It truly is amazing how low-cost, high quality production and inexpensive airtime on TV can boost sales for your company or product range.  To find out how, talk to Derek today 

07971 210001

 PRODUCTION CREDITS

SERIESone Ep 1 - P&O Cruises, Ep 2 - Fred Olsen Cruises, Ep 3 - Fred Olsen Cruises (3x30 mins)  TX April 2010 (Shop on TV, sky 659 ¦ Best Direct Blueberry TV,  sky658)

SERIEStwo Ep 1 - P&O Cruises Ep 2 - NCL/LCC Cruises (2x30 mins) TX May 2010 (Shop on TV, sky 659 ¦ Best Direct Blueberry TV,  sky658)

SERIESthree Ep 1 - Fred Olsen Cruises Ep 2 - P&O Cruises Ep 3 - Exclusive Packages (3x30 mins)  - TX June 2010 (Shop on TV, sky 659 ¦ Information TV, sky 166, Freesat 402)

SERIESfour Ep 1 - P&O Cruises Ep 2 - Fred Olsen Ep 3 Yachts of Seabourn (3x30 mins) - TX July 2010 (Shop on TV, sky 659 ¦ Information TV, sky 166, Freesat 402 ¦ Film 24, sky157)

SERIESfive Ep 1 - P&O Cruises Ep 2 - Fred Olsen (2x30 mins)  - TX August 2010 (Shop on TV, sky 659 ¦ Information TV, sky 166, Freesat 402 ¦ Film 24, sky157)

SERIESsix Ep 1 - Fred Olsen Ep 2 - P&O Ep 3 - Princess Cruises Ep 4 - Royal Carribean (4x30 mins) - TX September 2010 (Shop on TV, sky 659)

SERIESseven Ep 1 - Fred Olsen Ep2 - P&O Ep 3 - Regent Seven Seas Ep 4 - Celebrity Cruises (4x30 mins) - TX October 2010 (Shop on TV, sky 659 ¦ Fitness TV, sky 282 ¦ Channel M, Freeview 200 (NW))

SERIESeight Ep 1 - Fred Olsen Ep 2 - P&O Cruises (2x30 mins) - TX November 2010 (Shop on TV, sky 659)

SERIESnine Ep 1 - Fred Olsen Cruises Ep2 - P&O Cruises (2x30 mins) - TX December 2010 (Shop on TV, sky 659)

SERIESten Ep 1 - Fred Olsen Cruises (location shoot - Newcastle) Ep 2 - Thomson Ep 3 - River Cruise Club Ep 4 - NCL (4x30 mins) - TX January 2011 (Shop on TV, sky 659/ Channel M, Freeview 200 (NW))

SERIESeleven Ep 1 - Fred Olsen Cruises Ep 2 - P&O Ep 3 - MSC Cruises (3x30 mins) - TX February 2011 (Shop on TV, sky 659)

 SERIEStwelve Ep 1 - Fred Olsen Cruises Ep 2 - P&O Ep 3 - Exclusive Packages (3x30 mins) - TX March 2011 (Shop on TV, sky 659)

 SERIESthirteen Ep 1 - Shop on TV farewell Cruise Selection Ep 2 - P&O 2012 Ep 3 - P&O Ep 4 - Fred Olsen (4x30 mins) - TX April 2011 (Shop on TV, sky 659| My Channel, sky 219/ Retail TV, sky647)

SERIESfourteen Ep 1 - P&O Cruises Ep 2 - Fred Olsen Ep 3 - MSC Cruises (3x30 mins) - TX May 2011 (Retail TV, sky 659| My Channel, sky219| Retail TV, sky647)

SERIESfifteen Ep 1 - Royal Carribean International Cruises (location) Ep 2 - Fred Olsen Ep 3 - P&O (3x30 mins) - TX May/June 2011 (Retail TV, sky 659/ My Channel, sky219/Showcase TV, sky 203)

SERIESsixteen Ep 1 - Fred Olsen Cruises Ep 2 - P&O Cruises (2x30 mins) - TX July 2011  (Retail TV, sky 659/ My Channel, sky219/Showcase TV, sky 203)

All programmes were directed and edited by the incredibly talented Daniel Harrison www.danielharrison.tv
 

LAUNCHED - August 1st 2011

 DEREK'S 'FIRST TIMER CRUISE BLOG' - CLICK HERE

SHOWreels

PRESENTINGthe jewellery channel



PRESENTINGthe holiday and cruise channel


WEBcorporate demo

 http://www.videotile.co.uk/derek_marks3.php

PRESENTINGthe jewellery channel

PROMOliverpool cruise club

DEMONSTRATINGexpress gifts

PRESENTINGshopping

The UK shopping television industry continues to be worth hundreds of millions of pounds in the UK each year.  Since QVC launched the first home-shopping channel in the in 1993, a myriad of channels have followed suit.  Some have thrived, some have fallen by the wayside and all rely on the all-important sales figures.  For the winners, it's a growing market - taking advantage of the digital switchover is bringing millions of 'first time' shoppers to the channels.  This not only ensures you a new audience, but builds  loyalty with regular customers.  Recruiting for a shopping channel is now a very competitive business, with many seasoned presenters in the market place, and sales margins, turnovers and targets the consideration for every hour on-air.  Presenters are generally required to 'hit the ground running' and be able to achieve strong, consistent sales figures.

It is a very competitive environment, not for the faint hearted and not as simple to perform as appears at face value.  That's not to say that there isn't room for you to succeed.  I'm sure many of you will have seen the BBC's 'The Apprentice' where the candidates chancing their arm in tv sales.  It shows you that it takes more than a good idea and luck.

Derek Marks has vast experience base in this field, having self-crafted his style from an entertainment and radio background and becoming one of the UK's best-known stable of 'all round' tv sales presenters.  His experience started at Yes TV in Manchester demonstrating a wide range of products -  learning the ability to ad-lib through thousands of hours of high-repeat tv presentations.  He took this experience with him to JML, The Findel Group, Gems TV, The Jewellery Channel and Ideal World which have given him a good broad knowledge of the industry.  He now consults for many brands including DRL, The Findel Group, JML, Kleeneze and others - and has also produced television programmes which have delivered the results first time.  His experience of live stage work, radio presenting and compering gives him a good insight into the demographic of the buying audience.   He has learnt since his beginnings in 2004 that people buy from people.  Not any person can stand in front of the camera and sustain a high level of sales if the public cannot engage with you on-screen.  The genuine nature of the person is what makes a successful shopping presenter.  

Key to what Derek can offer is his want for you to succeed,  and he will actively encourage and support you to acheive everything that you can be.  He had a dream and self-started with no experience at all.  He will be there for you on an ongoing basis by phone, e-mail and he will take a genuine interest on how you get on.

Derek has armed many people with little or no experience in TV shopping with the skills required to make the difference at that audition.  He breaks down the myths surrounding the business, and offers one-on-one advice and resources to those who seek their place in this exciting and dynamic business.  Every performer has different needs, strengths and weaknesses - and deserves the individual attention.  Derek will work with you and your personality and give you a personal action plan, rather than rafts of workbooks and a drained bank balance.  Relevant, targeted, successful advice and support - simple .  You're not buying a one-day course that forgets you - you are undertaking an ongoing relationship and relevant support throughout your journey.  You'll need to know the requirements of each channel, you'll need advice that is relevant for the ever-changing environment. 

What's the best way to market yourself to a shopping channel?

What kind of showreel should I present?

Could I do it?

How?

Where do I start?

Can I do it?

If you want to be told what you want to hear - go and sign up on a £500 course!
I'm not free - but I do promise honest and sound advice

Call Derek now on 07971 210001 or e-mail derek@derekmarks.co.uk for more details on how to start the journey

Testimonial

"After working with Derek, I managed to secure myself a TV job I could only dream of getting in the past.  He helped boost my confidence 100% with his guidance and support.  His tips on 'giving the best screen test' were invaluable.  The great thing about Derek is that he has a great understanding of the shopping channel genre and knew exactly what would be expected of me from the company and the best way to impress.  He has a wonderful way of making you feel like you can succeed.... and thanks to him, now I can" - E, female shopping channel presenter

PRESSarticles
July 2011  - The launch of 'The Holiday and Cruise Channel'
 

January 2011  - Liverpool Cruise Club article on www.shoppingtelly.com

June 2010  - Liverpool Cruise Club article on www.shoppingtelly.com

DM Television - sky - Lifestyle
(2008-2010) Presenter / Newscaster

Derek fronted lifestyle show 'Shine!', tailored for an international audience.  The programme was a 'This Morning' style magazine show - comprising topical discussion, entertainment and lifestyle strands.  A number of specialist and 'niche' charity organisations were able to feature to promote a wide variety of causes, and regular guest experts appeared in a variety of feature slots such as cookery, craft and personal finance.  Derek also fronted 'Spotlight', a weekly panel discussion programme - tackling such subjects as politics, religion and other 'hot topic' subjects.  Derek also delivered news bulletins to autocue and created reportage packages.

Ideal World TV - sky/Freeview www.idealworld.tv
(2010) Guest Demonstrator

Derek demonstrated a number of new products to the UK's second biggest home shopping channel.  Working one-on-one with a mainline presenter, he demonstrated various products as well as highlighting USP's.  This involved extensive research and test of the products, and the ability to recall all of the salient facts and figures for a sales presentation, within Ofcom and Advertising Standards codes.  The shows were live and unscripted.

The Jewellery Channel - sky/Freeview www.tjc.co.uk
(2009-10) Presenter

Mainline presenter for this jewellery auction sales channel.  Presentation of hundreds of hours of live, unscripted sales auctions of high quality jewellery pieces.  Derek worked very closely with the production team to organise sales strategies and ensure a mix of pieces to suit a variety of budgets.  Again, he usied his skills and judgement to create 'headlines' for jewellery pieces to appeal to the audience - with the channel's pricing policy and delivery obtaining best prices.   Derek was a high performer for The Jewellery Channel, regularly exceeding sales targets for margin and turnover.

Gems TV - sky/Freeview/Freesat
(2007-09) Presenter

Anchor Presenter for UK jewellery auction shopping channel.  Derek quickly switched from initial maternity cover to regular presenter.   Involved intensive jewellery and gemstone training. Derek was one of the first regular faces to appear when Gems TV secured a number of Freeview slots.  In terms of performance, Derek was regularly among the Top 3 presenters for sales turnover and, more importantly margin.   

JML Direct TV - sky/Freeview www.jmldirect.com
(2007) Location Demonstrator for TV Infomercial

Derek was asked to front a national launch of a brand new cleaning product for JML.  This involved extensive work with executives and production teams.  Derek went on to film a location infomercial at the Metro Centre in Gateshead.  This was a multi-camera shoot and repeated many times to ensure that the final programme best demonstrated the capability of the product.  The end result was not only shown on JML's sky tv channel, also at the point of sale units around the UK.

Yes TV - sky/virgin media/ntl
(2004-07) Anchor Presenter

Derek's first television experience was with Yes Price Crash/Price Crash TV .  After recording of a single informercial, Derek became one of the launch team for this discounting channel.  This involved live, unscripted sales presentations and demonstration of many household items and products.   It also involved research and development of demonstration techniques - as well as reinvigorating high repeat demonstrations.  Derek developed his own style of affable, yet powerful delivery to suit the very fast-paced format of the channel.  He was utilised extensively also for the high-repeat recorded informercials.  Viewers are still very familiar now with the demonstrations of the channels' car polish, in which a car bonnet was set alight to demonstrate the product. Derek also fronted the channel's 'Gemtique' gemstone jewellery strand until it finished broadcasting in 2007.

ONLINEcredits

DRL Limited - http://www.appliance-reviews.co.uk/
(2011) Consultant 

Derek worked with DRL initially to present video reviews for the website 'Appliance Reviews'.  The site aims to be the equivalent of tripadvisor.com for white good home appliances.  Derek also worked with the team on a radical overhaul of the approach, methods and style of the review offering to increase engagement, viewability and onward sales uplift. 

Findel Group Plc - www.24studio.co.uk 
 (2007-09) Consultant, Co-producer and Presenter

Derek worked with Findel to strengthen the web sales for the Express Gifts and Kleeneze brands by compiling an online video offering.   He worked with the audio visual department to create engaging sales videos.  The mini-programmes were developed, and formulated to increase website conversion rates.  Derek also recruited a number of presenters.  Products with videos increased to a conversion rate of around 50%.    

Videotile - Website presenter - various corporate clients (2007-Present) http://www.videotile.co.uk/derek_marks3.php

Derek is working with one of the UK's first ever 'web presenter' service providers, Videotile as a presenter.  Videotile creates eye-catching and engaging talking 'website characters' for a number of high profile clients using green-screen 'chroma' technology and live animation.  They were among the very first in the UK to use these innovative techniques.  

RADIOcredits

The Bay - Presenter (2010-Present) Presenter www.thebay.co.uk Derek nearly trebled listenership for his regular saturday mid-morning show from April 2010-October 2011 (source: rajar), as well as receiving the 'ON AIR CONTRIBUTION AWARD 2011' for presentation of many promotional 'Bay Comes to You' outside broadcasts.

Trafficlink - Broadcaster / Information Editor (2007-2012) Traffic and Travel Provider www.trafficlink.co.uk

Review Radio / Shoppingtelly.fm / Generation Mix - Presenter (2005-2011) Internet radio stations

Magic 999 - Presenter (2004) - Commercial radio station for Lancashire www.magic999.co.uk 

Dune FM - Presenter (2000-2004) - Commercial Radio Station West Lancashire/North Merseyside 

Liver FM - Presenter (2004) - 28-day Trial RSL talk station format for Liverpool (licence became CityTalk105.9) 

Hits FM - Presenter (2003) - Trial music station for Knutsford, Cheshire

CLR/BLR - Presenter (2002-2003) - Presenter/programmer - trial stations in North West England (licence became Abbey FM and Central Radio/The Bee)

KIT KAT RADIO/Holiday Rock FM  - Presenter (2002-2005) - Presenter for in-house radio station for Pleasure Beach Blackpool

AA ROADWATCH - Broadcaster/Editor (2002) - Radio Travel News Broadcaster

102.4 Wish FM - Webmaster (1997-2000) - Created launch website for Local Radio station for Wigan and St Helens 

LIVEcredits

The Southport 'Line Dance for Macmillan' - Compere (bi-annual) (2003-Present)

The Lune Valley Country Fair - Compere - CancerCare charity event (2011) 

DIY and Garden Show/Totally Tools - Live Host (2007) - Introducing and interviewing expert guest presenters at Earls Court, London 

Marks and Spencer - Compere (2006-08) - Store Revamp / VIP &more events (nationwide)

Southport Travel and Leisure Show - Live Host (2004) - Compere for industry show, appearing with Ken Dodd

Golfworld in the Park - Live Host (2004) - Compere for golfing industry show

Southport Flower Show - Stage Presenter (2004) - Gardeners Question Time with David Bellamy and stage interview with guest Jennie Bond.  Combined with presenting a weekend of radio outside broadcasts from the show

Thwaites Trade Fair - Compere (2003) - Stage presenter for brewery trade fair