New Sunderland base for brother-and-sister duo’s growing video startup

Two North East siblings have moved their video agency startup into Sunderland Software Centre.

Craig and Victoria Measham set up Meash Media last year to provide video and animation services for small local businesses.

Following five months of trading from Craig’s spare bedroom, the company has taken space at Sunderland Software Centre as it gears up for growth.

Craig, who left a job in retail to pursue his business dreams, said: “We were always around cameras, so it all came really naturally to us.

“Both Victoria and I went to college to study it, and Victoria graduated a few years ago with a degree in Film and TV Production from Northumbria University, so we’ve honed our skills and really committed to making this work.”

The duo are following in the footsteps of their father, who had a photography and videography business when they were younger.

Craig continued: “I’d always thought about it; setting up a business of my own. And it just felt like the right time to take the leap. I spoke to Victoria and when she agreed that we should do it, I started looking at what support was available to get us started.”

As they had no experience in business, the Meashams enrolled on a Prince’s Trust course to broaden their understanding of setting up and growing a company.

Their aim is to make their offering accessible to micro-businesses, sole traders and other small enterprises that might not otherwise be able to afford video and animation services.

Victoria commented: “We want to give small businesses the chance to develop content to help them grow, and we believe so many would benefit from video but simply can’t afford it.

“By giving them the chance to get a video for a realistic price, we are helping them compete - to look professional.”

Meash Media’s services will include commercial video and photography, as well as wedding and ‘consumer’ photographic services.

Victoria added: “Our dad is really proud that we followed in his footsteps. He wants to support us as the business grows, which would be great, but we’ll need to train him up.

“He used to edit videos by physically cutting and splicing analogue film together, so things have moved on quite a bit in this industry. We’d love to work with him though.”

Meash Media has had help from MAKE it Sunderland, the business support and inward investment agency delivered by Sunderland City Council.

Council Leader Cllr Graeme Miller said: “It’s fantastic to see a new generation of entrepreneurs set up their business out of Sunderland Software Centre.

“We want this city to be an entrepreneurial place, where people are supported to set up and grow their business, and Meash Media shows that - by providing a high-quality space where businesses can set up and be supported with their growth - we are establishing Sunderland as a startup city.”