NESTA Appoints Underwired for its Web Science

August 10, 2006 - Press Dispensary - The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) has appointed digital agency Underwired ( http://www.underwired.com ) to revamp its web presence at http://www.nesta.org.uk.

Underwired was appointed to the multi-phase project for NESTA after winning a three-way pitch, and is managing the whole site redesign including the information architecture. Phase one of the site rebuild is due to launch in late October 2006.

NESTA works to fund and transform the UK’s capacity for innovation. It invests in all stages of the innovation process, backing new ideas and funding entrepreneurial ventures. The revamped websites will have three clear strands: a human dimension depicting the spirit of enquiry and risk-taking throughout the UK; a financial dimension that gives businesses easier access to early stage risk capital; and a policy dimension that influences high-level policy making to support UK innovation.

Miko Coffey, head of web at NESTA, said: “Our aim is to become the most powerful catalyst for innovation in the UK and to be world renowned. We needed an agency that could create a website to reflect these new strategic aims and we believe Underwired’s huge experience and creative thinking will be a real asset to us.”

Felix Velarde, managing partner at Underwired, comments: “It is a privilege to design the online face of NESTA; an organisation which is instrumental in funding many of the UK’s most forward-thinking projects. Our aim is to bring NESTA's new brand positioning to life with a site that truly reflects its energy and entrepreneurial spirit.”

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About NESTA
The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) is working to transform the UK’s capacity for innovation. Its endowed finance of over £300m allows it to be a genuine risk funder and take a long term view, investing in promising ideas and ventures.

About Underwired
Underwired was set up in 1996 and is headed by Felix Velarde (managing partner), Jason Holland (creative director) and Lazar Dzamic (planning director). The specialist digital agency creates websites, eCRM programmes and online marketing campaigns for clients including NESTA, Orange Business Services, Virgin Holidays, the Barbican, Start-rite Shoes, Friends Reunited and AAR. . Underwired’s fee income grew by 50% in 2005, helped by the expansion of its eCRM activities, which earned the agency a BIMA Award for Best eCRM/Email Campaign, along with commendations at both the New Media Age Awards and Campaign Digital Awards.

For further information, please contact:
Felix Velarde, managing partner, Underwired
Tel: +44 (0) 207 012 3992
Email:
Site: www.underwired.com