Inside Digital Mission NYC: ustwo

Digital Mission went to New York from 1st - 5th November, along with 19 leading, UK-based digital companies.

As part of the 'Inside Digital Mission NYC' series, each company was asked if they would like to go into a bit more detail and share their individual stories.

This mini-interview is with Julian Ehrhardt from ustwo, based in London.

What's your role within ustwo?

Business Development Director

What led to you being involved with ustwo? 

I joined ustwo™ in 2008, when I was borrowing a desk space having just left my own agency. Then I got sucked in and have never looked back (She'll take over your life if you let her). ustwo™ has been going since 2004 working in Mobile and TV UI design. Then the age of mobile finally came with the iPhone and business is stratospheric. We're now working with global brands on their next generation products and devices so there's so much exciting stuff going on I can't imagine being anywhere else.

Tell us a story about the mission...

Two us us got locked out of our hotel apartment on the first night at 3am. We then had to head into deepest Brooklyn to find a hotel (via Google Maps), got to it and found out it was for 'short stays' and had a bedbug sign outside it. So we hit a nearby bar and proceeded to ask people there if we could crash at theirs. Guess between the English accent and the likelihood that people who are drinking on a Sunday at 4:30am are more open we managed to find someone. We returned this New York hospitality by one of us moving their furniture around in their sleep, which kind of freaked our hosts out (as it would me). Anyway, after two hours sleep the three hour session on corporate, tax and employment law was most welcome (but testament to its value and content that I registered all the info).

What is the best thing to come out of the Digital Mission for you?

A comprehensive understanding of what it takes to begin to setup in the US. Could not have imagined a more condense starter course. That and an invitation to the HMS Daring when it ports in Portsmouth.

Who was your Digital Mission superstar and why?

So many, but enjoyed meeting Bob Schukai of Thomson Reuters, whose energy and interest in what is going on is a rare sight for a big company. Ogilvy we're also very warm and welcoming.

What's in the future for ustwo?

Opening in the US in 2011. This trip was the bedrock for our business plan. We're also going to be jumping out of the long grass announcing some very cool shit we've been working on over the last year with global brands and manufacturers.

Julian's Linkedin

ustwo's website // Twitter // Linkedin

Photo (c) Kathryn Corrick