It all started six years ago when two bright minds with a passionate goal decided to transform the way businesses, individuals and groups communicate using mobile.
Our innovative award winning platform 'Messenger' was born out of an idea by our founder Alastair Shortland. He joined forces with Darren Daws, and revolutionised mobile marketing and communications, with a dynamic interface that now serves over 75,000 businesses.
Our ethos encompasses a complete dedication to exceeding customer expectations, and this has been highly commended by industry experts. The awards have just kept coming. We have been listed as a Media Momentum top 20 fastest growing digital agency across Europe, won an Internet Business Award and a Global Messaging Award for our exceptional messaging infrastructure. More recently we were crowned Digital and Media Entrepreneurs of the year.
Today, Messenger is sending more than 25 million text messages every month. Textlocal is bucking all trends showing growth in turnover and staff numbers and now operate out of two offices in Chester and Malvern. Working with a wide variety of clients from all different sectors, from SME's through to multi-national's and charities. In fact, as part of our social mission we work closely with many charities, and were made famous on the BBC this year showcasing some of the great community work that we are involved with.
We are already experts in mobile marketing, we live and breathe it. We believe that it is important not to rest on our laurels so we're constantly keeping abreast and informed about the ever changing world of mobile media and marketing. To help us to do so, and be the opt-in SMS mobile marketing company of choice, we are members of The Institute of Direct Marketing, The Chartered Institute of Marketing and The Direct Marketing Association.
It takes a matter of minutes to set up a Messenger account and it will be ready with 10 free credits straight away. But, if you have any questions or would like to have one of our services explained to you then that's fine too.
At Textlocal our overall customer service strategy is anchored around finding a solution for our customers in all circumstances. Our friendly team are at the end of the phone within office hours, and out of hours we have an answer service which is picked up next working day answering any queries as quick as we can. Our customers tell us they like this level of service in the hundreds of testimonials they've written about us. Any customer can contact a member of the team via phone, email, through their Messenger account, or even chat live online to our team. You can also ask us to call you back so it won't cost you a penny.
Unlike many competitors, we have an in-house technical team giving us total flexibility to mould and develop our technology to suit the needs and desires of our customers. Our experienced team work on the philosophy that if a customer wants something new that would be useful for other customers, we can implement it freely and quickly. We are extremely proud of the fact that we can make technological changes and improvements to Messenger simply and directly in response to our customer feedback. This customer-led innovation is how many of our services have evolved. Our customers know that they have access at all times to technical support and most queries are dealt with within the hour.
Sometimes it's nice to put a face to a name, so below you'll find a little bit about the people behind Textlocal...
CEO and Founder
Alastair founded Textlocal as a bedroom start up and built "version 1" of Messenger. His driving vision was to introduce the power of mobile messaging to the mass market – simple, low cost instant communication for any business, service or community group. He now leads a team of technology experts at the Malvern Hills Science Park, managing the flow of more than 30 million SMS texts per month, Customer Support and Product Development. Alastair studied Computer Science in Nottingham before working for the Defence giant QinetiQ, and then on several projects for The Met Office and European Air Traffic Control. He is now a mobile marketing expert and evangelist and is happy to talk at length any time about the subject with anyone who will listen!
Managing Director
Darren runs our Chester office, spearheading the Sales and Marketing function, which includes Customer Service, Client Services and Public Relations. Darren graduated from Loughborough University, and spent the next 20 years working his way up the ladder in numerous marketing roles working for famous brands like B&Q, HBOS, AIG and Dixons Stores Group. Since 2005, he has used his skills successfully bringing the Textlocal service to market. You may find him speaking about mobile at high profile events, or in the press.
Marketing Director
Rob heads up the marketing and communications function from our Chester Office. A seasoned strategist across all channels with over 16 years industry experience directing and implementing national & international campaigns. Rob brings a relentless drive to the business pushing the Textlocal brand along at a furious pace. His agency-side experience with The Home Group, GyroHSR and The Direct Marketing Group provides experience spanning many, many business and consumer sectors. Client-side; Rob has held senior posts with AMP, rebranded Midland to HSBC and developed 'Churchill' the nodding dog. He has held Board positions in the public sector and ran major programme changes. An avid Chelsea supporter in his spare time, while at Textlocal you will always find him brainstorming new and exciting ideas in his energetic and passionate manner.
Business Development & Client Services Director
Jason leads the sales, business development and client services at the Chester Office. After studying Business Management & Marketing at the University of Wales, he has spent the past 20 years working in various senior management roles for brands like Capital Bank, Bank of Scotland, HBoS, Accor Services, and more recently as General Manager for Argos and Homebase as part of The Home Retail Group. In his spare time Jason is a keen sailor and runs a Cheshire based event management company, The Chester Treasure Hunt Company. You may find him out and about meeting new clients and presenting some of the brilliant work we do at Textlocal.
