Digital marketing pioneer Chris Thurling has been appointed as the new chair of Bristol Media, the 600-strong membership group for the city’s burgeoning creative, media and digital sector.
Chris , pictured, founded 3Sixty – one of the region’s first web design and digital marketing agencies – 1995. He left the business 17 years later to set up Chris Thurling Strategy, a strategic consulting and coaching firm specialising in the creative industries. 
Chris takes over the from Paul Appleby, who has led the Bristol Media board for the past seven years.
Chris joined the Bristol Media board in 2010 and has been instrumental in helping the organisation and its membership grow, including championing Bristol’s international creative connections.
For the past three years he has led a delegation of Bristol and Bath-based creative businesses to the South by South West Festival in Austin, Texas – the world’s largest interactive conference.
Chris said: “I will be working closely with the operations team to ensure that Bristol Media continues to thrive and deliver valuable support to our growing creative sector.
“We are already planning a strong programme of training and events for 2017, culminating in our flagship Vision Conference in November.
“We live in uncertain times and there will be challenges for our sector but I am certain that the team at Bristol Media are in a strong position to continue to offer support and guidance to our ever-growing creative community.”
Paul Appleby will continue Bristol Media’s links with national organisations as a member of the Creative Industries Council cluster group and the UK Council of the Creative Industries Federation as they develop the position of the creative industries in the government’s recently launched UK industrial strategy.
Paul said: “I’m a great believer in succession planning and Chris has been a key member of the team for the past seven years.
“He is steeped in the digital community of the whole region and will be bringing a wealth of experience to the role, having run a successful digital business and as an experienced non-exec chairman, business coach and mentor.”
Bristol Media was launched in 2005 as an industry-led group to support, develop and grow an exciting and competitive creative and media community in the city.
It is now one of the UK’s biggest creative networks, representing digital, TV, animation, design, marketing, PR, publishing, film and advertising sectors.
It facilitates collaboration and growth across the region, delivering projects, events and opportunities for individuals and businesses working in the sector.
