YouthNet blog

Friday Mar 28, 2008

"Seeing Mickey naked is never nice" - an interview with Dom Waghorn

April 2008 sees the departure of our longest serving member of staff – Digital Interactive Services Director, Dom Waghorn.

Before he goes we thought we'd sit down with him and hear all about what things were like in the "good old days", and where technology and the web might be heading. Read on for the results...

If you've got any questions for Dom, feel free to post them – just don't comment on his personal appearance.

Can you tell us what brought you to YouthNet?

It was in October 1998 and I'd just finished a stint working at the Guardian editing the Glastonbury website. I was looking round for contract web work and YouthNet were after someone to come in and develop a website for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. In my head, I'd come in, build the site, get it live and move on. I've now been here over nine years. 

What was it like in the early days? There are some highly disturbing stories involving Mickey Mouse...

Seeing Mickey naked is never nice. YouthNet's early office was a back room in the Disney HQ in Kensington. It was also used by Disney's entertainers as a changing room. We then moved to Haymarket, Panton Street (off Leicester Square), Angel, and now Old Street. Each office has been bigger, nicer and brighter, which is obviously a positive progression but there's something alluring about dingy, divey work spaces. Someone once said that the Panton St office looked a bit like a student house, which I thought was a compliment – we were in touch with our audience... there was also a lot of Age of Empire play and Napster use, so the comparison definitely fits.  

YouthNet must have changed a great deal since you've been here. What's been the biggest change and how do you think we've dealt with it?

When YouthNet was much smaller, we would try stuff out on a whim. Frankly, the risk was much lower (in terms of investment and audience numbers) so if it didn't go well, then it was hardly a disaster. Now we have (reasonably) rigorous project management processes and documentation. The technical infrastructure was also totally different. An air-conditioned comms room? As if. The servers sat, surrounded by fans in a corner of the office.   

This change was inevitable: TheSite.org was getting 10k users a month, now it has 550k; there are 50+ people rather than a handful; the turnover is 10 times higher. You can't run an organisation this size without a bit of process. The risk though is the dynamic, try-shit-out attitude gets stifled and drowns in paperwork.

Some things haven't changed at all. YouthNet's people still really believe in the 'cause' bit, love the potential of online and like to have a drink and a laugh. And there has always been pretty good coffee at YouthNet, always.

What about the web? Sometimes it feels like things are changing at an exponential rate, do you think that'll continue?

If you believe in Moore's Law, then yeah - more, rapid change in inevitable. The challenge, of course, is knowing which direction it will go. There are some reasonably safe bets. Mobile or portable access, for example is going to be massive but within this broad assumption, there are many questions about the type of technology, usability, appropriate services and cultural adoption across different regions. I also think we've just seen the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what is sometimes grandly called 'the democratisation of media'. Social media is in its infancy and it's going to be fascinating to see the impact this has in the next 5-10 years on mainstream media, marketing, advertising and the ways people connect with each other and companies. I'm not a blind evangelist for all of this – there are inevitably downsides and problems – but the change is unavoidable.

What do you think will be the biggest challenge facing YouthNet in the next few years?

Dealing with the rapid change mentioned above. It's also a real opportunity. YouthNet's target audience is the highest adopter of new technology of all age groups. As the internet expands on to multiple platforms, and becomes ever more embedded into every day life, how does YouthNet prioritise and develop in the most efficient and targeted ways? Keeping up is the challenge.

YouthNet's other key test is around positioning. For the past ten years, being an online charity was unusual and put YouthNet in a distinctive space. In ten years time, YouthNet's model with be the norm – so what instead will separate YouthNet out from the rest? (For me, the answer may be in what has always been YouthNet's key asset - its trusted content).

What's been the best thing that's happened at YouthNet since you've been here?

Getting picked on by the Daily Mail is always an indication you are on the right track and that has happened a few times. But the real 'wow' thing about YouthNet's work is the impact it has on its user base. Every week, our editorial team circulate a few comments from users who have used our services and this is really the point. This is one from a user of askTheSite:

"The adviser really picked up on my feelings and the situation. I did give a very detailed question however every part of my feelings was addressed and I felt as though the person was in front of me talking. I cried because I felt as though someone for once understood me on such a difficult situation that I am going through. They weren't being judgemental which I felt was really positive because sometimes that is the huge worry when you have a problem and feel as though you are causing pain to others and that you are to blame. Thank you very much and I will continuously reflect on the answer throughout my situation."

And the worst?

What annoys me and others at YouthNet is the frustration of not being able to do all the things we want to do. Our sites have so much potential and we've really only touched the surface when it comes to audience size and engagement. For example, both do-it and TheSite.org would benefit massively from higher levels of personalisation – but we don't always have the developer time available.

What are you off to do then?

Later in the year I'm going to go and drink good quality coffee and Sauvignon Blanc in the New Zealand sunshine. Until then, I'm consulting on content development and social media at digital agency Syzygy.

 

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