Sheffield tech firm's Hollywood deals spark recruitment drive

Sheffield tech company ZOO Digital has launched a recruitment drive as it gears up for growth fuelled by Hollywood clients - including a new global streaming platform.
By David Walsh
Published 25th Feb 2020, 16:18 BST
Updated 25th Feb 2020, 16:19 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The 250-strong company plans to grow its European workforce by 30 per cent - about 30 new people - and needs more office space in Sheffield, where staff numbers will soon number more than 100.

The subtitling specialist is based at City Gate, on St Mary’s Gate, where it has an R&D and production facility. Due to the pressure of space, the marketing and finance departments have recently been moved out to newly-revamped offices at 32 Eyre Street.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The firm needs software, QA and test automation engineers now, while teams including client service, language and media production are due to expand in coming months.

Zoo Digital chief executive Dr Stuart Green.Zoo Digital chief executive Dr Stuart Green.
Zoo Digital chief executive Dr Stuart Green.

Zoo has worked with Disney, Paramount, Sony Pictures, NBC Universal and Netflix.

Bosses are delighted to be working with one of the largest studios on the launch of a new global streaming platform.

Chief executive, Dr Stuart Green, said they wanted “exceptional thinkers and software development talent.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He added: “For more than 15 years we’ve been working with the largest entertainment studios and streaming platforms on the planet and gained real insights enabling our R&D team to create innovative software that helps our clients address the challenges of the rapidly-changing TV and movie industry.

The Zoo Digital team in Sheffield.The Zoo Digital team in Sheffield.
The Zoo Digital team in Sheffield.

“Now, we want to bring more exceptional thinkers and software development talent on board and make the most of the incredible opportunities Sheffield has to offer.

“Parasite making history with its Academy Awards success reflects how English-speaking audiences are more readily embracing foreign-language content.

“Streaming platforms are enabling the distribution of content into more and more countries. With greater demand for original programming and the launch of direct-to-consumer platforms such as Disney+ and Apple TV+, more content is being localised for worldwide release than ever, and we’re delighted to be playing our part in it.”

In the last four years, the company has grown turnover from $11m to $29m. The next annual results are due at the end of March.

Related topics:SheffieldHollywood