Content Focus: studentcooking.tv
- Published: 31 July 2008 10:27
- Last Updated: 31 July 2008 10:27
A new site aims to steer nutrition-starved students out of the pub and into the kitchen by featuring them in online shows.
The format
Studentcooking.tv is bidding to inspire the hard living, hard-up student community about culinary matters. The concept has been so successful that within three months of launch it won best contribution to new media at this year's RTS Awards.
From February until the end of May, the site was available exclusively to students at Loughborough University, and founders Simon Hormiblow and Oliver Harrison are planning further collaboration with another university within three weeks, and another four universities by the end of the year.
The site's concept was pitched to 70 universities more than a year ago and features subsections such as "brain food" and "pasta sauces". A section called "pimp my fridge" sees presenter Debbie King clear out the contents of a student's fridge with a view to improving their nutrition. "By using films of the students on their campus we created a real buzz around the site," says Horniblow.
He adds: "A year ago, we approached a number of indies regarding funding, but I think it was too early for them. Since then, there has been a great deal of interest from advertisers. The opportunities around student services, for banks, and food
producers are considerable."
How is it funded?
The first phase was funded by Loughborough University. The team is currently looking for funding from other universities and advertisers.
Who is behind it?
Simon Hormiblow, Oliver Harrison and Debbie King.
Why does it suit the platform?
From UKTV Food to BBC Good Food, cooking websites have a good pedigree. The young, targeted student audience is likely to enjoy participating and seeing their friends on the site.
