Geoffrey Handley is an entrepreneur, technology pioneer and investor. He is General Partner at investment firm Haitao Capital and serves as an advisor and board member to a number of portfolio companies. Handley's most well known as co-founder of the mobile agency, The Hyperfactory founded with his brother Derek Handley in 2001 and as outspoken Sinologist and author. Handley was also a founding team member of Asia's first intranet company, Pacific Connections, subsequently acquired by CHINA.COM during the dot.com era. He is also co-founder, with his brothers of mobile advertising network, Snakk Media, which listed on the NZX in 2013, becoming one of the first publicly listed B Corporation in the world.
In 2001, Handley founded global mobile marketing and media company The Hyperfactory with his brother Derek. According to the Company's website, The Hyperfactory claims to "power brands and businesses through the mobile medium" for clients such as BlackBerry and Coca-Cola. In July 2009 the founders sold a 19.9% stake to Des Moines, Iowa based media and marketing company Meredith Corporation. The valuation was not disclosed; the New Zealand Herald cites a valuation range of NZ$55–60m. In 2010Meredith Corporation acquired the remainder. As the most awarded mobile agency globally, The Hyperfactory won six Webby Awards in 2009 placing them second in the inaugural 'Global Webby Agency of the Year' award. The company was nominated for more awards in the Global Mobile Marketing Association Awards in 2007 than any other company in the world. At the 2008 Global Mobile Marketing Association Awards, The Hyperfactory won the most awards including two global categories. The Hyperfactory is also the winner of numerous Cannes Lions, Clios, Mobile Marketing Association, Marketing-Interative 2010 Agency of the year – Mobile 2010, IDC'S TOP 10 Wireless Companies to watch in America 2007, Effie's, DMA, OMMA, Deloitte Fast 500 Asia Pacific, AdTech and Webby awards, including AdAge Top 15 Mobile Agencies 2012 and iMedia Mobile Agency of the Year 2011, finalist in 2012 and 2013.
Contribution to the Industry
Having actively served the mobile industry globally since 2000, appearing, keynoting and participating in events including Ad:Tech, Mobile Marketing Association Forums, OMMA, iMedia, Informa, CTIA, Consumer Electronics Show, Mobile Entertainment Forum, Geoffrey has made great contributions. He has conducted high intensity executive workshops with corporate clients across the US and South East Asia, including P&G, GOME, Haier, Samsung, Unilever, Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, Nokia, Toyota and Motorola. He has been invited to serve on global jury and judging panels including the Webbys, the Mobile Marketing Association, Effie's and the Inaugural Mobile Jury at the 2012 Cannes Lions. In addition to being a sought after speaker, panellist, and futurist, Geoffrey has received the recognition from his peers for his contributions to the industry in the form of the MIN Online 21 Most Intriguing People in Media 2011, was appointed to the Global list ofTop Ten Mobile Thinkers by influential mobile industry body DotMobi, and was named one of the 40 Most Influential People in New Zealand Telecommunications. His startups have also been honoured as one of 100 Brilliant Companies by Entrepreneur.com in 2010. He has also held the positions of Global board director – Global Secretary Mobile Marketing Association, Executive board member – North America Mobile Marketing Association and Founding Executive board director – Asia Pacific Chapter Treasurer, Secretary Mobile Marketing Association. He has served on the iMedia Breakthrough Summit 2012 – Advisory Board & Judging Panel and the iMedia Agency Summit 2012 – Advisory Board.
Other Ventures
Geoffrey is currently working with the start-up and investment community in the US and Greater China to further the advancement of disruptive technologies and platforms. He is an active founder, investor, and advisor to numerous startups including his role as Co-founder of Australasia's leading mobile advertising agency, Snakk Media successfully listed on the New Zealand stock exchange in 2013 and now in voluntary administration. In addition, he is a Founding General Partner of China Scot Fund which is an early stage investment and consulting practice focused on advancing disruptive digital technology, investor to IMRSV, investor to Booktrack, investor and advisor to We&Co, advisor to Media & Marketing Technology Council in Manhattan and a limited partner and advisor to Eniac Ventures.
