WHAT WE DO
We connect universities, colleges, and events with working professionals from the creative industries.
From guest speakers and panels to mentoring and student feedback sessions, we handle sourcing, matching, and coordination, so you get the right people, to meet your specific needs.
WHY WE DO IT
Educational institutions and event teams often face limited time, budget, and industry connections when sourcing relevant speakers. Traditional speaker agencies can be expensive and often focus on celebrity talent rather than working industry professionals.
Connection Made bridges that gap, offering direct access to experienced creatives at work in the industry today.
Industry engagement is a critical driver for career success, which enhances employability and accelerates professional growth. Engaging with industry professionals and organisations provides a competitive advantage for students and institutions.
Anita Gribble
WHO WE ARE
After spending my early years working in VFX and animation, I was drawn into higher education and became the Relationship Manager and later Head of Industry Outreach for Escape Studios in London. While I was there I grew our industry partners by 95% across VFX, Animation and Games, to include ILM, Blue Zoo and Epic Games among many others.
Through my work across international conferences and industry initiatives, I’ve developed a strong global network of professionals and partners.
I’ve organised guest speakers for presentations, panels, webinars, workshops and podcasts for events such as FMX, VIEW, B’Ars, Comic Con, EGX, THU, AWUK and the VFX Festival. I have also had the honour of participating as a juror for animation and VFX Competition including Siggraph Asia, VIEW Conference and World VFX Day.
Accolades that I have received have included awards from Cannes Lions, Promax, TAG, SCI-FI-London 48-Hour Film Challenge, Phoenix Film Critics Society Award, as well as a BAFTA nomination.
OUR SERVICES
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Curated professionals matched to your event or curriculum.
Standard price: £200 per confirmed speaker.
Introductory offer: £100 per confirmed speaker.
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Urgent replacement speakers in under a week.
Price: £300
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Ongoing support with priority booking.
Price: £400 per month for unlimited requests (negotiable).
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Flexible delivery, virtual or live. Additional costs may include travel, accommodation.
Optional speaker charity donations (£50–£200 typical).
TESTIMONIALS
“I’ve known Anita for years and I continue to be impressed by her professionalism, her warmth, her Rolodex and most importantly her integrity. Anita is a connector and given her incredible reach across continents, she is a powerful force. If I were still running ILM or Digital Domain, she’d have a slot on my team!”
“The most lovely talented honest sincere decent person I’ve met in a long while.”
Scott Ross
Founder ex CEO/Chairman Digital Domain, Ex GM ILM, ex SR VP Lucas Film“Anita’s passion for animation is obvious. I have worked alongside Anita for a few years, and her engagement with industry goes beyond expectation. Our students have all benefitted from her outreach, as she continually brings in top calibre industry mentors. All of which have helped to support the growth and development of our multi award-winning student body.”
Alex Williams
Dean & Director of Animation & VFX at Escape Studios“Anita has been a joy to work with due to her enthusiasm and professional approach to everything that she does. She is a consummate networker and is able to establish productive mutually beneficial relationships to deliver real benefits for the organisations that she works for and with. Can't recommend highly enough!”
Graham Harris
European (ROW) CFO at Boston LtdLETS WORK TOGETHER
Get in touch to discuss your requirements
