ben sheppee /// audiovisual art + performance

DORSET - Published in the Echo Newspaper - VIDEO graphics entrepreneur Ben Sheppee has triumphed in the Echo-backed Livewire awards - winning the lion's share of £6,000 in prizes.

Ben, who has done work for rap artists Wu-Tang Clan and superstar DJ Paul Oakenfold, goes on to represent Dorset at the next level of the UK-wide Livewire competition.

His company Lightrhythm Visuals works with digital artists to create video graphics for promotional events, trade shows and sets for TV. They also produce video graphics DVDs plus downloads for mobile phones.

Ben, of Broad Oak, Sturminster Newton, honed his skills in San Francisco, where he lived for two years before returning to the UK to launch Lightrhythm Visuals.

"Over the last 18 months we have seen it grow into a functional business idea which has both structure and potential," he said. "Artists are being paid royalties and investments by key staff are being returned."

Runners-up were Roses & Garters wedding planner Samantha Everard of Pokesdown and Stuart Miles of Poole, whose Seashores business helps flat-owners self-manage their blocks.

All three won Daily Echo advertising packages collectively worth £1,000 as well as:

a year's membership of Dorset Junior Chamber, places at the annual DJC Ball and - for Ben - £250 to be spent on business training;

stationery vouchers from Ace Office Supplies;

marketing help from D&R Marketing;

a business reference book from Business Link Wessex.

Ben also won an executive chair from Guarantee Office Furniture, part of the BE Group.

Prizes were presented at Upton House by Poole Borough Council cabinet member Cllr Ron Parker.

Dorset Livewire co-ordinator and Prince's Trust vice-chairman Valerie Moore said: "All the sponsors were very generous. They realise the worth of supporting young businesses in the county."

Other sponsors were Bournemouth, East Dorset, Poole and Weymouth & Portland councils.

Judges were Reg Bodman of Business Link Wessex; David Dean of D&R Marketing (a Prince's Trust director) and Peter Hastrop of the Poole-based BE Group.