FWD Motion
FWD Motion is a Sheffield, UK-based full-service digital marketing agency founded in 2005, serving B2B technology firms through IT channel marketing programs and SME clients across 15 countries internationally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersSeoul, South Korea
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What FWD Motion does
FWD Motion is a full-service creative and digital marketing agency founded in 2005 by Mike Priestley and headquartered in Sheffield, UK. The firm operates with an 11-person in-house multidisciplinary team and serves two primary customer segments: B2B technology companies (with a particular focus on IT channel marketing for vendors, distributors, MSPs, and VARs) and SME businesses across the UK and 15 additional countries internationally. Named enterprise clients include Arrow ECS, IBM, Fortinet, VMware, Phenna Group, and Nottingham Trent University.
The company's service portfolio spans four core lines: website development (WordPress and Umbraco platforms), digital marketing (SEO, PPC, social media), creative design and branding, and physical print production using sustainable UV ink technology. It additionally provides specialized IT channel marketing services, including MDF (Market Development Funds) program management, event delivery (notably Art of Security and Infosec programming for Arrow ECS), and content programs such as the IT Insider portal produced with IBM via Arrow ECS. The firm has launched an AI Optimisation service (including Generative Engine Optimisation) and operates Secprint as a sister company for print production.
FWD Motion generates revenue through project-based professional services engagements and retainer arrangements across all service lines. The business is privately held, founder-owned, and has operated continuously for over 20 years without disclosed external funding. As of 2025, the agency has relocated its headquarters to Sheffield City Centre, signaling a positioning upgrade and modest capacity expansion.
FWD Motion firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FWD Motion
- Legal name
- FWD Motion Limited
- Website
- https://fwdmotion.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- FWD Motion is a Sheffield, UK-based full-service digital marketing agency founded in 2005, serving B2B technology firms through IT channel marketing programs and SME clients across 15 countries internationally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FWD Motion industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Marketing Services
- NAICS
- Graphic Design Services (541430)
- SIC
- Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Customer Experience (CX) & Journey Strategy (MPAAAFAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Motion Brand Design (Title Design, Brand Animation) (MPAAAEAH), Motion Graphics & Broadcast Design (MPAHACAC), Motion Graphics & Animation (BPAFAIAD), VFX & Motion Graphics (CGI, Compositing, 2D/3D) (MPAAAMAC)
Keywords
Where FWD Motion is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seoul
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
FWD Motion business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Professional Services - Creative & Digital Marketing: Project-based creative and digital marketing services including web development, design, SEO, content marketing, social media management, and integrated campaigns. Delivered as one-time projects or ongoing retainer arrangements.
- Events & Exhibitions: Trade show marketing, exhibition stand design, build and installation, event management, and sustainable display solutions. Includes both product and installation services.
- IT Channel Marketing Services: Specialized marketing services for technology companies including lead generation, lifecycle marketing, omnichannel communications, outsourced marketing, and MDF program management for channel partners.
- Print Services: Large-format printing, sustainable print solutions, signage, hoardings, branded merchandise, and workwear. Includes both standard and eco-friendly printing options.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
FWD Motion product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FWD Motion is a Sheffield-based, full-service creative and digital marketing agency delivering website development, SEO, digital marketing, branding and design, content marketing, integrated campaigns, events and exhibitions, and specialist IT channel marketing services. Offerings are sold as project engagements or ongoing retainers to businesses ranging from regional SMEs to international enterprise technology companies across 15 countries, with deep specialism in B2B IT channel marketing for vendors, distributors, MSPs, and VARs.
Product overview
FWD Motion is a full-service digital marketing and creative agency offering an integrated suite of services. Their core offerings span Website Development (Bespoke Websites, Ecommerce Websites, Single Page Websites, Hosting & Maintenance built on WordPress and Umbraco platforms), Digital Marketing (SEO, PPC, Paid Social Media Ads, Social Media Management), Design & Brand (Graphic Design, Logo Design & Branding, Design for Print with sustainable UV printing, Motion Graphics), Marketing Services (Strategy & Planning, Copywriting, Content Marketing, Integrated Campaigns), and IT Channel Marketing (Outsourced Marketing, Events & Exhibitions). The agency combines creative, technical, and strategic capabilities to deliver end-to-end marketing solutions, with particular expertise in B2B technology sector marketing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Website Development End-to-end website design, build, and hosting/maintenance service covering bespoke websites, ecommerce websites, single-page websites, and ongoing hosting. Built primarily on WordPress and Umbraco CMS platforms and tailored for SMEs and enterprise organisations looking to establish or refresh their online presence.
- Digital Marketing Results-led digital marketing service covering SEO (including local, technical, and LLM-friendly optimisation), Pay-Per-Click, Paid Social Media Ads across Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, and full Social Media Management. Targeted at B2B brands seeking measurable improvement in discoverability on search engines and social media.
- Design and Brand Creative design and brand identity service spanning graphic design, logo design and brand guidelines, design for print (including large-format signage produced via sustainable UV ink direct-to-board printing), and motion graphics for video, social, and presentations. Intended for brands seeking distinctive creative output that elevates their presence in crowded markets.
- Marketing Services End-to-end marketing services covering strategy and planning, copywriting, content marketing, and integrated omnichannel campaigns. Combines blog and article writing, whitepapers, eBooks, infographics, newsletters, and video scripts with multi-tactic campaign execution for businesses seeking alignment between marketing and commercial objectives.
- IT Channel Marketing Specialist B2B technology marketing services for vendors, distributors, MSPs, VARs, and GSIs, including lead generation, automated lifecycle marketing, omnichannel communications, outsourced marketing, MDF budget management, video marketing, and co-branded channel partner campaigns. Built on 20+ years of channel marketing experience and delivered to technology companies across the EMEA region.
- Outsourced Marketing Flexible outsourced marketing service that extends in-house teams with strategy, copywriting, content creation, social media management, campaign execution, and analytics. Designed for businesses facing staff shortages, skill gaps, or evolving commercial demands.
- Events and Exhibitions Trade show and event marketing service for B2B brands and technology companies, including exhibition stand design, build, and installation, on-site event management, and sustainable display solutions. Demonstrated through engagements such as Art of Security for Arrow and The Showman's Show with sister company Secprint.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 600 attendees and 50%+ of Arrow's channel partners engaged at single event
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use FWD Motion
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
FWD Motion technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability4 records
Feature3 records
FWD Motion partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- SecprintminorSister company with complementary print capabilities. FWD Motion and Secprint attended The Showman's Show 2024 together to showcase combined event branding and print services.
- Rotherham TitansminorMain club sponsor and community supporter. FWD Motion sponsors the rugby team as part of commitment to South Yorkshire community.
- Sheffield EaglesminorSponsorship of Rugby League team championing Sheffield's rich sporting heritage. Part of FWD's commitment to regional community engagement.
- St Luke's HospiceminorCharitable partnership supporting Sheffield's hospice providing end-of-life care. FWD Motion contributes to fundraising and community initiatives.
- Rotherham HospiceminorCharitable partnership supporting hospice care in Rotherham. FWD Motion supports fundraising efforts and community engagement.
- Arrow ECScoreLong-standing partnership delivering IT channel marketing services, event marketing (Infosec), and the IT Insider news portal for Arrow ECS. FWD provides full-service marketing support across vendor and channel partner initiatives.
- IBMcorePartnership through Arrow ECS on the IT Insider end-user engagement program, delivering original and aggregated content across news, video, and podcast formats for the IT channel.
- FortinetminorFortinet Advantage program marketing campaign with Arrow ECS, involving multi-channel rollout to increase partner engagement.
- VMwareminorVMware Explained Video Series created for Arrow and VMware to deepen partner trust and market relevance.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
FWD Motion competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Velocity Partners: A specialist IT channel marketing agency focused on technology vendors, distributors and channel partners across EMEA. The most direct comparable to FWD Motion's IT channel marketing specialization across cloud, cybersecurity and SaaS vendors.
- Hallam: Hallam is a UK-based full-service digital marketing agency of similar size, offering SEO, PPC, content, web development and integrated campaigns to B2B clients. Directly comparable regional UK digital agency competing for similar SME and mid-market engagements.
- KISS Communications: UK-based creative and digital marketing agency offering web design, SEO, branding and PR services to SMEs. Direct peer for FWD Motion's UK SME segment, with comparable service scope and client profile.
- ThinkOTM: A B2B-focused marketing agency with expertise in technology and industrial sectors, offering content, campaigns and channel enablement. Comparable to FWD Motion's B2B tech marketing focus and integrated campaign delivery.
Broad incumbents
- McCann UK: A global advertising network's UK operation offering integrated creative, digital, content and brand services. Broad incumbent in the same marketing services category, but operating at much greater scale and serving global enterprise clients.
- Engine Group: A UK-headquartered marketing services group comprising multiple creative, media, and digital specialist agencies. Broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities in creative, digital, content and brand design.
- Bray Leino: A larger UK full-service creative, digital and media agency with offices across the UK. Comparable in service scope (creative, digital, content, events, media) but operates at significantly greater scale than FWD Motion.
- Dentsu UK: The UK arm of Dentsu, one of the world's largest advertising and marketing services networks. Broad incumbent offering creative, media, SEO, content and CX services comparable in scope to FWD Motion's full-service practice.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
FWD Motion social profiles
Digital presenceFWD Motion financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FWD Motion leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
FWD Motion funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FWD Motion M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about FWD Motion
What does FWD Motion do?
FWD Motion is a Sheffield-based, full-service creative and digital marketing agency delivering website development, SEO, digital marketing, branding and design, content marketing, integrated campaigns, events and exhibitions, and specialist IT channel marketing services. Offerings are sold as project engagements or ongoing retainers to businesses ranging from regional SMEs to international enterprise technology companies across 15 countries, with deep specialism in B2B IT channel marketing for vendors, distributors, MSPs, and VARs.
Is FWD Motion a public or private company?
FWD Motion is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was FWD Motion founded?
FWD Motion was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is FWD Motion based?
FWD Motion is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does FWD Motion make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Professional Services - Creative & Digital Marketing is the primary driver. The others are events & Exhibitions, IT Channel Marketing Services and print Services.
Who are FWD Motion's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Velocity Partners, Hallam, KISS Communications and ThinkOTM. Broad incumbents are McCann UK, Engine Group, Bray Leino and Dentsu UK.
Does FWD Motion have an API?
No public API is recorded for FWD Motion.
What industry is FWD Motion in?
FWD Motion's product category is Digital Marketing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAAAFAI, Customer Experience (CX) & Journey Strategy, with a secondary code of MPAAAEAH, Motion Brand Design (Title Design, Brand Animation). Its NAICS code is 541430 and its SIC code is 7330.