Xavier Desseaux, SK 1994, founder of ooviiz, the first platform for booking audiovisual contractors and freelancers

Xavier joined SKEMA Business School in 1994 on the Lille campus. He was a member of the Primeline TV association, a fantastic experience that gave him a first taste of production using the resources available at the time. Xavier then worked internationally as a business developer for different startups in the fields of technology, AI, apps and SaaS.

Why did you create ooviiz?

It all started with me meeting Nathalie Idiart, who’s been working in audiovisual for 15 years, Olivier Carracilli, and Emmanuel Pacaud, the founder of a web agency. We wanted to combine our experiences and launch a venture together, connected with the digital, audiovisual and HR fields.

We’d noticed that people working in the audiovisual industry (TV, radio, film, advertising, events & entertainment) were still pretty “old-school” in their way of managing their resources and, more precisely, their technicians. Planning managers call around to find out if such and such a cameraman is available – hours of work that could be saved by digitalising this process. That’s how the ooviiz platform was born! Line producers can now choose the profiles that are available on the day of shooting and book them with one click. For technicians, it’s a way of finding more work. As an example, we made it possible for a Lille-based production company to get in touch with a video journalist in Bordeaux, and for a news network to connect with a video editor for the Cannes Film Festival, etc. These connections would not have been possible without ooviiz.

What are your challenges for 2018-2019?

We started trading in January 2018 and we now have more than 50 “Employer” companies, including TV networks such as France 24, radio stations, production companies, as well as ad and brand content agencies. Over 1,000 technicians are now signed up and this number is growing daily. We were lucky enough to have been “accelerated” by TVT French Tech Entertainment and we are currently raising funds for the first time through a seed round. We must continue to grow and prepare an international expansion plan to support our customers.

Would you agree that SKEMA Alumni is a big family?

SKEMA really is a big family. There is a real sense of belonging. People have different backgrounds, but among alumni you always feel heard and supported. It’s a real source of strength for all of us. We need to keep this spirit alive 😊

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