Beam was established as an in-house FTP process following the making of the film, Gladiator. This simple process enabled director Sir Ridley Scott to immediately review and approve visual effects work being completed by The Mill in London – while he was still shooting in Malta. This required a real-time digital platform with a toolset that would instinctively serve the demands of the filmmaking process.
In 2011 Beam has over 125 people working in London, New York City and Los Angeles servicing the creative and communications industries across the world. With a network of 100 partners internationally, Beam delivers a global footprint that is capable of sending commercial content to any screen in any market.
Beam distributes almost half of all UK television commercials and is the exclusive partner to Unilever for the international distribution of all its television commercials worldwide.
Beam has developed bespoke systems to manage the entry and judging processes for most of the world’s largest international advertising awards, including Cannes Lions, BTAA (British Arrows) and The ANDY’s.
Beam also creates and develops tailor-made, interactive in-store screen solutions, collaborating with retail brands including Nike Town and Nokia globally.
Today, Beam stores, adapts and sends thousands of assets to hundreds of television broadcasters worldwide, managing a secure archive in excess of 2,500,000 commercial assets that are digitally connected to every major online site.
Beam is part of The Mill Group.