Zipline Creative Limited was a South Wales‑based independent production company specializing in film, television, radio and corporate media. Founded in 2008 by two former BBC employees, the company operated from its headquarters in Risca, southeast Wales, and produced content for broadcast networks, public‑sector campaigns and commercial clients.
History
The company was established in 2008, initially focusing on short‑form and viral video projects. Its early reputation was built around the “Cow” anti‑text‑and‑driving campaign commissioned by Gwent Police, which achieved extensive online circulation and media coverage. Following the success of this project, Zipline Creative expanded its portfolio to include television series, radio comedy programmes and corporate video work.
Television productions
Zipline Creative is best known for co‑producing the factual‑entertainment series Rhod Gilbert's Work Experience for the BBC. The series, which ran from 2010 to 2014, featured comedian Rhod Gilbert attempting a variety of jobs and was broadcast on BBC One Wales and BBC Two. The company served as producer, director, editor and on‑screen crew across five series of the programme.
Radio productions
In radio, Zipline Creative produced several comedy series for BBC Radio Wales, including:
- Social Club FM (2012‑2013), a sitcom set in a Valleys social club starring Elis James and Chris Corcoran.
- Passing On (2014), a six‑part drama about two brothers obliged to meet monthly under the terms of their mother’s will.
- The Unexplainers (2015‑2018), a comedy‑science series that later spawned a television adaptation broadcast on BBC Two Wales in 2019.
Corporate and public‑sector work
Through its corporate division, the company created video and multimedia content for clients such as Aston Martin Lagonda, the Institute of Advanced Broadcast, the University of Wales, Newport, and various local councils. Notable public‑sector campaigns included the “Cow” road‑safety video and a 2011 rainforest‑conservation appeal for the charity Size Of Wales, which helped raise over £1 million in donations.
Recognition
The “Cow” campaign received recognition from Advertising Age as one of its weekly Creativity Top 5 videos and was noted for its impact on the public discourse surrounding texting while driving.
Status
References to Zipline Creative in the past tense indicate that the company is no longer operating under that name, though its productions continue to be cited in media archives and industry references.