Alongside his role as Product Manager at Channel 4, Samuel is driving forward his own venture, the Film Finder app. His ambition is for Film Finder to become an industry leader that shapes how we consume film.
At the forefront of film
In a world of almost endless choice, Samuel designed Film Finder to answer the question “What shall we watch?”
“Scrolling through streaming platforms looking for a film can be a painful experience. People might try something that isn’t a good match and then feel like they’ve wasted even more time.”
Film Finder aims to help people find great films at lightning speed, based on their preferences. Having launched the app in 2023, Samuel is now using his product management skills to take it to the next level.
“I’ve learned more about what a good product looks like, so we’re building a more streamlined product that’s easier to develop and maintain, and creating a community of early adopters to help us perfect it. I’ve also grown our team, including hiring a software developer intern sponsored by the University of Southampton. The aim is to establish product-market fit and then transition into scaling.”
The power of persuasion
Initially attracted by its Russell Group status and the quality of education on offer, Samuel immersed himself in university life at Southampton, including a range of societies from filmmaking to mixed martial arts.
He also took advantage of employability sessions, CV clinics and career-focused guest lectures, and developed a particular interest in entrepreneurship through societies and initiatives such as Take Off and Fish on Toast.
“What I learned had a huge impact on how I think and work, and I’m still benefiting from that today. For example, how to do an elevator pitch – I went to workshops and practised, and eventually internalised it, and every time I go to networking events I sharpen that skill. Now it’s almost like a superpower!” In August 2024, Samuel won The Kickback's business pitch competition through using his skills and experience to pitch Film Finder.
Spearheading digital discovery
Samuel’s focus on career skills paid off; he was accepted on Sky’s highly competitive graduate scheme and later applied to Channel 4, where his achievements with Film Finder made him stand out from the crowd.
“As Product Manager, I’m part of Channel 4’s pioneering digital transformation. I work in ‘discovery squads’, exploring what kinds of features users need and creating a brief for the digital product build.”
One highlight of his time at Channel 4 so far was being product lead for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
“I was able to visit and get a flavour of it for myself. Being in the stadium, seeing the amazing athletes and different kinds of sports – it was a real experience.”
My Film Finder launch event hosted people across the film space and through it, someone got to sell their short film to a distributor – an example of how we can contribute positively within our sector.
Samuel Ajayi, BA Film Studies, 2019. Founder of Film Finder; Product Manager, Channel 4
Future film ambitions
Samuel’s original ambition was to be a film director, and he’d still love to make a blockbuster – watch this space for Film Finder Studios. Alongside this, his aim is for the Film Finder app to become a key player in the industry.
“We want to be recognised by the main film and TV bodies such as BAFTA (the British Academy of Film and Television Arts) and the Royal Television Society, and put the UK on the map when it comes to cool apps.”
