From a talented young guitarist in a successful pop-rock band to the co-founder of a global content agency, Josh Stockdale’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. As a teenager, he toured the UK with his band, playing in front of thousands at iconic venues like the O2 & Manchester Arena, and even worked with Johnny Depp’s Unison Music in Los Angeles. However, a desire to explore the world beyond the tour bus led him to a new chapter of creativity and adventure.
In 2016, with only $1,000 in his bank account, Josh began a journey that would shape his future, starting as a travel filmmaker in Bali with his best friend Alex Boulton. Together their creative storytelling soon caught the attention of global brands, tourism boards and led to partnerships with Lumix UK, MTV Travel, and more.
Under his leadership, Dream Beach Media has gained international recognition, winning multiple awards for its innovative campaigns and captivating storytelling. Driven by curiosity, creativity, and collaboration, Josh Stockdale continues to inspire and connect audiences around the world through his signature Dream Beach style.
From your early days as a touring musician to co-founding Dream Beach Media, how have those experiences shaped your creative approach today?
From a young age, I’ve found myself in unique, wild, and incredibly inspiring situations—whether it was recording studios with renowned artists or boardrooms with government decision-makers. What makes these experiences even more special is that I’ve shared every moment with my childhood best friend, Alex. We’ve been through all the highs and lows together, and I’m truly lucky to have him by my side.
I believe these shared experiences have shaped our perspective and given us a unique approach to life. We’ve developed a mindset that nothing is out of reach. When we’re working on new creative ideas, we aim as high as possible—shooting for the moon, and if we miss, we’ll still land among the stars.
What was the turning point that made you and Alex transition from music to filmmaking and content creation?
During the decade I spent in a band with my best friends from school, our ultimate goal was to play an arena together. In our 10th year, I found myself standing on stage at the O2, looking left and right to see Dan, Joe, Harry, and Alex beside me. There will never be a greater feeling in my life than that moment.
Throughout our time in the band, Alex and I took charge of producing the music videos and photoshoots to keep our social presence alive while touring. I discovered a passion for marketing the band and having creative control over how we were presented. At just 15, I even managed to secure a two-week development deal for the band with Unison Music in Los Angeles, funded by Johnny Depp. I was confident in my abilities to take us to the next level, but unfortunately, our manager at the time didn’t share that belief.
The turning point came after a tour with The Vamps. I was determined that we needed to advertise our own tour while still on the road to maximize our chances of success. When that request wasn’t followed through by the manager, I began to lose faith—and, eventually, my love for the project.
By that point, Alex and I had already caught the “wanderlust bug” after a life-changing trip to Bali, and it became all we’d talk about. Now, as I sit here smiling in a beautiful coffee shop in Bali, I know I made the right decision. That chapter may have ended, but it led me to where I am today.
Dream Beach Media has collaborated with some incredible clients like National Geographic and MTV. Can you share a standout project or moment that truly defined the agency’s ethos?
Dream Beach is authentic, fearless, and deeply personal. You’ll never catch us chasing trends just for instant gratification—we approach everything we do with heart and original flair. Six years in, we’ve grown into a boutique team of five creative minds, all sharing the same fearless and disruptive energy. We’re not reckless, but we are bold when it comes to pushing the boundaries of our industry. In such a saturated creative market, standing out is not just a goal—it’s essential.
A defining moment for us in the Travel & Tourism space was the introduction scene of our Visit Malta: More to Explore global media campaign. It perfectly encapsulated everything we stand for—authenticity, fearlessness, and originality.
We had an ambitious vision: to chase a single-engine plane with an FPV racing drone, capturing the stunning trio of Maltese islands from above before transitioning into Malta’s iconic Blue Lagoon below. Alex, being the creative genius that he is, went all in—sacrificing a drone and GoPro in the process. He sent the drone racing toward the lagoon at 100mph, creating a seamless and natural transition into an underwater shot. The drone was completely destroyed, but the result was worth it.
Why go to such lengths? Because Malta is renowned for its breathtaking beauty above and below the surface, and we wanted to communicate that message within the first 5 seconds—to instantly captivate the audience and set the tone for the entire campaign.
What challenges did you face when building Dream Beach Media, and how did you overcome them while establishing yourself in the global tourism industry?
I’m completely self-taught and self-motivated, without any formal business, college, or university education. But what I do have is an immense passion and relentless drive for everything I set my mind to. For me, Dream Beach isn’t just a business—it’s a lifestyle and a reflection of who I am.
The journey hasn’t been without its challenges. I’ve had to teach myself everything from managing accounts and navigating cash flow issues to marketing in different countries and building the right team. The list is endless. However, I’ve learned that embracing the process, understanding that perfection doesn’t exist, and being comfortable with making mistakes has been key. This mindset of constant learning and surrendering to the journey has allowed me to tackle both personal and business challenges head-on.
I believe our success comes from being relatable and trustworthy. We’ve built real relationships with our clients—they’re not just business partners; they’re friends. We go out for dinner, share stories about life, family, and the struggles we face. This openness and connection have given Dream Beach a unique relatability that our clients in the tourism industry truly value.
As a Creative Producer, what’s your process for designing campaigns that resonate with both global audiences and local cultures?
No creative process is ever the same. Sometimes the idea comes from a conversation with our team, sometimes it comes from playing a sports game, sometimes it comes whilst travelling and sometimes it even comes whilst listening to my favourite deep-house music. Yet ironically, it never comes when sitting down gazing at a screen.
I like to split my time up between reactive work, e.g. answering emails and social media requests and active work e.g. creating thinking space to be creative with minimal distractions.
Alex and myself block off valuable sessions where we simply brainstorm and this is usually when the magic happens. Once we have an idea, we’ll bring it to the team and see if it’s worth our time exploring or pitching to a client.
A funny story is that I had a vision to host an urban mountain bike race, in my beloved current home of Valletta in Malta. This idea was inspired by my love for Red Bull Bike events but also came whilst out swimming in the ocean – you never know when something will spark but you must instantly write it down!
With Dream Beach Media’s signature style and energy, how do you maintain a fresh and innovative approach to storytelling in a competitive market?
We take pride in having a signature style and energy, but we never allow ourselves to become complacent. We’re always striving to learn, grow, and improve.
I believe that once you meet or speak with us, we leave a lasting impression. Our passion shines through, and the uniqueness of our journey so far has shaped our ability to connect with people and tell meaningful stories. After all, storytelling doesn’t get more personal than sharing your own story.
We’re constantly researching new technology and exploring cutting-edge equipment to stay ahead of the curve. I firmly believe that by embracing and understanding advancements like AI, we won’t be replaced—we’ll be the ones who know how to tastefully integrate these tools into future projects.
Alex is a perfect example of this forward-thinking mindset. He adopted First-Person-View (FPV) drone technology at a very early stage and has since become one of the most respected pilots in the field, known for his distinct, signature style. It might sound unusual to say someone has their own drone flying style, but Alex has proven it’s possible. His skill and creative vision have led to collaborations with the likes of Lindblad Expeditions, National Geographic, MTV, and film commissions around the world.
You’ve mentioned 2025 will be a big year for Dream Beach Media. Can you give us a glimpse of what’s on the horizon for your team?
Our focus for 2025 is to continue growing Dream Beach Media not just as a creative production agency but as a brand in its own right. 2024 has created the perfect foundation for a pivotal year ahead. We’ve wrapped up this year with unprecedented success and influence, and we’re determined to build on that momentum.
A major priority for us is expanding our work with national and regional tourism boards. Over the past few years, we’ve worked hard to build a strong reputation, and now it’s time to secure more long-term partnerships that allow us to create meaningful and impactful campaigns.
In addition to creative productions, we’re also turning our attention to bespoke sports and music events. Hosting our first UCI-accredited urban mountain bike race in November 2024 was a huge milestone and gave me the confidence to dream even bigger. Moving forward, you can expect more unique, inclusive, and tailor-made events designed in collaboration with our destination clients.
And, of course, after this interview goes live, I’m hoping a trip to Monaco might be on the cards as well!
Reflecting on your journey from a musician to an award-winning content producer, what advice would you give to aspiring creatives looking to break into the media industry?
Don’t stick to the rulebook—be fearless, curious, and authentic. If someone suggests a video call, ask to meet in person. If your contract outlines 4 x 30-second videos, surprise them with 5. If it’s your best client’s birthday, send them a small, thoughtful gift.
In business, added value is everything. Once you earn trust, you’ll be recommended, and from there, the momentum just keeps building.
Lastly and most importantly, do whatever makes you happy, then it’ll never feel like work but a lifestyle. That’s the Dream Beach Media way.
