Media City Fry-Up, bumber July edition: Breakfast in Salford and yet more jobs…
posted Thu 15th Jul, 2010
If you haven't been following us on twitter or facebook (and why not?) you may have missed a busy week for MediaCityUK news.
- First off, the BBC has announced it's intention to relocate BBC Breakfast to MediaCityUK, Salford Quays. The story began as a strong rumour we picked up on twitter, followed by much speculation and generally negative responses from the national media.
The BBC moved quickly, and by Wednesday the move was officially announced. Helen Boaden, Director, BBC News, said: "BBC Breakfast is the most watched breakfast programme in the UK and loved by millions. It has a fantastic connection with audiences across the UK and we want to build on that."
Peter Salmon, director of BBC North said, "The move of Breakfast is especially symbolic as it is the first time a BBC Network News programme will come from outside London – a real vote of confidence in our new enterprise."
An attempt to create a full english Breakfast, if you like.
The move means that more than three hours a day of live BBC One output will now come from MediaCity, and around 88 roles across BBC Breakfast and operational posts are expected to relocate. It is yet to be seen how many current Breakfast staff will make the move.
You can read more details straight from the horses mouth. - Riding high on the wave of such an earth-shattering announcement, the BBC then surprised us all by announcing yet more jobs were heading to Media City, namely 43 positions from Marketing, Communications & Audiences and 75 from Future Media & Technology.
The BBC's Director of Future Media and Technology, Erik Huggers, said: "Just as Broadcasting House is associated with the rise of radio, and Television Centre with TV, I believe that MediaCity will become the BBC's centre for the internet age.
"Moving our connected TV and mobile product teams north, together with a core part of BBC Online, is very much part of realising this vision."
It was also announced that an additional two comedy shows will be commissioned by BBC North at MediaCity by 2012/13.
Sinead Greenaway, CEO at Peel Media (developers of MediaCityUK) reacted positively to this tidal wave of news - "We at Peel Media are delighted...This news is testimony to the BBC's commitment to make their new home here at MediaCityUK a success."
Again, you can read more details from the beeb itself.
How's that for a round-up? But wait, there's more! (I'll do these as one liners, I know you're busy)
- Salford Uni has announced the appointment of Jon Corner, founder of Liverpool based production house River Media, as their new MediaCityUK Director - replacing John Holland. More details here.
- Mammoth Graphics, who produce graphics for the BBC, ITV and Sky amongst others, have opened an office within The Pie Factory, MediaCityUK; their first base outside London. More details at How-Do.
- The Reverend Hayley Matthews has been named as chaplain to MediaCityUK by the Church of England. More from the BBC.
- Peter Salmon (Director, BBC North) has made it to no.84 in the Guardian's 100 most powerful people in media. Presumably after this week's announcements he'll be popping up a little higher next year.
- Peel Media is looking to fill a handful of new Technology and Studio-based roles at MediaCity - click here for the full list.
..so a busy couple of weeks overall, and still over a year to go before it's all truly up and running!
Be sure to follow our highly recommended twitter feed for all the late breaking MediaCity news...
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MediaCityUK topping out ceremony, views from the highest point (Updated)
posted Wed 08th Jul, 2009 - 09:33 PM
This afternoon I went to the official 'topping out' ceremony at MediaCityUK, a celebration of reaching of the highest point of the development.
At 300 feet up (on the 19th floor of the South Tower of the Studio Block) you can get a real sense of the scale of the development, along with some great views on all sides (hey look there's the Trafford Centre! Old Trafford! The Pennines!).
Looking down into the cluster of buildings that make up the hub of the site (Studio Block, BBC buildings) shows how quickly things are coming together, and you can already get an impression of how the place will look and feel in 2011.
You can see some quick photos below, but I will be updating later with some more detailed info and some better snaps!
Update: I've added a few more images from the ceremony (after the jump) - the final bolt being tightened by Kevin Gosney (Assistant Construction Manager), and Bryan Gray (Chairman of Peel Media), saying a few words. Here's what he had to say;
"Phase one of MediaCityUK is a massive undertaking and the Topping Out ceremony is an important occasion. Although MediaCityUK won’t be operational until 2011, the size and scale of the development means it has already transformed this corner of Salford Quays.
"Of course, the city will only truly come to life when it is filled with people, and as each day of the construction programme passes, we’re getting closer to welcoming the visitors, workers and students who will make this a true media community.”
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Sinead Greenaway appointed new MediaCityUK CEO
posted Tue 07th Jul, 2009 - 01:45 PM
MediaCityUK has today announced a new CEO in the shape of Sinead Greenaway, previously Operations and IT Director for Virgin Media Television. Sinead started her career in commercial radio, and has previously held senior roles at Emap PLC and ids (the Virgin Media, UKTV and online sales business).
Sinead said: “MediaCityUK is a hugely exciting proposition and the prospect of playing such a central role in its delivery was too good an opportunity to miss. I’m looking forward to working with the rest of the team to create a truly world class media community which will provide the sector with new and innovative ways of working.”
It seems that Sinead will be starting immediately, charged with the task of attracting a wide range of partners and working with those already on board.
Bryan Gray, Chairman of Peel Media said "The role of Chief Executive will be central to the successful delivery and management of MediaCityUK and I’m delighted to welcome Sinead to the team. Her wide-ranging experience means Sinead will contribute valuable insight and leadership to the organisation, and help shape the future of what is arguably Europe’s most significant media development.”
MediaCityUK has been without a dedicated CEO for 7 months, since Brian Greasley's shock departure in November 2008. Greasley only lasted 12 months in the job; hopefully Greenaway will be able to fare a little better.
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BBC staff continue to surprise everyone: over 40% of middle-managers say yes to Salford
posted Fri 03rd Jul, 2009 - 09:10 PM
42% of BBC middle-managers (ranging from senior journalists to engineers) have thrown their weight behind the move to MediaCityUK.
This follows the decision of senior BBC executives in May, when almost 50% agreed to make the move to Salford.
These numbers are apparently much higher than expected (30% was the beeb's own estimate for the latest round of decisions), and will be a big boost for BBC North and MediaCityUK. Looks like all that speculation about reluctant staff was a little exaggerated.
Director of BBC North Peter Salmon said "What is pleasing is not just the numbers but the quality of the people who are now getting engaged with our new enterprise...it is also really exciting that additionally more than 500 people, currently working in areas that are not due to move, have also expressed a strong interest in BBC North and finding out more about the opportunities..."
Dan Walker, presenter for BBC Sport has decided to make the move - "Having worked and lived in Manchester there is no fear-factor for my wife and family moving north. The difficult thing for us is leaving friends and our church in London. That said – the move is exciting and I am looking forward to working in an office packed with new stuff and being able to make even better programmes for the BBC."
So it looks like the beeb have done a good job selling the prospect of working at MediaCityUK - but could that be bad news for all those locals hoping for a job?
This story will continue to run, with an additional 114 people from BBC Sport making their decision later this month.
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MediaCityUK weekly round-up: Big money grants and more…
posted Fri 19th Jun, 2009 - 06:06 PM
The cash has been flowing freely to some of MediaCityUK's major partners recently, with both Salford University and Northwest Vision and Media receiving multi-million pound grants. All things considered, MediaCityUK is on a bit of a roll at the moment;
- Salford Uni has received £8m from the Higher Education Funding Council to help fund their new facilities at MediaCityUK. £6m of the grant money will be used to assist in funding the construction and IT costs and the remaining £2m will contribute to the purchase of specialist and technical equipment. (via Crain's)
- Northwest Vision and Media, who support and promote the creative and digital industries in the Northwest, announced over £2.7m from the Northwest European Regional Development Fund, and are relocating to MediaCityUK this autumn (opposite The Pie Factory on Broadway)
- Peel are in contract talks with US-owned international film and television giant Ascent Media, who could be responsible for the state-of-the-art studio and distribution facilities at MediaCity. The deal could be wrapped up by the summer. (More details at the MEN)
- As part of the Digital Britain report, the government revealed plans for a "Usability Centre for Video Games" to offer training and resources for the gaming industry, based at MediaCityUK. Nothing in the way of concrete plans - the government will "examine the options arising from a feasibility study". (via Eurogamer)
And finally....BBC staff can look forward to some even nicer views from their MediaCity offices as new exterior plans have been announced for the Imperial War Museum North (opposite MediaCity). The plans include a new landscaped garden, children’s play area and a water sculpture, with the first stage completed to coincide with the opening of MediaCityUK in 2011.
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I've just fixed the commenting system on the blog, which appears to have been malfunctioning for the past month or so. Apologies to anyone who has posted recently without any success, please do post again if you can be bothered! Jun 09, 2009 - 04:16 AM
CBBC are looking for new drama writers - if you fancy a future job at MediaCityUK check it out - http://bit.ly/10wvA0 May 21, 2009 - 01:14 AM
Not a lot of MediaCityUK news to report since the ITV bombshell, except perhaps this article from the FT about the positive impact MediaCityUK is likely to have on Salford and the surrounding areas. The article also provides a quick introduction to the local housing market - useful if you're looking at relocating to Salford. Mar 26, 2009 - 11:04 PM
Debate about the BBC's staff relocation packages continues to rumble on and on - Liz Hunt at the Telegraph says, "I can't be the only taxpayer with northern credentials who feels insulted by the implication that having to up sticks from the South East is akin to an enforced relocation to Mogadishu or Harare." (full article here). Meanwhile, Andy Spinoza at How-Do offers some relocation advice to BBC staff - "Some media people will find the value, community, and friendliness on offer in the likes of Monton and Eccles more appealing than the fancy nick-nack shops of Didsbury..." (full article here). Mar 13, 2009 - 12:22 AM
The Manyoo apartment towers in Salford Quays will be built, despite one of the developers behind it going into administration, reports the MEN. Manyoo will have 1,036 apartments over four towers that will `quite literally change the skyline of Salford Quays'. Mar 04, 2009 - 07:04 AM
Interesting article over at The Life of Wylie about the problems piling up for ITV; chief amongst them the need to make a decision about selling the Manchester site in Quay Street and moving to MediaCityUK, Salford. (via SalfordQuays.org) Feb 19, 2009 - 02:54 AM
Former journalist Aziz Rashid has been announced as the new head of BBC North West - "we have an exciting future ahead with our move to Salford Quays in 2011." (full article at the MEN) Feb 17, 2009 - 11:09 PM
The Guardian has a short article about some of the problems facing HBOS, one of which (according to the Guardian) is their £350m backing of MediaCityUK. (via SalfordQuays.org) Feb 17, 2009 - 11:00 PM
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