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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Radio 5Live at MediaCityUK - with or without Mayo?
posted Wed 12th Nov, 2008 - 12:06 AM
Simon Mayo apparently doesn't want to relocate to Salford when BBC Radio 5Live makes the move to MediaCityUK.
But it's worse (better?) than that - Iain Dale has a list as long as a footlong baguette of 5Live presenters who are also 'unlikely' to reposition themselves - "So what we are looking at is a completely new presenter line-up on the news and current affairs programmes." (!)
It's just the latest in a growing trend of stories about BBC staff who are not entirely happy at the MediaCityUK move. Hopefully this mini-exodus from 5Live will pave the way for some fresh Northern talent...
(In case you were wondering - Simon Mayo will be ok, he is apparently going to replace Ken Bruce on Radio 2, but not until 2011. Goodness knows what will happen to Ken Bruce.)
(via How-Do)
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MediaCityUK Managing Director quits after less than a year; Update: MEN on why Greasley left…
posted Thu 06th Nov, 2008 - 07:35 PM
Shocking news! Brian Greasley, MediaCityUK's MD has left his position after less than a year in charge.
He was originally brought in to 'create the vision' for MediaCityUK and take the project forward towards the BBC's arrival in 2011. The reason for his departure is not yet clear, and the statement from Head of Communications Paul Newman is pretty vague - "Over the last 12 months, Brian has done a first class job in setting out the vision for MediaCityUK, and establishing a high quality operational team" and "[Brian is] now looking forward to seeking new challenges..."
The news has not come as a complete shock to everybody - a few commenters on How-Do say it was a long time coming, and in the past Greasley has been criticised for his speaking and presentation style at various events.
Greasley’s responsibilities will be taken over by group managing director of Peel Holdings Andrew Simpson, until a replacement is found. More info at How-Do and the MEN.
Update: The MEN reports that Greasley left because of "...a `mutual realisation' that he was perhaps not the best person to drive the project further forward." An inside source at MediaCityUK told the MEN "He had vision, but there was a feeling that his relationship with big public-sector organisations, including the Salford Regeneration Company, was not close enough, and that he needed to network more with people, an aspect of the job that he appeared not to like."
He goes on to imply that the lack of 'key player' private sector tenants and the failure to attract interest from 'big media hitters' in the United States may also have contributed to Greasley's departure. (full article)
Update #2: Crain's are also covering this story, focusing on the difficulty MediaCityUK faces in attracting tenants given the current economic climate, and now being without a Managing Director. (via SkyScraperCity)
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Major media company relocating to MediaCityUK… but who?
posted Mon 03rd Nov, 2008 - 11:49 PM
Update: the latest on this story can be found in this article - 'MTV wants its MediaCityUK…or does it?'
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The MediaCityUK rumour mill is in full flow after rumours that a major worldwide media company is about to announce it's move to MediaCityUK.
Currently topping the list are MTV, Sky, CNN, Al Jazeera, ESPN and TV5.
Actual details are slim, but the company is apparently a well known global brand, and we can expect more details within the month. MTV certainly seems to be the current front-runner, so watch this space.
Whoever it is will be joining the BBC, ITV/Granada, Salford Uni and.... QVC. We wrote about MediaCityUK's need to attract big hitters a little earlier in the year.
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MediaCityUK footbridge planned across the Quays
posted Sun 19th Oct, 2008 - 10:29 PM
It's been rumoured for a while now, but this week we finally saw some images of what the proposed MediaCityUK footbridge will look like.
Planning permission has been submitted for the bridge which will link MediaCityUK on the North Quay with developments on the South Quay in Trafford - in particular the space expected to be the new home of ITV/Granada. The bridge will apparently spin to allow ships to carry on down the canal.
You can read a little more detail about the bridge on property week. Personally I think it looks like an American Indian Headdress.
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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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