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 needs global hits… who and where will they come from?
posted Wed 23rd Jul, 2008 - 03:18 AM
Alex Connock of Ten Alps has written an interesting piece on how-do's weekly wrap about MediaCityUK's need to attract media companies who will deliver world-class output.
He lists a number of North West companies whom he believes MediaCityUK should be desperate to attract, and describes a number of methods that should be employed to convince these big-hitters to relocate to the Quays - whilst encouraging ambitious projects that would put MediaCityUK on the map.
Peel certainly could do with a few big names to help get the ball rolling, (there are already hints of how they plan to attract smaller start-ups to MediaCity UK), but is the North West really able to deliver these, or should they be looking further afield?
You can read the full article here.
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Paul Newman to head up communications for MediaCity
posted Tue 15th Jul, 2008 - 12:05 AM
The Drum reports that Paul Newman is to leave his job as Liverpool Culture Company's head of PR and public affairs, to become head of communications at MediaCityUK. As you've probably gathered by now, it's not the Paul Newman you would (no doubt) like it to be.
But it's not all bad news, as Newman is the former director of communications at the Football Association, and has previously managed projects such as the re-development of Wembley Stadium and the England team press office for the 2002 World Cup. Apparently he will begin working for MediaCity (Peel) in October, managing a marketing budget that is apparently estimated to be well in excess of £1m annually.
You can read the full article here, where they have a photo of the real Paul Newman (not the one who has his own range of salad dressings).
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new official MediaCityUK site launches, new timelapse videos and little else
posted Wed 09th Jul, 2008 - 09:39 PM | 1 comment
MediaCityUK launched a new website today, as the old one went AWOL.
Put together by Wash Design, the new site has little new information, but does have some new timelapse videos of the construction site, (see the 'site' section), along with contact details for all those interested in office and residential space.
The new site is definitely a visual improvement on the old one, but with no sign of a news or press section, it leaves something to be desired for those desperate for details. Surprisingly, the video that was shown at the recent MediaCityUK Studios bash, and the b.tween 08 conference is nowhere to be seen.
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MediaCityUK party verdict: it was crap
posted Thu 26th Jun, 2008 - 11:21 PM | 1 comment
The party at the freshly painted MediaCityUK Studios this past Friday will not be going down as the shindig of the year.
Comments on How-Do's party review are less than enthused about the event, with some people slagging off everything from the food and drink to the entertainment and even Mr Greasley's speech. Here are just a few choice quotes - in case they get removed (which apparently has already happened to a few - see comment #8);
"This event was utter crap. Short on substance - just like the food."
"Comedian was ok, beer was cold - but apart from that this was pretentious rubbish at it's best. "
Not a great start for MediaCityUK, but maybe they'll get it right next time.
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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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