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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this week in MediaCityUK - parties, videos and logos
posted Tue 24th Jun, 2008 - 03:01 AM
Last week was pretty busy for MediaCityUK. On Thursday 19th June, Brian Greasley (Managing Director) was giving a quick talk at the b.TWEEN 08 conference at the Museum of Science and Industry. The 9 minute talk is available online, and while it doesn't really contain any new information, it does include a new MediaCityUK promo video (skip to 06:00) which has some new fly-through scenes of the development, and shows off the new logo.
This new promo was shown again on Friday the 20th at a huge party held at the Pie Factory. Over 400 guests were invited to the new MediaCityUK Studios to see what MediaCityUK could offer to those working in the media industries. The MEN has a brief write up here, and you can see pictures here (via SalfordQuays.org).
In preparation for the bash, the Pie Factory underwent a serious makeover last week, and now sports the latest MediaCityUK identity and logo, alongside industry related images. (Pics to follow). Finally, it looks like a new official website is imminent... watch this space!
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BBC staff reluctant to move to Salford?
posted Mon 16th Jun, 2008 - 11:33 PM
Both How-Do and The Guardian ran stories last week about the reluctance of BBC staff to sign up to a Salford relocation scheme.
Apparently only two members of staff have so far applied for the scheme which offers help in buying homes amongst other services, and could be worth up to £8,000 each.
The BBC’s chief operating officer Caroline Thomson was at Manchester Business School last week, and admitted that "Staff in London fall into two groups - some are still anxious about the move, while others are embracing it."
How-Do reports that assumptions about reluctant movers has prompted BBC executives into looking for replacement staff from North-West talent, but the BBC has said that Journalists haven't yet been asked to decide on moving.
So is it fair to label BBC staff as unenthusiastic, or is it simply too early to tell?
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Greasley expects £30 per sq ft for MediaCity space
posted Thu 12th Jun, 2008 - 05:37 PM
Crain's Manchester Business reports that tenants at Media City should be expecting to pay up around £30 per sq ft for renting space in the new development.
That amount is hardly competitive for the region, but Managing Director Brian Greasley points out it is a third of what you could expect to pay for similar space in London.
It is the first hint at prices so far for MediaCity, and the BBC are still the only confirmed tenants. It remains to be seen if such a price will have a negative impact on attracting young start-up businesses - and perhaps damaging MediaCity's chances of attracting the big dogs, who could be paying much less just down the road.
you can read the full article here, and a editorial view here.
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new MediaCity:UK logo & idents
posted Thu 05th Jun, 2008 - 12:23 AM | 1 comment
While browsing the website for the upcoming Media Festival (see previous article), I spotted what seems to be the new MediaCity logo. You can see it in context on The Media Festival website.
*UPDATE* - I stumbled across a colour version on the Big Chip awards site - and have replaced the image accordingly.
Unfortunately, if this is a new logo, the change hasn't yet made it's way to the official MediaCity site, which still has the previous 'beige circle' logo.
*UPDATE 2* - As artdictator has kindly pointed out in the comments, there are a few ident videos on youtube showing the new logo in action. You can see both videos below.
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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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