Greasley planning venture fund to attract the next Facebook or YouTube
Media City News Wed 12th Mar, 2008
PropertyWeek.com has a great article about Brian Greasley's plans to launch a venture fund that will invest in Media City’s future tenants. There are not many details as yet, but the focus seems to be on attracting and supporting companies that will really put mediacity:uk on the map;
"The fund is still in the early stages of planning, and its size and length have yet to be finalised. Its purpose, however, will be to back Media City’s companies and help them create the next Facebook or YouTube."
Metrolink for MediaCity moves closer
Development News Wed 12th Mar, 2008
People in Salford will be able to find out more about plans for a new Metrolink service to mediacity:uk next week.
Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) is holding a special two day event at The Lowry in Salford Quays on Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 March. 3,000 questionnaires have also been posted to local residents and businesses as part of a six week consultation.
Hollywood director to speak on Salford’s media future
Random Wed 20th Feb, 2008
Hollywood film director Michael Apted, responsible for Gorillas in the Mist and The World is Not Enough, and currently working on the next installment of the Narnia films, will be speaking about the North West's media ambitions on Thursday 13 March at the Lowry.
The inaugural lecture is in memory of Granada leader David Plowright, and sponsored by the University's business club, CAMPUS, of which David was a board member for almost 10 years.
MediaCity:UK studios, offices, homes and hotel get planning permission
Development News Tue 12th Feb, 2008
Last Week (7 February) Salford City Council approved plans for a 'showpiece' 24,000m2 studio block, 3,200m2 of offices, a 11,000m2 hotel, 168 homes, and as a 2,116-space multi-storey car park, reports the Architects Journal.
The announcement represents only the 'first phase' of the development, which is also set to include a dedicated educational building in partnership with Salford University, and cafes and restaurants based around 15,000 square metres of public piazza.
CBBC sails to Salford, but where will the Blue Peter garden go?
BBC Tue 12th Feb, 2008
Update, July '09: For the latest on this story, please see: "Blue Peter garden still coming to MediaCity, minus dead pets, will be going ‘on the roof’"
The Sunday Mirror is reporting that The Blue Peter garden is to be dug up and moved to a new site in Manchester. It will be relocated when BBC children's TV moves from London to Salford next year.
Blue Peter's garden, which has been situated at Television Centre in West London for the past 33 years, contains the show's latest time capsule and a bronze bust of the show's pet dog Petra. All of the items will apparently be moved to the new site.
Doctor Who producer heading to Manchester, MediaCity eventually
BBC Sun 10th Feb, 2008
Phil Collinson, former Dr Who producer, is joining the BBC to become Head of Drama, Manchester, returning to the city where he started his television career.
Collinson will be charged with developing links with both on and off-screen talent in the region and contributing shows to the overall slate of BBC Drama Production when he begins in the spring.
MediaCity:UK could be new Silicon Valley
Media City News Thu 24th Jan, 2008
Brian Greasley, managing director of mediacity:uk has said that Salford could become the new Silicon Valley. Greasley also said the point of mediacity:uk was not to build a city, but to "change the way the media industry works".
Greasley was speaking at the Television for the Nations and Regions conference at The Lowry, during a session dedicated to discussing mediacity:uk. Also on the panel were Mike Ryan of Idaho Technology, Matt Locke, Commissioning Editor for Education and New Media at Channel 4 and Hugh Mason of Pembridge Partners.
BBC announces more jobs for MediaCity:UK
BBC Sat 12th Jan, 2008
The BBC today announced a 10% increase in jobs moving from London to mediacity:uk, making a new total of over 1,620.
Speaking at the launch of the BBC Connect And Create Partnership at Huddersfield University, the BBC's Chief Operating Officer Caroline Thomson said:
"As part of the BBC's drive to become less London-centric and more deeply rooted in the whole of the UK, we will be moving a significant number of additional staff to the new media centre in Salford Quays. All of this will strengthen Salford's place as a true network centre. And with a stronger BBC presence, there will be even greater potential for Manchester, Salford and the whole of the North of England to become a world class centre of media innovation and technology for the 21st Century."
