BBC - briefs for their radio websites

Went to a BBC event recently where they were spelling out some of their online requirements for the coming 12 months. Of particular interest (and top marks for clarity) was the presentation by Chris Kimber who handles the web side of the Beeb’s music and radio output.

Chris started off with a bit of hyperbole (“we are aiming to reinvent radio for a new generation”), but got better when he talked about detail.

For the Radio 4 website he is looking to really build a select number of the core programme brands online. These being: The Archers, In Our Time, You and Yours, Front Row and Woman’s Hour. Radio 4 aficionados are nodding in recognition, the rest look on blankly. So he is looking for interesting online content ideas from web companies that can develop these programme brands online.

For Radio 2, they want to use the website to encourage those in their audience (older, non digi natives presumably) who are not confident or proficient online to get used to the web. So he is looking for ideas that are extremely accessible, unthreatening and familiar to that audience. The example he gave which has already been commissioned from a (non BBC) web company is the Ken Burn’s Popmaster Quiz, based on the Radio 2 DJ.

For Radio 1, he mentioned that he is surprised how popular the Radio 1 chart show continues to be, ratings-wise, and so is looking for new interesting ways to use the chart data online on the Radio 1 site.

If any of those areas sound like ones where you think your company could pitch an idea to the BBC, then suggest you contact Chris direct. But remember, you need a decent trading and track record to nail any contracts with the BBC, so if you have the idea but not the company, then hook up with a partner who does.
If you need more info, drop me a line.

The Sussex Internship Programme - Final Stage

The first round of The Sussex Internship Programme is now in the final stage, with the shortlist of the top applicants with each of the participating companies who are now reviewing the CVs, and we are starting to arrange interviews.

It has been no mean feat to shortlist the top applicants, with the quality of applications this year very high, and the passion for what is happening in the industry tangible from this next generation of talent.

So we thought you would like to see some of the stats from the first round:
7270 Visits from 4435 unique visitors to the site.
562 Applications; 198 of them in the last 24 hours, with the last application at 11.57pm, 3 minutes before deadline!
149 Telephone interviews totaling 73.5 hours of interviews
120 Face-to-face interviews to arrange with 38 different companies
61 The most applications received by one internship.

And that’s not all. We are currently putting together the details for the Skills Fair to be held on the 12th November 2009; this is an opportunity for the internship programme applicants to come along and get advice from industry experts on how to get into the into; build on their skills and general career advice.

Plus the Portfolio Clinic to be held in the evening of the 12th too. An opportunity for talent to showcase their work to companies from within the creative industry.

We are also looking for companies to take part in the next round of the Sussex Internship Programme for placements that start in March 2010. We are looking to meet with the companies during October/November this year, so please visit the website to register your interest.