North media companies chosen for BBC project

Feb 18 2010 by David Whetstone, The Journal

SEVEN North East media companies have been selected to take part in a new BBC commissioning initiative. The @North pilot project was devised by BBC Children’s, one of the five major BBC departments relocating from London to Salford.

Among its aims is to stimulate and inspire the digital sector across the North of England, a BBC region now incorporating the North East, the North West and Yorkshire.

It is also designed to tap into new talent to enhance the multi-platform content of the CBBC and CBeebies children’s channels.

The five Newcastle-based companies chosen are Cravens, Enigma, Mere Mortals, Qurios and TH_NK. Two Middlesbrough-based companies, Fluid Pixel and Ideonic, were also selected.

In all, 13 North East companies applied to take part in the scheme which is being run in partnership with regional screen agencies, including Northern Film & Media in Newcastle.

The chosen companies will be represented at a series of intensive workshop days where they will develop their ideas with BBC experts. The best entries will then go forward to a final commissioning selection process. It is anticipated that four final projects will be commissioned out of the £500,000 @North fund.

Adrian Mills, who is leading the project on behalf of BBC Children’s, said: “This new development process is about bringing people, technology and creativity together.

“We are excited to be working with the successful companies across the North to help develop bold ideas into fresh new content for our online users and audiences.”

Tom Harvey, chief executive of Northern Film & Media, said: “We welcome the increasingly close and productive relationship with the BBC.

“@North is a great chance to get to know the BBC and the ways our companies can work with them in the next few years.

“It is also a great opportunity for the BBC team to meet all the creative companies we have in the North East and see the wealth of talent we have.”

Peter Salmon, director of BBC North, said he was encouraged by the interest shown in @North with over 100 companies applying. He added: “This is a new way of working for us and, as well as more detailed work with the companies we are announcing today, we intend to stay in contact with all the companies who have expressed an interest in relation to future opportunities.”

The final list of successful commissions is likely to be announced in September.