p h otograp 08·12·09 Week 49 explore.gateway.bbc.co.uk/ariel h: step h: h THE BBC NEWSPAPER GIBSON en Staff with hidden talents among traders a at Pacific Quay Christmas Market

Quay to a crafty Xmas page 4

◆ Victoria Derbyshire ◆ Uploading the ‘next ◆ Cutting red tape – broadcasts live from big thing’ with BBC is dealing with HR Zimbabwe Page 3 Introducing Pages 8-9 easier now? Page 10

> NEWS 2-4 WEEK AT WORK 7 OPINION 10 MAIL 11 JOBS 14 GREEN ROOM 16 < 162 News aa 00·00·08 08·12·09 citizen journalism poses challenge The etiquette a Sharper skills needed to sort of social media a & a Room 2316, White City 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TS fact from fiction, says Boaden 020 8008 4228 by Sally Hillier Editor Nick Candida Watson 02-84222 u The rapid rise of user generated content Reynolds Deputy editor and social media sites promises new possi- Cathy Loughran 02-27360 bilities but has also ‘opened a can of worms’, Social media; we love it. I’m making a very Chief writer Helen Boaden, director of news, has warned. good living out of social media myself. Sally Hillier 02-26877 At a White City seminar on Monday, she But if you want to be ‘social’ it’s about more Features editor pointed to the ‘huge benefits’ of citizen jour- than just starting a Twitter account. For to be Clare Bolt 02-27445 nalism – during the February snowstorms, social is to be human. As Stephen Fry wisely Broadcast Journalist for example, the BBC received 65,000 pic- said recently, Twitter (and he could have eas- Claire Barrett 02-27368 tures – while making clear that there were ily said all social media) is ‘human shaped not Art editor also significant downsides to this particular business shaped’. media revolution. And human beings are strange creatures. Ken Sinyard 02-84229 Recalling the demonstrations over the Prey to emotions and irrational impulses, yet Business co-ordinator Iranian elections, when mobile phones and the only animal that worries ‘what’s the right Silvana Romana 02-84228 digital cameras captured images, Boaden thing to do?’. Ariel mail said: ‘Less remarked upon was the speed of The ethics and morals of social media are [email protected] their distribution and the way the social ground in the internet.’ still evolving. As everything and everyone goes Ariel online explore.gateway.bbc.uk/ariel media sites tried to drive the agenda. It was no coincidence that Robert Peston’s online, what becomes important is how people BBC Jobs 0370 333 1330 ‘Much of this activity centred on Twitter, blog had attracted up to three million readers behave, not what they’re called or what social where the hashtag Iran elections became the a day at the height of the credit crunch ‘be- tool they are using. electronic meeting point for those who want- cause people felt he knew what he was talking Recently two incidents have brought the ed to share news or to distribute pictures.’ about even if the bankers, economists and ethics of social media and publishing on- Guest contributors this week But while UGC had given the BBC’s Per- politicians appeared to have lost the plot’. line into sharp relief. First Rupert Murdoch sian tv service a direct relationship with its Social networks might be faster than main- described the likes of Google as ‘parasites’ martin asser, search engine audience over that dramatic period, there stream journalism, but the latter would have and threatened to sue the BBC for using his optimisation specialist, explains how had been ‘real editorial dilemmas’, Boaden the edge if it could continue to convince its newspapers’ stories. A few days later one of to ‘get to the top of Google’ Page 7 explained. ‘There was little balance on Twit- audiences that it was accurate and trustwor- Rupert’s papers, The Times, reprinted a tribute ter and the other social networks; they were thy, Boaden believed. to Edward Woodward from Edgar Wright’s per- Sharif sakr swapped his job as overwhelmingly in favour of the opposition She also wondered about the impact of sonal blog. The trouble was they had not asked a tv producer and investigative candidate, Mir Mousavi. social media on the system of liberal democ- Edgar’s permission first, nor had they paid him. journalist for a six month attachment ‘And there was a huge amount of false racy, at the heart of which was the idea that Edgar was understandably annoyed. So who’s as Working Lunch’s web producer information generated by people who wanted people could have a shared debate about the parasite now, cried the blogosphere? Page 15 to influence the debate on both sides. things that shaped their lives. Then the new chair of the Press Complaints ‘Errors which emerged on Twitter includ- ‘On demand news means that audiences Commission seemed ed the suggestion that three million people can simply opt out of that shared agenda if to suggest that the Jobs textphone 028 9032 8478 The ethics had protested in Tehran in the middle of June they don’t like it, can’t be bothered or find it PCC could regulate BBC Jobs John Clarke 02-27143 when it was probably a few hundred thousand; dull,’ she said. ‘I’m not sure that any of us – es- blogs. There was a tart and morals Room 2120, White City, London W12 7TS that Mousavi was under house arrest when pecially politicians – understand the potential reaction from blog- Advertise in Ariel he wasn’t; that the president of the election implications of this in the long term.’ ger Sunny Hundal. are still Ten Alps Media 020 7878 2313 monitoring committee had declared the elec- On the other hand, she thought that people’s Sunny pointed out that www.bbcarielads.com tion invalid – which he hadn’t.’ ‘natural curiosity’ about big events – whether in when bloggers make evolving Boaden believed that professional journal- news, sport, or entertainment – would always mistakes they correct Printing ists needed to acquire not just skills and train- pull them together to find out more. them prominently (one Garnett Dickinson Group ing in social media techniques, but sharper ‘In the future, it may be harder for our origi- convention is to leave the text online but with Rotherham 01709 768000 judgment about establishing facts. nal journalism to punch through a welter of a line through the offending section). However Subscribe to Ariel ‘That’s where I think specialism will be- information,’ she concluded. ‘But when big one of the long running complaints against the Six months: £26, £36, £40 come critical. In the BBC we will increasingly things happen, I suspect people will want PCC is that some newspapers, when they are Twelve months: £50, £60, £68 rely on specialists, to slice through the gos- proper grown up media they trust to tell them grudgingly pushed into admitting error, make (prices for UK, Europe, rest of world sip, trivia and opinion that can find a breeding the facts and explain why it has happened.’ sure that any corrections are buried well away from the original story and airbrushed out of respectively) history. ‘Thanks but no thanks. We behave bet- Cheques to: Garnett Dickinson Print, massed choirs raise the roof ter than you,’ said Sunny to the PCC. Brookfields Way, Manvers, So if you think social media is just an easy Wath Upon Dearne, Rotherham S63 5DL A THOUSAND un- seum, London and way to get a story, think again. One man’s story Tel 01709 768199 trained voices in Glasgow City Hall is another man’s personal tweet. Ransacking INFORMATION IN AN EMERGENCY London and 600 and master someone’s social media to get a news angle is Telephone 0800 0688 159 more in Glasgow the Hallelujah Cho- like jumping into someone’s garden, stealing Ceefax Page 159 www.bbc.co.uk/159 (including this rus from Handel’s their flowers, shouting ‘I need this for some- singer, right) united Messiah. The re- thing important’ and then jumping back over Ariel is produced by Internal at the weekend sults, says learning the fence again. Bad behaviour, unethical even, Communications for people at the BBC to sing Hallelujah, project manager and not BBC behaviour I would hope. raise the roof – and Ruth Milway, were You’ll also have to behave well while those money for charity. ‘overwhelming’: around you behave badly. Social media can The Sing Hallelujah ‘Even for some- be an emotional and partisan thing. I’ve been project, which has one like me, with called a parasite, and worse on message already involved no classical music boards. Indeed only this week I was dubbed a 500 choirs around background, the ‘power mad cretin’ by some anonymous wit the UK, is a BBC effect was totally who objected to the fact I removed his com- Learning and Radio uplifting,’ Children ment from the internet blog. Fearlessness, 3 collaboration in Need got a boost honesty, humility, a sense of humour and a PLEASE RECYCLE YOUR COPY OF ARIEL inspired by BBC with collections thick skin are all qualities you will need. Two’s The Choir. after the events. And these are not things you will learn on a The weekend’s The choirs can be training course, or through a new application spectacular was an heard in Radio 3’s on your iPhone. open invitation for Performance on Good luck and see you on Twitter! amateur singers to December 10. Visit mass at The Coli- bbc.co.uk/sing Nick Reynolds is social media executive, BBC Online

> ARIEL ONLINE: BBC NEWS AS IT HAPPENS – EXPLORE.GATEWAY.BBC.CO.UK/ARIEL< a 08·12·09 News 3 Dragon’s advice Victoria Derbyshire meets schoolkids in Harare for schoolboy inventor

Hemel Hempstead schoolboy Robert Appleton will be watching the Copenhagen Climate Change con- ference closely. He won a competition to have his ‘green’ invention presented to officials there, and then BBC News reporter Maddy Savage picked up the story. She arranged a meeting with Dragons’ Den inquisitor Deborah Meaden, who offered Rob- ert expert advice on marketing his idea. Fifteen year-old Robert came up with the Pow- erbump, a device which uses the energy created by traffic passing over speedbumps to power street lighting. Deborah Meaden was impressed: ‘I think the idea is absolutely bang on,’ she said. ‘Some of the green energy ideas are so complicated… this was very easy to understand.’ So would she consider investing in his idea once he’s worked on the detail? ‘Absolutely.’ Robert said: ‘She gave me some really good Derbyshire in Zimbabwe advice, like approaching car park companies be- cause they’re the type of business which might by Louisa Compton No amount of research, talking lar (or Obama dollar as one resi- 47s who she believed were Central use it [Powerbump].’ Did he find her as scary as to experts or journalists who’d re- dent called it) has seen the econ- Intelligence Officers operating on she appears on the tv? ‘No, she’s just a really nice ‘Let’s do our programme from in- ported from the country, could omy stabilise – supermarkets in behalf of Robert Mugabe’s Zanu- person and really friendly.’ side Zimbabwe’ – sometimes you prepare us for what we found. Harare are now full of goods and PF party. She wept as she spoke of Robert’s story will be on the News Channel, BBC say something and then (almost) Zimbabwe has been ravaged by inflation is back under control. We her certainty that they wanted to Revealed and on News Online at the weekend. wish you hadn’t, so impossible did hyper-inflation, food shortages, interviewed the CEO of Harare hos- kill her. the task initially seem. violence, the collapse of essential pital who told us that a year ago While in the country, Victoria Despite the lifting of the re- services and the intimidation of his staff went on strike for three did several interviews with other porting restrictions, which had ef- supporters of Morgan Tsvangari’s months because low wages meant parts of the BBC as well as nation- fectively prevented the BBC from Movement for Democratic Change. they couldn’t afford to travel to al newspapers but, perhaps, the reporting freely from inside the There are still countless reports of work. Twelve months on and the strangest interview request came country since 2001, trying to get human rights abuses. hospital is now fully functioning from America’s Voice of Zim- into Zimbabwe to do three hours We expected tension and that again. babwe service who seemed un- of live programming still proved people would be suspicious of us, We were aware that the situa- der the impression that our pro- a huge undertaking. There were but this was not the case. Every- tion in the rest of the country – gramme was going to be based countless times when we thought one we spoke to was friendly and outside the capital – is very differ- permanently in Harare. Perhaps our plans would fall through, but happy to tell us about their lives. ent. As one guest told us, Harare ‘is there’s something our bosses thanks to great help from our col- It was only when we asked what far from the real Zimbabwe, the aren’t telling us? leagues in the Johannesburg bu- they thought of President Rob- poverty is out there, the pain, the reau, Victoria, myself and an engi- ert Mugabe that they chose their suffering, the lack of money’. We l Louisa Compton is editor of the neer landed at Harare airport last words carefully. The worst thing spoke to Edith, a Movement for Victoria Derbyshire programme Monday to broadcast the first BBC that anybody would say was that Democratic Change party work- l You can watch videos made from domestic programme from the he ‘has his shortcomings’. er, who was recently attacked in inside the country on Victoria’s blog – country for almost a decade. The introduction of the US dol- the street by men wielding AK- bbc.co.uk/blogs/victoriaderbyshire Tree o’clock record Joining together to train future journalists A Northern Ireland team has by Huw Owen an’s head of a more flexible approach to pay up for a product which broken the Guinness World NCTJ delegates m u l t i m e d i a to their careers than in the many now expect to get free, Record for the most trees BBC Scotland welcomed the at Pacific Quay Tom Happold past. Alex Gerlis said that in citing the example of the BBC planted in a single location National Council for the and Alex Ger- an environment where cit- and other sites which don’t in an hour. One hundred con- Training of Journalists to its lis from the izen journalism and social charge. servation volunteers planted headquarters at Pacific Quay BBC’s College media is producing huge vol- The conference was wel- 26,422 trees in Gransha last Thursday, December 3 of Journalism umes of content, investment comed to PQ by BBC Scotland Park on Saturday as part of for their annual conference. along with rep- in quality journalism train- director Ken MacQuarrie. He BBC Learning’s Tree O’Clock The visit coincided with news resentatives ing gives the BBC and others said the move to the new HQ Breathing Places campaign. that the deputy director of from News- the opportunity to differenti- on the Clyde had greatly sup- The previous record was news Steve Mitchell is joining quest and STV. ate their product in a crowd- ported a drive to give staff 18,124 trees. the board of the NCTJ to help All the panel- ed market. new skills to provide news on Northern Ireland was com- forge closer links with the lists urged the There was also heated de- emerging platforms. peting against teams in body more traditionally asso- assembled uni- bate over ‘paywalls’ for web He added that the BBC’s Hainault Forest in Essex and ciated with training for the versity and col- content. John McLellan, support for training through- Heartwood Forest in Hert- newspaper industry. lege trainers whose Johnston Press group out the industry would be fordshire who planted 20,312 Around 80 delegates gath- to ensure that has just started a pilot charg- further underlined by the and 20,326 trees respective- ered at PQ to discuss how the core story- ing £5 a quarter for some of opening up of the College of ly. But organisers fear the bad news organisations should telling skills its local online content, said Journalism’s website to the weather scuppered hopes of approach multiskilling and of journalism now was the time to test the British public on December breaking the overall record multi-platform training to remained cen- market to see how much the 14. The move was warmly wel- for the most trees planted in properly prepare student tral to their public might be prepared to comed by delegates who said multiple sites in an hour. journalists to work in the in- courses despite pay for news. Other panellists that access to the BBC’s exper- Tree O’Clock photos can dustry in the digital age. with a panel that included the need to give students a thought newspapers would tise would be an invaluable be seen here: flickr.com/ The centrepiece of the event the editor of the Scotsman, much wider range of pro- now have to work very hard resource in helping train the groups/bbctreeoclock/ was a ‘Question Time’ debate John McLellan, the Guardi- duction skills and promote to persuade their readership journalists of the future.

4 News a 08·12·09

NEWS BITES

New HQ for Cambridge PANORAMA EDITOR Sandy Smith has been appointed to the new role of executive editor of The One Show, following Tessa Finch’s move by Bryn George, BBC East and East Midlands The multimedia to Vision Productions as head of operation in development. Smith, who has led The BBC’s new broadcasting centre in Cam- Cambridge could BBC One’s flagship current affairs bridge – home to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire and be a blueprint for programme since 2006, will take BBC Look East (West tv region), as well as the BBC other newsrooms, up the job in the new year. Local website for the county – is at the forefront says Jason Horton of integrated, multimedia news. (inset) Project canvas, the venture The new centre has been specially designed between the BBC, ITV, BT and five to ensure that the radio news editor, the 6.30pm to bring catch-up tv to the living news programme producer and a BBC Cambridge- room, has launched a website where shire online bj sit in a cluster of desks in the cen- the partners (as a collective) will tre of the newsroom, the editorial hub, within feet publish news and information for of the media hub. journalists, the public sector, the That means that all story commission- media industry and other interested ing and reaction to breaking news will parties. http://projectcanvas.info happen right at the core of the news- room within ear-shot of all the decision Wild China, the co-production makers on the day. Each story will be between the Natural History cross-platform from the start. Unit and CTV in China, was ‘Stories will have more creative treat- named best natural history or ments, maximising impact for audienc- English Regions, BBC Workplace, Fu- lined multimedia service’, as well as enhanced wildlife programme at the Asia es – however they choose to access the con- ture Media & Technology and Sie- local content. Television Awards in Singapore. tent,’ says Jason Horton, outgoing managing mens to bring the project in on time and Andie Harper was the first BBC Radio Cam- editor of BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, who moves to on budget. The completely refitted premises, near bridgeshire presenter to broadcast from the new Dorothy Wilson, chief executive Southampton as BBC South’s head of regional and Cambridge’s Science Park, replaces two separate, building last month: ‘Despite all of the technical and artistic director of the Midlands local programmes in the new year. outdated leases in the city. advances and brand new equipment, the highlight Art Centre in Birmingham, has ‘The newsroom design means we can adapt to The radio team began broadcasting from the for me is that I can now see the outside world. been appointed chair of the BBC audiences’ multimedia consumption throughout new base two weeks ago with BBC Look East mak- ‘For years I have broadcast from a studio with- Performing Arts Fund, which the day, and has been looked at by other newsgath- ing its first transmission from its newly designed out windows not knowing what was going on out- helps aspiring music-makers and ering teams as a possible way forward for them.’ tv studios on Monday (December 7). Lisa Reynolds, side, but now when I say it’s a bright, clear day or a performers. She replaces Jane Lush, The new HQ was a collaboration between BBC tv news editor, expected ‘a much more stream- wet, miserable one, I can see it for myself.’ former head of entertainment commissioning at the BBC.

Gaby Roslin is to take over Standards Wales roadshow from JoAnne Good as Paul Ross’s Every one a bargain co-presenter on BBC London 94.9 attracts 2000 breakfast show. Good is ‘considering role for Su Dawn Elrick, BBC Scotland re- other programme opportunities’ searcher and jewellery mak- Doctor Who’s Tardis, a chance to read the at the station. Roslin will join the Pennington er, plies her wares on The news, and meeting the cast of popular breakfast show in January 2010. Street at Pacific Quay’s Christ- Welsh soap Pobol y Cwm were among the Su Pennington has been mas craft market. Production attractions at a BBC Wales roadshow in JENNI MURRAY, presenter of Radio named as the BBC Acade- manager Olivia Rodger (knit- Pwllheli, north Wales. 4’s Woman’s Hour, has won the my’s first head of editorial ted hats) and senior trainer Around 2000 visitors enjoyed the activ- NatWest 2009 Spirit of Everywoman standards. She will step out Aileen Porter (Xmas wreaths) ities, which coincided with Green Wales, Award, in recognition of her of her role as head of editori- were among other in-house a season of environment-themed content position as an inspiring role model al policy for factual for a year, stall holders, although most being run by BBC Wales during December. to women and a pioneer in her field. reporting to Academy direc- were local craftspeople. ‘The roadshow gave us the opportuni- tor Anne Morrison. It’s the third time that ty to showcase [our output],’ said Gwenda Ken Crowther of BBC Essex won Pennington – a former PQ’s famous landings have Richards, editor of communities, BBC the local radio gardening broadcast news and education corre- hosted the market. Wales. ‘It was a learning experience not of the year title in the Garden Media spondent on Today, Newsnight Cover picture: art director only for the public but for the staff as well. Guild Awards. Other BBC winners and Panorama – will have the Rebecca Armstrong shops Face to face activity is two way communi- were Countryfile(best tv gardening job of integrating editorial for bargains at PQ cation in a fun and interactive way.’ feature); Grow Your Own Drugs standards training into the (best tv gardening programme); whole Academy portfolio, in- The Food Programme: Potatoes cluding what it offers for free- (best national radio broadcast); lancers and indies. Gardeners’ World (best website). At the same time, Vin Ray, ‘Cultural cloning’ blocks BME careers director of the college of jour- by Cathy Loughran know’ basis – it’s cultural cloning.’ – and they then tell a poor story out- The myChoices enrolment nalism, has announced that New BBC head of diversity Aman- side,’ Campbell said. window is open again for those he will leave the BBC in ear- The ‘who you know’ culture of broad- da Rice admitted the BBC was ‘way Michelle Mathersen, Vision Pro- who want to participate in the ly 2010 to pursue a broader casting is still blocking promotion of off’ meeting its targets for black and ductions talent executive, said cycle to work scheme, purchase freelance career. Among vari- ethnic minority talent. minority ethnic (BME) staff at senior the progress made on diversity on a health assessment or take up ous Newsgathering roles, Ray That was the message from the level which was why she wanted in- screen was to be ‘applauded’, but childcare vouchers. The window was the BBC’s first bi-media platform and the floor at a recent vestment in the mentoring and de- added: ‘Whether you go to EastEnders closes on December 31. For more foreign editor before joining highly charged meeting of the BBC velopment scheme – which nurtures or Emmerdale, you see predominant- information and to enrol go to: CoJo four and a half years ago. Black and Asian Forum, as diversi- BME and disabled staff with the po- ly white production teams. Where is http://sites.gateway.bbc.co.uk/ His successor will be recruit- ty leaders from the main tv compa- tential to be future leaders – to be the diversity of people making the myreward/myChoices.shtml ed in the next few weeks. nies were questioned by BBC and inde- ‘part of our core funding’. decisions?’ pendent programme makers. BBC London bj Evadney Campbell For another BBC staff member, BBC staff in west London are Even for Channel 4, it was ‘phe- was one speaker who saw the senior authentic tv portrayal was still in- teaming up with a local school nomenally difficult’ to get a more rep- manager gap as damaging: ‘At BBC adequate. The radical decision to and local church this week for BBC Worldwide resentative mix of professionals be- London there are few people from get rid of her tv set was largely due Christmas carols. The services take hind the camera and among decision any diverse background in manage- to ‘myopic’ depiction of black peo- place on December 8 (White City In last week’s Ariel, we wrongly makers, said the company’s head of ment. ‘The organisation might rec- ple: ‘Where are the black geeks who reception, 6pm); December 9 (St reported that BBC World- specialist factual Ralph Lee. ognise what we bring to the table don’t smoke dope and live in the Simon’s Church, Rockley Road, wide’s 2008/09 profits were ‘We need to break the network,’ but we’re not getting through, even suburbs, or the black professional W14, 6.30pm); December 10 (St £36m. The figure should, of he argued. ‘The industry functions at middle management level. So you struggling on their middle class sal- Stephen’s Church, Uxbridge Road, course, have been £103m. as a business model on a ‘who you lose good staff because of frustration ary to go to the Ivy?’ W12, 6.30pm). All welcome. a 08·12·09 Features 5 pig farmer turns tv charmer

Two to ‘popular, family viewing’ Claire Barrett learns how Jimmy Doherty’s with Jimmy’s Food Factory, which raw talent was nurtured into presenter gold has been bringing in 5.8m viewers to BBC One, despite a challenging ‘He wanted to make sausages,’ partner Michaela Furney as they slot opposite Corrie. Foulkes, says recalls Jill Fullerton-Smith of her struggled to run their rare breeds Fullerton-Smith, drove the use of first career counselling session piggery. It was the start of a tv everyday supermarket foods for with Jimmy Doherty – the unem- career, the latest turn of which has the outlandish experiments, used ployed science post-grad who propelled Doherty into the main- music that played to all parts of the had come to her office in the early stream. audience and slipped in the sci- noughties by way of a bit part in a Fullerton-Smith has turned a pig ence unnoticed, like vegetables in series about bugs. farmer into a hot tv property. a child’s meal. ‘I was in the science unit and But watching his early attempts Her one regret is that she wondered what I could do for an at husbandry fall down around him, couldn’t get her presenter to ‘have entomologist who wanted to work she did worry he was ‘mad’. It a damn shave’. ‘I’d never insist on with meat products. Then he said it, though; it’s who he is.’ he was thinking about getting a Jimmy’s Global Farm starts in small farm. That’s when I sat for- ‘Jimmy and I work January and will see Doherty ‘come ward – nobody had done agricul- well together, we of age’ as a presenter while discov- ture through a scientific prism.’ see each other ering how new farming technol- But it wasn’t just that. Fuller- often, I speak to his ogy could save the planet, while ton-Smith, then an exec producer, agent, I try to care’ – The Secret Life of … Cows/Chickens/ now creative director for special- Jill Fullerton-Smith Pigs – where he will explain domes- ist factual based in Scotland, had ticated animal behaviour through seen something in the funny, pas- made for good telly, though. scientific experiment – is in pro- sionate, young man with the easy When she made the leap to duction. Talent factory: manner. ‘Scientists are not usually Pacific Quay, she took her farmer ‘Jill and the BBC Scotland team Jimmy Doherty’s those kind of people,’ she says. ‘I with her, nurturing his on-screen have taken the idea of talent develop- latest vehicle wanted to spend more time in his naturalism into ‘down the lens’ ment to a whole new level,’ believes sees him recreate company, and I guessed that view- presenting poise with the help of BBC One controller Jay Hunt. ‘They processed foods ers would too.’ expert trainer Ian Blandford. ‘He identified Jimmy’s potential and in his Suffolk barn A few months later Doherty had gave Jimmy confidence and helped came up with formats that would play found his farm in Suffolk, and a him understand the crew,’ she to his strengths.’ taster tape of the zoology gradu- says. ‘Presenters can feel very But for Fullerton-Smith, it’s sim- ate pretending to be a farmer had exposed, but if they understand ply the protective instinct at work. won approval from BBC Two con- the fabric of production it gives ‘If I bring on a presenter, I’ll abso- troller Jane Root. The resulting them security.’ lutely look after them,’ she asserts. observational documentary series Series producer Jerry Foulkes ‘The BBC is so big, a presenter can Jimmy’s Farm followed Doherty and drove Doherty’s move from BBC get lost within it.’

Biggest Personality will take on The X Factor

by Sally Hillier Previously the programme has been host- and that the BBC Concert Orchestra ed by Liverpool and Birmingham. Going is involved. As for the main event, the The ‘biggest prize in sport’. That’s on the road has transformed what had decision by ITV to move The X Factor’s how Olympic gold cyclist Chris Hoy has de- become a rather tired format. ‘The show final results show from Saturday to Sun- scribed the BBC’s Sports Personality of the used to go out from a studio in TVC in day almost certainly will cost Sports Per- Year title, which he won 12 months ago. front of 500 sports people and representa- sonality some of its audience. Who will succeed him on Sunday tives of governing bodies, when it was cry- Describing the clash as ‘hugely dis- night? It’s too close to call, declares Carl ing out for a huge crowd,’ Doran recalls. appointing’ Doran says: ‘Both shows are Doran, editor of BBC One’s live ceremony, ‘Now it’s proper event television.’ similar in the sense that they attract big David Haye Mark Cavendish and in any case he hasn’t got it right yet. One of the challenges for Doran and family audiences, and part of the excite- Last year, for example, he thought swim- his team (fewer than 20, although extra ment is lost by watching a recording.’ mer Rebecca Adlington would win the staff are taken on in the immediate run- His own children love The X Factor but public vote. up to the OB) is making sure that every- have promised to ‘stay loyal to their dad This is the fourth year that Doran has one – ordinary ticket holders and sports and watch Sports Personality – although been in charge and each time the pro- stars – is in the right place at the right it’s a shame they have to choose’. gramme gets bigger and more complex. In a time. In order to record a separate pre- And will dad be putting his feet up first for Yorkshire, Sunday’s ceremony will show, which will go out next year, they once it’s all over? Not likely: planning come from the Sheffield Arena in front of must be in their seats for 6.15pm. The is already under way on Sports Personality 11,000 people, making it the largest Sports details are a surprise, although Doran 2010. Personality ever. Tickets became available in reveals that tennis commentator BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Andrew Strauss Tom Daley October and were an immediate sell-out. Andrew Castle is master of ceremonies BBC One, December 13

Andy Murray Beth Tweddle Jenson Button Jessica Ennis Phillips Idowu Ryan Giggs

6 Features a 08·12·09 Recipe for reaching new cutting audiences on mobiles edge BILL THOMPSON Online content and peaktime output is being Deeper remodelled for a medium that’s second nature to Meaning sought-after young users Rupert Murdoch, Les Hinton and other senior staff at News International have spent by Sabi Phagura the last few months painting Google and and Clare Bolt other search engines as parasites who live off their expensively created news content, For the unprepared indexing it for their own benefit while driving and feckless week- only low-value traffic to The Times and other night shopper, the newspaper websites. hours spent staring They threaten to remove their material blankly at the deli from view in order to erect paywalls that will counter, conjuring home, or a preview of the next episode. the forefront of mobile content.’ generate much-needed revenue, ignoring a recipe for sea bass It’s one reason why you’re more likely to The BBC has a big slice of the mobile pie: the fact that it is the collapse in print classi- roulade, may soon be find the BBC’s ‘underserved’ teenagers us- of the 13.2m people who said they used the fied advertising as much as free online read- behind you – if you’ve ing their mobile phones to access BBC con- mobile web, 5.5m were using BBC Mobile. ership that destroyed the newspaper model. got a smartphone in tent, rather than their PCs. ‘The BBC web- While the desirability of the browser- In response Google has offered to limit your pocket. site has always been the domain of the more friendly, touch screen iPhone has pushed the number of pages from a subscription BBC Mobile has launched a database of mature user,’ says Mark Kortekaas, control- up the numbers, Apple can’t take all the news site users can see by following links 10,000 recipes that users can pull up directly ler of audio & music mobile. ‘But for young- credit, says Lucy Stewart, senior research from Google News, a move that BBC technol- onto their mobile. Stuck for ideas, but know sters, the mobile is a necessary accessory. A executive. In the last year the number of ogy correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones rightly you have three apricots and some pulses in lot of mobiles now offer internet access, and people in the UK who describes as ‘minor’ the fridge? Type in the ingredients and, like it’s a far more appealing medium to them.’ own a ‘smart phone’– ie but which seems to in- a virtual Nigella, it produces a recipe for a mobile with advanced Google dicate that the search delicious tagine. The mobile team is even smartphones features like email, behemoth does not working on a ‘shopping list’ where you can Since August last year, the overall number internet and e-book does not relish this fight. tick off the ingredients as you buy. of people surfing the BBC website on their reader – has increased Google may be ‘We’re repurposing our existing online handsets has rocketed from 2.8m to 3.9m by 41 percent. ‘Peo- relish this right to back down, content so it works better for mobiles,’ – a rise of 74 percent. ‘Around two years ple with smartphones because although the explains Chris Yanda, portfolio exec for ago hardly anyone used internet on their tend to use them to ac- particular argument over link- mobile in Vision, who has been taking the mobile phones,’ says Kortekaas. ‘It’s still a cess the internet more ing and indexing looks BBC’s existing online food database and new medium, and our team is working hard frequently than non- fight like a desperate roll of making it work on a web device. to raise the profile of the BBC website. At the smartphone users, and the dice on the part of And the new smartphones are now so moment we’re in talks with handset manu- for longer periods, as it those who refuse to acknowledge the reali- powerful, his team can do ‘funky things facturers and network providers to see how tends to be much easier ties of always-on networks and perfect dig- just using web browsers, without having to we can get the BBC icon and brand name at to browse the internet on them,’ she says. ital copying, it also highlights a major weak- build proper applications’. Take the BBC mo- Content that people check on the move, ness in how the web works. bile prototype for Dreamland, BBC One’s new like news, weather or sport, are areas where On today’s web we need Google to find Doctor Who animation for Christmas eve. It’s the BBC ‘does really well’, says Kortekaas. documents for us because the documents been converted to a comic book for high end ‘Being able to access information when- themselves are simply collections of words, phones – with simple pans from one slide to ever and wherever you are, is clearly an images and embedded content. Google uses the next, overlaid with speech bubbles. advantage,’ he says. ‘Add to this the fact there brute-force methods to index and rank these If the sky falls in and you miss an episode are more user-friendly handsets around and documents, trying to make sense of the bil- of EastEnders, there is a service which al- the number of people using mobiles to surf lions of links between them on our behalf, and lows you to watch catch-up clips on the bus the net is only going to increase.’ it does so very effectively, most of the time. It doesn’t have to be this way. On the ‘semantic web’ links carry labels that tell the user – and their browser – what lies at the other end and what relationship is intended, while every web page incorporates a wealth of information about its provenance, owner- ship, history, content and, of course, cost. This is hidden from the reader but visible to the browser and other applications. Many BBC pages already carry this information. The semantic web is really a database that can be queried by any application that speaks the right language. Anyone can search for all pages about a specific subject or covering a particular news story because that informa- tion is encoded in the pages and available for

p inspection, and Google and its famed algo- hotogra rithms become less important. The argument over indexing news sites might encourage p

Mark Kortekaas: h content providers to look at the semantic : ANNA GORDON : ANNA wants the BBC icon web and decide that it can do what they want. and brand name That might worry Google a lot. at the forefront of Bill Thompson is a technology writer mobile content a 08·12·09 Features 7

SHAMELESS PLUG week@work Steve Drayton, afternoon producer, BBC Newcastle trade secrets After six years as part of a double act on the comedy circuit, I quit after I decided I was spending too much time in a car. My one man show – ‘I’m almost a 50 year old bloke and this is what I know about mu- getting to sic’ – took me to the Prague Fringe Festival and sold out Newcastle’s Live Theatre in May. I’ve been toiling on a follow up and I’m pleased to say my latest show has once the top of again sold out at the Live Theatre. Subtitled Cowell Killed Christmas, it high- lights the dangers of children singing google X Factor Christmas number ones instead of Merry Christmas Everybody. And that is by Martin Asser, search engine wrong at every level. optimisation specialist on attachment to FM&T Journalism With my role as a bad tempered King Canute, my futile attempt to stop the tidal As journalists at BBC News online, Words or Insights to find which search wave of talent shows taking over will see we’ve always considered ourselves is more popular and use it. historians saying ‘he was right’. pretty hot at selling our stories, using Maybe. tight and informative text and com- Title tagging: The title tag (text You can catch the show at Pave in Hull pelling images. But what about the 4displayed at the top of the brows- on December 13, but you had better hurry – millions who rely on search engines er) is the most important factor in there are only a few tickets left. or aggregated news pages? Or those gauging the relevance of your page following twitter, rather than the to any given search. Title tags should BBC? The truth is we’ve paid little contain the most important keywords attention to them until now. as near as possible to the front. It is The secret of making web content also what search engine users see on more visible to these burgeoning mar- results pages, so info should be com- kets is called SEO – search engine opti- pelling and coherent, not just a jum-

misation – and this is how it works. ble of keywords. In the old days (last gordon anna photograph: month!) the BBC’s title tags contained Anticipate keywords: Think about lots of irrelevant words – BBC Sport BBC IN ACTION 1the most likely search terms people | Football | My club | M | Man Utd, fol- Feed your head: chef Gizzi Erskine would use in Google to find your sub- lowed by the headline. prepares a thai curry and cheese ject matter and make sure they appear cake for St Barts undergrads prominently in your content, prefer- Linking: Google puts a high ably in the headline. Don’t use stylistic 5 value on how many links there variations like pig virus if you think are to any given URL (web address). It people would instinctively set swine helps hugely therefore, if your page flu as their search parameter. Include is linked up by bloggers, tweeters and full names in headlines, if you think other websites, so do all you can to searchers will too. encourage such activity.

Don’t just guess, check: Free web Sitemaps and URLs; A sitemap 2tools can show if you are target- 6shows search engines what’s on ing the right keywords. Google Ad- offer, so it can more easily access the Words tells you the number of times freshest and most relevant infor- particular search terms have been mation. URLs can be built to include used in the past two months and com- keywords which would add to the link pares them with other terms. Google juice accumulated by the page. We Insights compares search terms as need to do more work on these, percentages going all the way back beyond the quick wins already adopt- to 2004. ed by the News, Sport and Weather website. Look at Google results: Find out if 3the main search engine recog- Awareness and journalistic nises a connection between keyword 7culture: This is my main job, to put variations. For example, does Google SEO at the heart of our editorial proc- realise that Spurs and Tottenham ess with advice, feedback and hope- Hotspur are one and the same? (no) fully sharing good news about how What about Man Utd and Manchester many more referrals we are getting United? (yes) In the former, use Ad- thanks to SEO. changing places reminder How do you grab a student’s lemongrass and a little help Mental Health Foundation, who Rather than trawling through attention? Unless you’re from the BBC Headroom’s tour- say that 12 percent of male stu- From attachments to each other’s coat pockets and upturning Carnage UK or you have a fist- ing Grub Club. dents and 15 percent of females jobs, David Aston and Nick Bull cushions this January, remem- ful of festival tickets, free food Backed by Radio 1’s Aled will suffer from clinical depres- are to swap places for good – Aston ber you can apply for a staff loan usually does the trick. Haydn Jones and chef Gizzi sion at some time. to head of programmes at Radio to buy your season ticket. Last week a group of hun- Erskine, the Grub Club is going ‘We want to improve students Bristol, Bull to head of programmes You can pay in six, ten or 12 gry students from Barts and on the road promoting healthy understanding of the relation- at Radio Gloucestershire... Vision monthly instalments and since the London Medical and Den- eating among students, while ship between food and mood in has appointed its first head of con- train and underground fares go tal School put cadavers to one driving home the message that an informal and fun way,’ says tent release: ‘Troy’ – the former up from January 2, it’s worth side, rolled up their white coat what you eat can actually influ- Headroom exec Nina Bell. ‘It’s business manager for portfolio and applying now. sleeves and made a green thai ence how you feel. also about encouraging the multiplatform – will schedule web tinyurl.com/BBCseason curry from scratch – thanks to The campaign is inspired by the social side of cooking.’ and short form content. 8 9 The next big things ‘My gap year is being a pop star,’ laughs George, from brother and sis- ter synth-pop duo Muuchu. Six months ago the 18 year-old from Herefordshire had finished college and was planning on doing the uni thing – a plan that band was swiftly dropped when they were aid recently offered a record deal by a Bir- tion and – if they’ve about their rela- mingham-based record label. From the Ting Tings to Florence, BBC got what it takes – an- tionship with the It’s all thanks to Introducing. Or, other once it’s been BBC at that early more accurately, it’s thanks to Muu- Introducing has been breaking new acts played (the latter be- stage, then that’s chu’s surprisingly enterprising dad since 2007. And they’re feeling a little ing particularly help- fantastic.’ who put three of their demo record- ful for directing rela- Part of the in- ings into the Uploader and sent it to Pop tarts: siblings Milky and George overwhelmed... Adam Bambury reports tives to iPlayer). This Introducing...Jason Carter itial impetus be- their local Hereford and Worcester boards,’ says George. ‘We kind of didn’t ease of access has hind Introducing Introducing show without telling feel deserving; it’d been such a short meant stations have was the feeling that them. ‘He said, there’s this cool Up- time since we were recording at home.’ Ladies and Gentlemen, we are This process was made a whole been swamped with the BBC wasn’t get- loader thing, and showed us it,’ re- The record deal followed, as well as floating in MySpace – a world where lot easier with the arrival of the new tracks, making it hard to lis- ting recognition for its work sup- members George. ‘Then he told us he’d a slot at the Introducing Stage at Un- every young troubadour with a com- Introducing Uploader in Febru- ten to them all (and you can help – porting unsigned musicians. ‘There already done it. We didn’t think much derage Festival at Hyde Park. Recent puter, cheap guitar and relationship ary. Developed by BBC Interactive, it see box) – but the diversity of music were lots of other media that seemed would come of it.’ gig offers have been flooding in from issues can get their music online and means bands no longer have to find that’s resulted, the ease with which to get a great deal of credit, but that The station liked the track so much as far afield as Norway. Apart from a their bedroom video on YouTube. The money for cds, envelopes and glitter that music can now be passed around didn’t really compare to the scale of they invited the band into their stu- few initial jitters – ‘a year ago Milky problem is that everyone’s at it – and to send their demos to a local radio the BBC and the increased brand what the BBC was doing,’ he says. dio for a live session – a pretty nerve- [his sister, Muuchu’s singer] wouldn’t they’re fighting with their contem- station they can’t find the address of. recognition for Introducing has And a band’s success need not racking proposition for the duo, con- have even sung in front of me, she was poraries for the ear of a slowly deaf- Instead, they can upload tracks with made it worthwhile. be confined to the corridors of the sidering that it was their first ever live so shy. This has changed her as a per- ened music industry. a click of a button and their postcode Then there’s the prospect of giving BBC. With the advent of the Upload- performance. It was something they son; she’s far more confident,’ George That’s where BBC Introducing will identify which regional show it a leg up to the next big thing, who of er, record labels are starting to sit up soon had to take in their stride – H&W confides – they’re taking the fast-track comes in. ‘It’s basically a tool for mu- should be sent to. course won’t forget who gave them and take interest. ‘They’re particu- forwarded the band’s tracks to Huw to musical success in their stride. sicians,’ explains Jason Carter, editor It’s even smoother from there. that helping hand at the start… larly interested in the stuff that’s fil- Stephens for his 6 Music show, and ‘People always ask us how long of Introducing. ‘If you’re in a band Once the track has arrived and been ‘It’s a nice thing when they come tered by us,’ Carter smiles. ‘I’m sure he liked what he heard enough to book we’ve been going. We tell them six and you want to get your music on heard by someone at the BBC, the through and they’re successful,’ Cart- they’re thinking we can do their job them for a session at Maida Vale studios. months, and they’re like: ‘I’ve been try- the BBC, this is the place you go.’ artist receives an automatic notifica- er says. ‘Of course if they then talk for them.’ The band did four tracks and an ing to get on the radio for eight years,’ Launched in 2007, Introducing interview. ‘We were in this crazy leg- George laughs. ‘We’ve been very lucky acts as a ‘one stop shop’ for bands and endary place with our tiny little key- with it.’ artists seeking airtime on their local New tunes staff wanted radio station and the chance to play at a major festival. The website show- Since its launch in eight weeks to volunteer cases live footage of the acts and has a February 2009, more than a maximum of two hours a comprehensive help section where the 10,000 artists from across week to sit at their desks likes of Foo Fighters’ main man Dave the UK have uploaded and listen to music that’s Grohl gives tips on everything from their music using the been uploaded from across playing drums to avoiding drugs. Introducing Uploader. the UK – the perfect chance The industry Links with musical gatekeepers It’s a lot of music to listen for music fans to check out around the BBC has meant that Intro- to, so the team behind and promote new music. Ewan Hall, promoter, a session at Maida Vale and have ducing has always been a ‘one BBC’ Introducing is offering Peer group radio & TV followed and backed her every step proposition, with local radio teams Indie rockers Airship musically-minded BBC n To apply to be a of the way. The Introducing stamp of sifting through torrents of tracks and at Introducing staff the opportunity to volunteer, go to That’s my name: BBC Introducing were on board approval has worked hand-in-hand passing on any golden nuggets to the Live in May get involved. tinyurl.com/bbcintro Ting Tings with Florence and the Machine with radio support, which began specialist national shows, who then They are looking for a Closing date is Katie White on stage long before most people had heard growing steadily over that period push the finest gems on to the likes team of 20 people every January 5 2010 at Glastonbury of her, taking her to the South by and it played a big part in bringing of Radio 1 and the festival stages. South West festival in early 2008 – her to the attention of other media a massive opportunity for a and labels. young artist who at the time It’s an invaluable platform had no record label and for new bands to be heard and hadn’t even released seen and their track record An upward spiral: Tim Bearder a single! They also of getting it right at the Introducing gave her the has been pretty stage, Cornbury festival introducing the local talent spotters opportunity impressive so Presenter Tim Bearder, BBC bury content for tv, and she put them Producer Chris Long, BBC Presenters Will Walder and to record far. Oxford introducing, on the on BBC Two as part of the coverage. Manchester introducing, on the Marie Lennon, BBC Wiltshire band Stornoway Then they went on to play Jools Holland uploader Introducing They sent in a little letter with a cd last month, and they’re still complete- The Uploader is a fantastic tool – I Will: The thing about the ‘next big saying they’d seen me out and about. I ly unsigned. couldn’t sing its praises enough to be thing’ is that you always know that for went to one of their gigs and I was the From us supporting them, it’s just honest. The only downside is that it’s every signed band there are eight or only person in the audience – just me been an upward spiral. They’ve done made it so much easier for bands to get nine bands that are better. A&R people and the band in a tiny little venue in really well and they’re our biggest to us that the volume of tracks we get is are notoriously lazy, so the bands that Oxford. I really liked what they were achievement to date. staggering. Since February we’ve been get signed are not necessarily the best doing, played them and watched their sent about 1500 tracks, all from the ones. Unsigned music in this country is fan base develop. Greater Manchester area, and it’s a daily fantastic – playing it is not something In 2006 I barricaded myself in the ra- job to keep up with it. you take with a pinch of salt. dio studio and just played Stornoway Saying that, it’s allowed us to access Katie: It’s about getting the balance for a whole hour. I was suspended for areas that we’ve had difficulty getting right between keeping it local and a couple of days, but I was passionate into before. With the rock scene I can go thinking about where these bands about the band – and it’s been great see- out and talk to promoters, but the urban could be going. If we get something ing them come on from there. We put scene was much more difficult to get in- really good through, like Gabby them forward for the Radio 1 Big Week- side – now with the Uploader we get as Young, we’ll send it to 6 Music or Ra- Mercury Prize nominee end, and they were spotted by judge Ali- many urban, rap, soul, whatever tracks dio 1. We try to be outward looking Florence Welch on stage son Howe, who is the producer for Jools as traditional rock, and are able to help but also retain that community feel at Reading 2009 Holland. She also looks after Glaston- Urban hymns: producer Chris Long them as well. Home grown: presenters Will Walder and Marie Lennon keep it local as well.

10 Opinion/Analysis a 08·12·09 When we outsourced HR, did we take it a step too far?

Lucy Adams: get paid within three days; recruitment.’ She feels the sometimes strained rela- Four months after a ‘There’s a little n a simpler freelancer booking portal which will tionships with outsourced partners Capita (HR Di- less heat, re-use existing information, halving paperwork. rect) and Steria (payroll services) have been improv- survey showed only a little less User testing and training has begun; ing too. ‘Some of the problems are not even about anger…but we n a ‘How Do I’ manager’s tool on Gateway, for them, they’re about us. In any case, BBC people is 17 percent of staff are still have a long advice like how to deal with HR Direct and only as good as the HR Direct service that staff expe- way to go’ engage a casual; rience and any organisation only gets the contrac- n a feedback group of frequent HR Direct users; tors it deserves. People who work here don’t care satisfied with HR, BBC n PeopleView – a map of the organisation that will whose fault a problem is, they just want it fixed.’ be live on Gateway by mid-2010, to clarify who’s Solutions might be as simple as using one proc- People is doing more to who in terms of reporting lines; ess instead of several: ‘We used to have four policies tedly significant savings of £50m over ten years n BBC People representatives at meetings between on drugs and alcohol, now we have one,’ she says. – may have been too extreme. Benchmarked users and HR Direct, to determine if problems lie Adams has also appointed leadership and change simplify bureaucracy, against other public sector companies and, more with Capita or in BBC corporate policy; champions within her team to look at things like so, against the private sector, BBC people is short n more call-handling training for HRD staff; line manager induction into HR and identifying but some users say on in-house HR advisors, she told Ariel. It might n a dvd explaining BBC people services for all new where and why BBC People is saying ‘no’ to clients. be time to bring a few more back into the busi- joiners, also to be available on Gateway. The forthright HR leader concludes: ‘We’re on an they’re still wrestling ness – one projected future model suggests three Adams senses ‘a little less heat, a little less an- aspirational journey that will take three to four times as many. ger’, from staff: ‘Typical comments have gone years. By then I want BBC People to be perceived as ‘When functions were outsourced we took a from, ‘it’s a disaster, and here are two or three easy to work with by our clients and by HR profes- too much red tape dramatic reduction. The question for me is, did current examples…’ to ‘it’s still bad’, but when sionals as a cv-enhancing employer.’ we go too far? If clients are saying it’s not good pressed for examples, they are fewer or not Before that, she’ll be enhancing her own in- by Cathy Loughran enough, did we undercut the service? recent,’ she observes, fully admitting there’s ‘a very sights into what the core business is up against ‘When you consider the extra workload in the long way to go’. with a voluntary spell as a runner on Blue Peter. No one was too surprised when users of BBC HR BBC connected with compliance, we are quite light. ‘We’re nowhere near as good as we need to systems gave a resounding thumbs down this sum- Intuitively, that’s how it feels on the ground, why be on occupational health – we’ll continue to mer to clunky processes, lengthy paperwork and we’re creaking a bit.’ She adds: ‘I don’t think we’re drive on that – and we’re a bit lacklustre on faceless service providers. looking for major investment or even more num- BBC People director Lucy Adams says the bers, just a little reshaping to make BBC people results of the client perception survey could more divisionally focused.’ have ‘backfired’, disincentivising her teams. Meanwhile, system improvements under Instead, they’ve been spurred into action, develop- way or already delivered include: ing a number of new ways of doing things more n annual-only paperwork for simply and increasing ‘client’ contact. freelancers who now widely As some of the regular users who spoke to Ari- use an electronic contracting el describe here, some familiar frustrations persist. process, including contract con- But in other target areas, like freelance hiring and sent online; invoicing, smarter processes are already cutting n Supplier Self Service, which time and paperwork, making sure people are paid lets freelancers create their in days, not weeks. Other moves aim to plug obvi- own invoices, submit ous gaps – like making sure everyone knows who them direct to SAP and their line manager is. Since the survey, hundreds more users have been consulted, says Adams, who wants sat- isfaction rates to be at least 50 percent, as opposed to 17.6 percent, within two years. The new director is also taking a hard look at the make-up of her teams. Less than six months into the job, she feels the original outsourcing of 260 HR staff to Capita in Belfast – to make admit-

Longer serving HR Direct employees Ceri Andrews, production allocator, seems to be a monster with tons and have a much better understanding of BBC Wales tons of information, but I think even The user experience BBC needs and diverse demands. But HR has got a bit better, but what still that is improving all the time. occupational health remains a chal- bugs me are the emails generated, SUZANNE JONES, production co-ordinator detail on payslips, it’s hard to sort out lenge – time delays, missing forms and each with a different case number! Andy Cooper, editor, tv news, Newcastle The Supplier Self Service system for what’s gone wrong. a complete breakdown in communica- I have a member of staff working Recruitment is the biggest issue for freelancers, trialled at EastEnders, is the tion. I’d say it’s a resource issue. for me who retired four years ago after me. It used to be enough to send a first BBC system I’ve found that actual- Local radio managing editor 40 years’ service. I’ve been using him simple email requesting what you ly feels like it’s there to help – almost There are still so many annoying Frequent contractor in Vision since he left, sometimes on a casual wanted to a recruitment consultant. no opportunity for error and people’s hoops. Someone returning from a I think it’s a mistake having two basis, but he’s had various contracts as Now it seems to involve endless form- money in the bank within days. It even career break STILL has to provide cop- separate companies running HR well, so you’d think they would have a filling to both request an advert and produces invoices in the BBC approved ies of their passport to show they can Direct and payroll. And there is record of him by now. then appoint someone. The forms re- format. It works. work in this country – even though still too much paperwork – like the At the moment he is on a flexi con- peat themselves. The process takes far However PAYE contracts are still a they’ve worked here for many years additional Pay Change Form you have tract which took ages to set up as they too long. problem. Weekly paid drama produc- before they took their break. to fill in to extend a contract, even kept getting his name and job descrip- tion crew are on non-standard rota if people are acting up and there is tion wrong – so I had been using him Mark Hurrell, managing editor, patterns that alter due to changing Rani Randhawa, HR and development no change in salary. That’s ludicrous for ages before it was sorted. BBC Gloucestershire production schedules. With so many manager, Birmingham duplication. There are some relaunched HR forms stages for one contract to be proc- My experience is good. As long as I’ve been contracting people here Paul Elliott, intranet officer, BBC Wales coming our way which, on the face of essed, there are too many chances for I ensure I provide ALL the relevant for 15 years and I still find it labyrin- I’d say some things have improved over it, look much simpler. I think you have human error. Some of our crews work- details for a transaction, it’s pretty thine. Solutions? More support for the last six months, like all My Ben- to be patient with processes these days. ing across productions get underpaid, much done within hours of HR Direct escalating complex issues and more efits stuff is now easier to get to and HR Direct appears to be improving, overpaid or paid late. As there is no receiving it. HR advisors back in the business. My Risks too. Generally, Gateway still although it’s been patchy in the past.

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Party faithful BBC Worldwide Licensing replies: I look after the BBC Manchester BBC Worldwide, and our toy part- retired staff and organise an annual Pause a moment and enjoy the pace of Pat ner Hasbro, changed the colour of Christmas gathering, which has been My two young children enjoy a daily dose turning on the hoover and re-entered the room the Upsy Daisy doll after research funded by Manchester management of CBeebies and, quite frankly, as a working to watch more. The pace was so slow it seemed showed a small number of people for many years. wanted the toy to more closely repre- With the recent announcements mother it is a necessary adjunct to my sanity. alien. Everyone was speaking in a gentle, unhur- sent the figure used in the live-action about funding Christmas parties, the However, keen to expand their viewing reper- ried way. The red van was pootling. Envelopes part of the programme. As a result, funding for this, quite rightly, was toire I picked up a 10p Postman Pat video from were fluttering. The cat was yawning. all Upsy Daisy dolls made since the cancelled. Needless to say, there was our local charity shop. I peered at my children. Why no protest? Why early part of this year feature a dark- much disappointment – not least er face colour than on former lines. I positioned the children, as is the Sturt cus- no jeers? They too were mesmerised. because this year’s event was likely to The newer version of the Upsy Dai- be the last event before we move into tom, on the sofa, jolted the antiquated video Perhaps we don’t need our kids programmes sy doll has been appearing in shops Media City at Salford Quays. player into life with a kick and commenced to be so frenetic. Try going from that to the up and down the country as previous Following petitions from many my mad-mum, damage-limitation dash around madcap Lazy Town or zany Tweenies. Honestly, try stock runs out, but distribution logis- members of retired staff who still the house. But Postman Pat stopped me in my it. It too will stop you in your tracks. tics mean it is not possible to specify wanted the chance to meet and remi- which retailers have the new stock. nisce we have managed to reinstate tracks. He sounded so old-fashioned. I delayed Chrissy Sturt, sbj, South TV News the event but with guests paying for it themselves. Ask a favour Some cynics thought no one the new VOIP telephones. Nobody’s £834,000, then that is money which view with Zimbabwe’s justice minis- Will you help us test BBC competition would attend as the retired staff going to be sacked or any contract cannot be used elsewhere. ter. But their primary function was to questions? Occasionally we run com- were just after a free meal. However, I reassessed, because senior BBC man- To put this into context, News- broadcast Focus on Africa, Network Africa petitions, consisting of a multiple have had more than 100 replies (with agement don’t care if it goes wrong gathering is planning to close spon- and Africa, Have Your Say. choice question, on various parts of cheques) so far – on a par with previ- from time to time --- as long as it’s sored reporter posts in Brazil, Argen- On this day we relocated Focus on our output. In some cases, we need ous years. cheap. tina and Mexico. A relatively small Africa to Zimbabwe. All three daily full to assess the level of difficulty (of the I think this pays great tribute to the When we in Radio News moved amount of executive belt-tightening editions of the show were produced, question) and so we are putting togeth- camaraderie that exists between the over from BH 11 years ago, a manag- would make those closures unneces- presented and broadcast entirely er a panel formed by volunteers (only staff who retired from BBC Manches- er actually said to me (regarding new sary. Are we really using our resourc- from Harare. So 5’s firstness is false. BBC staff), to whom we will send ques- ter – some more than 20 years ago. recording technologies): ‘We can live es in the most efficient way? And judging by the talk around Bush tions, every now and then, along with Thanks to Balfour Beatty workplace with failure once in while, so long as Theo Leggett House, I’m not the first to say it. a few possible answers and ask them catering for their help in making this it saves us money.’ business reporter, World Service Joseph Warungu editor, Focus on Africa to respond. The topics may vary from event happen and existing staff who He also said (with regard to mate- and Network Africa, World Service sports to television trivia to children’s come along and chat to the retired rial filed and edited without a tech- programmes, etc. folk and make the evening special. nically trained ear across it): ‘We Fall from Gracie We will collate answers anony- Angela Burton asst to head of people can’t afford EQ; it’s good enough as At 2100 on What’s Upsy? mously, deleting your details as soon programme, BBC North Project it is and it saves us money.’ November 23, Last January (2009), BBC Worldwide as we receive your response. You may Sorry, folks, but that’s the way it is. BBC Four broad- in consultation with American man- look up the answer on the internet Nick Hartree cast the follow- ufacturer Hasbro promised to create and we may ask if you did research Accept the blame radio news sound operations ing continuity a closer replica of the popular In the the question and how long it took you There was a time when ‘unaccept- announcement: Night Garden character – Upsy Daisy. to find the answer. able’ meant ‘unable to be accepted’. ‘Jane Horrocks If you remember there was a wave You must agree to keep confiden- So what are we to make of the fact Fair share? stars in a brand of protest from parents after Hasbro tial the questions as well as the an- that chief technology officer John I’d like to apologise to the lovely new drama in had mysteriously lightened the skin swers and, unless expressly stated oth- Linwood says that: ‘We have had young man from Sport who had to our Women of the doll. Both parties denied there erwise, BBC employees and their close issues with the phone system since wait about 15 minutes for me to Who Loved sea- was any racial or commercial intent relatives are not eligible to take part we switched to VOIP and it is unac- finish up at the end of my shift last son, telling the heartbreaking love for this change. in any BBC competition. ceptable.’ night because he’d been assigned a story of an Italian-born Hollywood So where can I get the NEW Doll Finally, do not worry if you cannot Why then has the system been cab-share with me. director and the inimitable Gracie that looks like the tv character? I’d commit to respond always. So if you accepted rather than rejected and Finishing dead on time at the end of Fields.’ like to buy it for my daughter. I’ve are away, or too busy, that is OK. sent back for a refund? a shift is a bit of a holy grail to be hon- This was followed by 80 minutes searched the web but can’t find it. If you are OK with us contacting Paul Lewis est – especially if you’re the only person of Ms Horrocks imitating, beautiful- Surely the BBC hasn’t reneged on you, please email Hannibal Latuff and presenter, Money Box in charge and you want to make sure ly, Our Gracie. its promise on such a sensitive and you will be added to the panel distri- you’ve done your job properly. As the only weapon in continu- widely reported issue? bution list. Thanks. n John Linwood’s got a cheek (Ariel, I can understand the concept of cab- ity’s armoury is language, I would Nick Tulip Shelley Bradley and Hannibal Latuff December 1). He ‘pays tribute’ to share, don’t get me wrong, but I just expect them to strive a little harder News ITACU staff who ‘worked round the prob- don’t think it’s very practical. Anyone than this to get it right. lems’ of the phone meltdown and with a conscience will feel obliged to Andy Walker talks about getting ‘full value’ for get finished quicker rather than keep Today programme, Radio 4 public money. someone else hanging on. And who accomplished player, travelling all How about apologising for the wants to hang around at 0030. OBITUARY over the world to various champi- cock-up created by the disastrous I’ll leave the story for when I had First Harare onships. Such was his nature, that decision to switch every BBC phone to wait half an hour for my cab and We at the African Service were hap- andrew grant when he went to Japan he even to VOIP? And the suggestion that was then made to cab share ‘on the py to see that other domestic BBC Andrew joined the BBC as a trainee learnt to speak Japanese, just to VOIP is necessary because everyone spot’, which meant I went right outlets are still keeping vigil over im- broadcast engineer in 1983. After converse with the locals. Andy had at W1 will be hot desking is another round the houses, for another edition portant African stories such as Zim- qualifying, he worked in TVC studios, a book published on the subject, red herring. We’ve been hot desking of Ariel… babwe. However, I was taken aback BBC monitor and office facilities, net- 400 Years of Go in Japan. In the late in local radio for as long as I can Jo Babbage by one error in Ariel (November 24): work engineering and the MTC, trans- 1990s he was one of the top three remember. business unit ‘Victoria Derbyshire will broadcast ferring to Siemens in 2005. dozen players of GO in this country. The old phones weren’t perfect, live from Harare on December 2 in With over 26 years working for Unhappily Andy developed a lung but we could easily divert extensions the first full BBC programme from the BBC at Television Centre, Andy disease and the last few years have to other desks. I take it his depart- Squeeze on Latin America Zimbabwe since the ban on the cor- honed his engineering skills in elec- been difficult, but throughout it all ment will be picking up the mobile The current debate over the salaries poration was lifted earlier this year.’ tronic engineering maintenance and he tried to remain optimistic that he phone bills of hundreds of staff who of senior managers at the BBC is I hate to nitpick, but on October RF systems. He was a friendly, compe- would receive a lung transplant and don’t have work issue handsets? about much more than just whether 8, a team from the African service tent and reliable engineer who won pick up the threads of his life again. Kevin Stanley or not they actually deserve such did a full day of lives and inserts into the Confederation of Aerial Sadly he lost his battle, but he bj, Radio Nottingham high levels of remuneration. It’s many World Service and domestic pro- Industries prestigious student of the will always remain in the hearts and about allocation of resources. grammes including the World Today, year award. memories of his family, friends and n Your correspondents have got it We have a finite budget, provided Newshour, R4 bulletins and BBC World. Andy’s passion outside work was colleagues and is sadly missed by all. all wrong regarding the failure of by licence fee payers. If the dg earns The team also facilitated a 5 live inter- the board game, GO. He was an Terry Manning

12 Classified 020 7878 2313 a 08.12.09 a 08.12.09 www.bbcarielads.com Classified 13

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To place a classified ad in Ariel please telephone 020 7878 2313 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, you may post your ad to: Ariel Advertising, Ten Alps Media, One New Oxford Street, High Holborn, London WC1A 1NU To place an ad online go to www.bbcarielads.com Ariel Advert 2009-12-07:30th MARCH 2004 Page 12[1].qx 07/12/2009 13:46 Page 1

14 Jobs See Attachment JOBS

————————————— ————————————— PROGRAMME MAKING ————————————— Broadcast Journalist, Finance Specialist Communications Co-ordi- Politics Show/News (Technology) nator Assistant Producer, What’s London Channel Bush House London Growing in the Box? London 7D/Ref: 22662709 White City Glasgow C 13-Dec-09 Under Review/Ref: 22311309 7P/Ref: 21975709 Millbank 7D/Ref: 23054409 ————————————— E C 14-Dec-09 A 06 months C 13-Dec-09 A 06 months C 17-Dec-09 A 3 months Operations Co-ordinator, ————————————— ————————————— Volunteer Committee Chair, ————————————— Secretariat & Governance over lunch Producers, Radio 3 Broadcast Journalist London BBC Children in Need London London 7D/Ref: 22548709 Multi Location - South East Broadcasting House TV Centre E C 07-Jan-10 A 06 months N/A/Ref: 22755209 7D/Ref: 22910209 7D/Ref: 22731109 ————————————— E C 18-Dec-09 Voluntary 3 It needed a break from C A Audience Planner, years 18-Dec-09 Various C 22-Dec-09 Specialist Factual ————————————— ————————————— BBC London to convince Assistant Producer, London NEW MEDIA Video Journalist - BBC Media Centre Radio 1 North West Sharif Sakr he had London 6/7D/Ref: 22986909 Senior Content Producer, Manchester E C 17-Dec-09 Yalding House ————————————— Springwatch & Breathing something to offer them 7D/Ref: 21924609 Places 5/7D/Ref: 22853809 E C 10-Dec-09 A 05 months Awards Manager Bristol C A London 16-Dec-09 Various ————————————— 8D/Ref: 23001209 ————————————— Broadcast Journalist 6D/Ref: 23001809 After three years as a tv producer and C 15-Dec-09 A 03 months C 15-Dec-09 investigative journalist at BBC London, I landed Assistant Producer, 1Xtra (Week-ends) P/T, BBC ————————————— London ————————————— a six-month attachment as Working Lunch’s web Essex Digital Design Manager, Yalding House Press Officer producer. Chelmsford London Content & Channels Team 5/7D/Ref: 22683109 5/7D/Ref: 22819809 TV Centre London It might seem a strange move, going from C 14-Dec-09 E C 08-Jan-10 A 06 months 6D/Ref: 22958909 White City ‘glamorous’ tv to ‘geeky’ online, but if you’re a ————————————— ————————————— C 14-Dec-09 8D/Ref: 21972309 video journalist there’s no distinction...and it’s ————————————— Drivetime Presenter Regional Reporter, South E C 13-Dec-09 one of the best career moves I’ve made. America Assistant Production ————————————— (Broadcast Journalist) Accountant The attachment has forced me to raise my Liverpool Brazil Assistant Content London Producer, BBC Blast Online game. I got the job largely on the strength of 5/7D/Ref: 22618009 N/A/Ref: 22972209 5P/Ref: 22933409 E C and Outreach ideas that I pitched at the interview, so I had to E C 13-Dec-09 A 12 months 15-Dec-09 C A 13-Dec-09 12 months London follow through. I also needed to win the editors ————————————— ————————————— Media Centre over in the hope they would let me do some tv Radio Content Assistant, BUSINESS SUPPORT Event Organiser, Blast on 6D/Ref: 22729909 reporting – something I’d done occasionally at Topical & Events ANDZ MANAGEMENT Tour C 13-Dec-09 A 06 months Glasgow Multi Location ————————————— BBC London and enjoyed. 5D/Ref: 22994609 5D/Ref: 21590009 Researcher, Blast Online Senior Project Manager, London C 20-Dec-09 A 03 months Design Hub E C 14-Dec-09 A 03 months ————————————— Media Centre ————————————— London 5D/Ref: 22730109 Upfront Presenter 11D/Ref: 22994309 Senior Information ‘The only C 13-Dec-09 A 12 months (Broadcast Assistant) Part E C 20-Dec-09 A 2 years Assistant, BBC Children in Need ————————————— Time ————————————— Lawyer, Programme Legal London Web Researcher / SEO way to Liverpool Analyst Advice White City 3/4D/Ref: 22618209 4D/Ref: 22956509 London E C A London lose that 13-Dec-09 12 months E C 13-Dec-09 Media Centre ————————————— White City ————————————— 5D/Ref: 22729809 Horticultural Runners Pool 8D/Ref: 22997109 Scheduler (Part-time), BBC C 14-Dec-09 A 06 months baggage Birmingham E C 08-Jan-10 Various North West ————————————— 2D/Ref: 22471609 Manchester TECHNOLOGY is to leave E C 21-Dec-09 A Various Project Manager, 21CC London 4D/Ref: 22922609 White City C 16-Dec-09 A 10 months DMI Programme Manager JOURNALISM 8D/Ref: 22968709 ————————————— (Finance) that job’ C 22-Dec-09 A 06 months Technical Assistant, London ————————————— DVSolutions White City Editor, WSNCA London 10D/Ref: 22861409 London Project Manager, Annual Report & Accounts White City C 16-Dec-09 A 18 months Bush House London 4D/Ref: 22788509 SM2/Ref: 22918909 E C 21-Dec-09 A 12 months I assumed it would take ages before I’d be White City BBC WORLDWIDE C 14-Dec-09 8D/Ref: 22911709 ————————————— allowed to front a Working Lunch story, but the ————————————— C 14-Dec-09 A 06 months Talent and Operations Co- chance came in my first week. The main report- Presenters, BBC Arabic ————————————— ordinator Deputy Editor, Girl Talk er had been double-booked and there was no London Management Accountant, Glasgow London one to present the weekly gadget strand, called Broadcasting House World Service Media Centre London 4D/Ref: 22617809 The Tech Shed. I overcame my nerves, my piece E C 15-Dec-09 A 09 months 2W/Ref: 22894209 8/9D/Ref: 22796909 Bush House E C 10-Dec-09 A 06 months was well-received and now I’m reporting for The E C 16-Dec-09 ————————————— 8D/Ref: 22793609 ————————————— Tech Shed most weeks. ————————————— Assistant to Chief C 09-Dec-09 A 07 months Sales Administration There’s something about going on an attach- Senior Broadcast Operating Officer, BBC ————————————— Assistant ment which really boosts your confidence. I Journalists, BBC Arabic Brand Executive, BBC HD World Service London London & Vision Multi-Platform London Media Centre think it comes down to this: how you feel about Broadcasting House London Bush House 4W/Ref: 22850909 your day job can be coloured by your early 8/9D/Ref: 22796709 TV Centre 4D/Ref: 22449809 E C 13-Dec-09 A 12 months experiences there. And the only way to lose that E C 16-Dec-09 7D/Ref: 22986809 C 12-Dec-09 baggage is to leave that job – even if only tem- ————————————— C 03-Jan-10 A 12 months ————————————— TRAINEESHIPS porarily. Multimedia Desk Editor ————————————— Team Assistant & PA to In my case, I started at BBC London as a rookie Senior Research Executive, Head of Operations & London journalist surrounded by very talented people. Audio & Music Business Affairs, BBC Trainee Technologist - Bush House Commissioning London Manchester It was daunting and for a long time I lacked the 8D/Ref: 22279409 London Manchester Henry Wood House TV Centre confidence to push for new opportunities such as C 16-Dec-09 4D/Ref: 21990109 5D/Ref: 22735209 reporting. It was only after I got this attachment 7D/Ref: 22702109 E C 18-Jan-10 ————————————— C E C 14-Dec-09 07-Dec-09 and put my skills to use in a different newsroom Music News Journalist, ————————————— ————————————— ————————————— BBC Trainee Technologist - that I realised I had been too harsh on myself. 6Music Team Assistant, Policy Officer London The truth was that I thrived at BBC London and London Performance, BBC Trust London London & Kingswood learned a great deal from those talented people Western House Bush House London Warren, Tadworth, Surrey – not least how to make good films. 7D/Ref: 22954609 7D/Ref: 22697509 4D/Ref: 20365809 5D/Ref: 22569709 C 10-Dec-09 A 06 months C 16-Dec-09 A 18 months E C 14-Dec-09 E C 18-Jan-10 I hope the positivity I feel now will become ————————————— ————————————— ————————————— ————————————— my new ‘baggage’ and that I will be able to carry it back to my old job when the attachment ends. FULL DETAILS AND HOW TO APPLY EXTERNAL APPLICATIONS Full details and how to apply are on Gateway at: Vacancies published on this page are open to BBC Staff. Been anywhere nice? Send your https://jobs.bbc.co.uk/fe/tpl_bbc02.asp Where indicated (E ), external applicants may also be considered. attachment stories to Clare Bolt Please contact (quoting the appropriate ref.no.): Recruitment BBC HR For assistance contact BBC Recruitment’s Response Team Direct, PO Box 1133, Belfast BT1 9GP Tel: 0370 333 1330. Textphone: on: 0800 082 8080 or 0370 333 1330 028 9032 8478

C Date which applications are to be received byE External applicants considered A Attachment/contract

14 OCTOBER 08 ARIEL a 08·12·09 Talitha smith What am I doing here 15 sounded an exciting Why did you opt for production and not the opportunity to get a first journalistic route? production management taste of production and a I like getting my teeth into things. In news, assistant, imagine great way to start so I things happen and they can be huge and applied. then they’re gone and it’s on to the next thing. Because I’m analytical I like to en- CV Would you recommend it joy and explore something in depth. I have to others who’d like to get more of a feature style approach to things. Degree: BA English at Exeter; post grad in broadcast into production? journalism at City University Yes. There are sev- Do you think you’ll want to stay in arts? Family: Only child. Mum and dad both teachers eral ways in but I I really enjoy it although it’s not my only Origin of Talitha: My parents wanted to call me think the Vision In- area of interest. History would also be great. take Pool is brilliant. However, since being on Imagine, arts is Tallulah but my grandmother vetoed it so they plucked even more attractive than it was before. Talitha from a baby name book How does it work? You state a preference for Do any Imagine programmes stand out for you?

photograph: anna gordon anna photograph: working in factual, entertainment, children’s I really enjoyed Save the Last Dance for Me [in or drama although you still get calls from other which Alan Yentob met a group of pension- departments. Talent managers have your cv ers who had taken up contemporary dance]. and pass it on to people in production who’re As a young person, you watch this sort of pro- looking for help in particular areas. For exam- gramme and wonder if you’ll relate to the ple, if someone needs a runner for a month content and I found it genuinely moving. or a production management assistant for a while, and they like my cv, they give me a call. What are your other interests outside work? I found out who my talent managers were Reading, visiting art galleries and watching tv. and kept sending my cv. I eventually got Prior to living away from my parents I was very What does a production management exec about what she wants to submit and be in an email about Imagine, got an interview into travelling and I would love to revisit plac- assistant do? contact with producers. I’ve also written some and have been here for three months. es I’ve been or explore other parts of the world. A lot of the time I coordinate information. I filmographies and background information. am the first port of call for enquiries. If some- When did you join the pool? Where have you travelled? one has a copyright question or wants to use What qualities do you need for your job? I started in May and went to various train- I was born in Saudi Arabia and grew up our material or know who directed this or Resilience, determination, hard work and ing days on health and safety, risk assess- in Norfolk and I used to go travelling that, I’ll try to help and, if I can’t, I’ll pass it attention to detail. You need to be very or- ment productions and a cv workshop. with my Dad. Once a year we’d go some- on. I check supplies, contact producers and ganised and be able to multitask and prior- where like Nepal, Tibet, Thailand, Cam- ask them to write billings and programme itise. It’s important to be friendly and ap- You are only 22 so what was on your cv? bodia, Vietnam, Jordan or the US. information, and chase them up to ensure proachable. I work with a friendly team who Lots of work experience. I’ve worked at Look it’s there on time to pass to the press office. are easy to get on with and who help me. East and a couple of indies to beef up my tv What’s your ambition careerwise? experience. At Talkback Thames I did a bit of I’d like to be a researcher then produc- So you need to be across everything? How did you get the job here? research on Escape to the Country. That was nice er and ultimately producer/director. For Yes. It’s a really integral role to co-ordinate ma- When I was at City University doing my post because prior to that most of my tv experience now my plan is to be an absolutely incred- terial. When arts or tv festivals come up I have grad course, a couple of BBC people came in had been in news with a few weeks with local ible production management assistant. to get submissions in. It’s fun to talk to our and told us about the Vision Intake Pool. It radio stations, BBC Norfolk and a news agency. Interview by Sue Llewellyn

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To find out more, contact Elliott on 020 7 242 2311 or > CONTACT SUE LLEWELLYN toemail suggest [email protected] a colleague for this feature green room ▲ THE ARIELAT0R A weekly take on life at the BBC: getting it on your chest ▲ who’s up, who’s down, who’s off ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ UPSIDE Yes, that’s Led Zeppelin screamer Robert Plant about to feed BBC West Midlands ▲ station sound producer Craig Lewis into some kind of silver sausage machine. And yes, that’s a ▲ pie he’s holding. Craig had been hanging about backstage at Bev’s Big Bash - a charity evening ▲ organised by BBCWM presenter and ex-ELO and Black Sabbath drummer Bev Bevan – waiting for special guest Plant to turn up so he could ▲ snap him with the pie. Why? For the weekly BIG PIE newsletter that the WM sports team puts ▲ together – which has a regular photo feature of someone clasping a pie – of course. ‘It was one thing to ask for a photo with him but quite ▲ another when it’s with a pie, so I was a little nervous about it,’ Craig confided. In the event ▼ the legendary Plant agreed to the photo but re- fused to get his hands dirty, making Craig hold The 6 Music team (above) joined gig- response to all the celebrities who’d taken Room attempted to display a delightful ▼ the savoury snack. Typical rock star behaviour… goers all over the country for the second to wearing AC/DC and Rolling Stones t- Cult of Luna t-shirt but was prevented by annual Wear Your Old Band Shirt To Work shirts, which their stylists had probably icy conditions at White City – evidently not day last Friday. Veteran indie kid Steve bought them,’ says Steve. ‘We thought it a problem suffered at 6 Music, or perhaps ▼ Lamacq (4-7pm weekdays) was our host. would be a good idea to reclaim the band they’re all just well hard. Can we have the ▼ ‘The original T-Shirt Day was launched in t-shirt for us awkward music fans.’ Green next one in August, please? ▼ WE HEAR THAT. . . Win a BBC ▼ Every radio listener has wondered lapse into an embittered murmur as laptop bag what goes on in the studio when the dj soon as the mics are off, a la Krusty the ▼ presses play and cuts to the music. On Klown? It’s part of Radio 1’s AAA week, BBC branded Thursday all will be revealed on Scott which also involves special CCTV cam- laptop bags are DOWNSIDE Mills’s show when, for the first time eras surveying staff for the voyeuristic now available in ▼ A windswept Michael Caine was spot- in the history of Radio 1, listeners will delights of the online audience... cream, bright ted sweeping through Broadcasting House hear what’s said off-air between dj and blue and navy as ▼ reception on Thursday morning, only to be production team while the records are BAsIl BRUsh nearly got busted for bad well as the origi- blocked by security, despite having an atten- spinning. Except they will be ‘on-air’ in a language when someone complained nal black. They ▼ tive BBC minder in tow. The star of Get Carter sense because they’re being listened to to Ofcom about the word ‘pillock’ being can be found in and new gangland movie Harry Brown was online... Still, the experiment promises used on his eponymous show. Thank- all BBC shops at gracious, if a bit puzzled, by the delay. Happily, to be revealing – does the lively Mills fully it wasn’t upheld. £19.99 each, staff ▼ he wasn’t in character at the time… price £15.99. We have four bags to give away. To enter to win one, answer this question: Which country makes 90 percent of the world’s zip- Roll out the barrels pers? Email ariel competitions by December 14. EARWIGGING The stories about David Cameron’s kids’. It wasn’t to be: ‘My name has Win Margot on dvd OVERHEARD AT THE BBC alleged bid to ‘de-toff’ mps with dou- never been a problem,’ said tech cor- ble-barrelled names by making them respondent Rory Cellan-Jones. ‘It was Margot brings the …I’ve just got my shawl switch to a more proletarian single actually an advantage when I got my turbulent life of Britain’s snagged on the Lord surname prompted Tatler features ed break as a reporter on Wales Today – first international ballet Lieutenant’s uniform… Ticky Hedley-Dent to disclose an alarm- although I think the people of Wales superstar, Dame Margot ing revelation in The Times: ‘In these were slightly disappointed when I Fonteyn to the screen. At …‘Did you know Lesley?’ ‘No politically correct times, my name was opened my mouth and my South Lon- age 40 Fonteyn, played a worry when I was applying for jobs,’ don accent came flooding out.’ by Anne Marie Duff, was I didn’t know him very well’ she writes. ‘I applied to the BBC and was Janie Ironside Wood, acting head of already recognised as ‘No, her’ ‘Oh, in that case I turned away countless times. I consid- international comms at global news, a great, but her private ered re-applying as plain Hedley – but was more ambivalent: ‘The name does life was in turmoil. Then didn’t know her well at all’… why should I change my name because baffle some people. I’ve had letters she met Russian sensa- …If they’re bad, you get a bit tingly at the some people would rather I had a dull addressed to Mr Ron Sidewood (who tion Rudolph Nureyev name, such as Jones?’ sounds rather dodgy), and once in a and everything changed. knees… Namism at the BBC? Green Room hotel I was paged twice as Mrs Iron- Originally broadcast on collared a few BBC double-barrels side and Mrs Wood.’ TV sound super- BBC Four, Margot is now …I’d like to be a plaything for a badger… who’ve slipped through the net, de- visor Adrian Harding-Jones admitted available on dvd (rrp £17.99) from December 7, termined to extract tales of inverted his name sounded ‘embarrassing’ on and we have five copies to give away. …So it’s different if it’s a hooter?… snobbery, fake names on CVs, and a tannoy but stayed positive: ‘It does To enter, email ariel competitions by December …As I get older, I’m getting more and more Cameron-esque directives from above look good on film credits – it sticks out 14 and tell us: What was Margot Fonteyn origi- to shorten their monikers ‘for the further than everyone else’s...’ nally known as? intolerant of people who can’t roast potatoes…

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