picture : D : picture 01.06.10 Week 22 explore.gateway.bbc.co.uk/ariel a vi d Murr a a The BBC Newspaper y
As The bbc launches the latest version of its on-demand service, Ariel tries the new features and hears from the man behind the development. Page 6picture : David
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Why Question Time The serious business It’s coming home... stood firm over of making ‘em laugh World Cup office panel decision Page 3 on radio Pages 8-9 sweepstake Page 16
> NEWS 2-4 FEATURES 5-10 WEE K A T WO RK 7 MAIL 11 JOBS 14 < 216 News aa 00·00·08 01·06·10 News bites a One big move as peak BBC Scotland has taken a fly-on- the-wall documentary series off air half-way through its run, after one Room 2316, White City of the participants was arrested. The 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TS shows lead way on HD Scheme followed residents on a hous- 020 8008 4228 ing estate in a deprived area of Kil- marnock, and the first episode had Editor by Candida Watson the highest viewing figures in Scot- Candida Watson 02-84222 land so far this year for a programme Deputy Editor BBC One goes HD this autumn, with the chan- made for BBC Scotland. Cathy Loughran 02-27360 nel’s full schedule being broadcast on a dedi- Chief Writer cated channel, separate from BBC HD. Sean Hancock, producer/director Sally Hillier 02-26877 Announcing the move last Friday, Jana Ben- of BBC One’s Over the Rainbow, be- Planning Manager nett said: ‘These changes are important next comes an executive producer for BBC Clare Bolt 02-24622 steps in improving HD service still further, pro- Three next month. Hancock, who Broadcast Journalists viding an opportunity to showcase the wide va- began his tv career in 2001, has Claire Barrett 02-27368 riety of BBC programmes in the highest possi- worked on All Star Family Fortunes, Ce- ble quality.’ lebrity Big Brother, Strictly Dance Fever Adam Bambury 02-27410 Peaktime, popular programmes such as Eas- and How Do You Solve a Problem Like Lisette Johnston 02-27630 tEnders, Holby City and The One Show will move Maria. Rumeana Jahangir 01 -43756 to HD in time for the launch, while non-HD AV Manager format programmes will be upscaled for the Mark Thompson’s updated website Peter Roach 02-24622 simulcast. It is also planned that a further has gone live on Gateway. Among the Digital Design Executives range of output, from Songs of Praise to Match of Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) in EastEnders new features are a regular message David Murray 02-27380 the Day, will move to HD. from the dg, industry and audience Gary Lonergan 02-84229 Welcoming the development, BBC One con- This autumn is the first phase of moving BBC news, and a digest of what’s happen- Team Assistant troller Jay Hunt said: ‘HD is the gold standard One to HD. Most of the evening programmes in ing in the media environment. The Graeme Allister 02-84228 for broadcasting and it’s right that we bring the network schedule will be in the format by site is also an archive of Thompson’s all the excitement of it to BBC One, the most then, and by 2012 the majority of the channel’s all-staff emails, blogs, interviews and watched channel in the UK.’ titles, across all hours, are expected to be in HD. presentations. Guest contributors this week Trust chairman Michael Lyons noted the im- The showcase BBC HD Channel will extend its portance of HD in serving audiences. He said: ‘As regular broadcast hours from nine a day to 12 A project which saw Radio Kent join james simcock, executive we move towards digital switchover this is a high over the coming months. forces with Margate’s Turner Contem- producer for mobile, explains why profile commitment to the provision of HD servic- BBC One HD will be available to all digital porary gallery has won a prize in the context is everything Page 6 es, which will help fulfil the BBC’s public purpose tv platforms offering HD: Freesat, Freeview, Sky Adult Learning Awards. ‘The Time of of delivering the benefit of new technologies.’ and Virgin Media. our Lives’ asked 17 people between 60 Julian Miglierini, Mexico and 85 what being teenage meant to correspondent, tries to get to grips them. Radio Kent journalist Jo Burn with mad traffic, high pollution and and engineer Rom Cordani helped the drugs war Page 15 Share the moment – on iPlayer record the volunteers’ thoughts.
The latest ‘evolution’ of the ‘It is by no means clear if are creating a better, higher A new iPhone app which gives au- Ariel mail BBC iPlayer has launched with this is a winner or not,’ Antho- quality experience for audi- diences access to BBC radio broad- Candida. [email protected] fanfare, offering a host of new ny Rose, head of technical ar- ences, while creating an en- casts has been launched in the US Ariel online explore.gateway.bbc.uk/ariel features, including the ability chitecture and product plan- vironment where consumers and Canada. More than 20 new doc- BBC Jobs 0370 333 1330 to customise the page, access ning, said of the chat element. can find content they are- in umentary, magazine and discussion Jobs textphone 028 9032 8478 social media and connect to ‘We have tried to sculpt it so it terested in,’ he says. ‘We hope programmes from Radio 4 and the BBC Jobs John Clarke 02-27143 other broadcasters’ sites. doesn’t bug people who don’t most of the time that would be World Service will be made available Room 2120, White City, London W12 7TS Initially available only in like it and those who do can BBC content but there is a lot every week through the BBC Listener beta, the new look enables switch it on and embrace it.’ of choice, so we want to guide app. Users will also have access to ar- Advertise in Ariel users to do things like select Radio and tv now have sep- people even if that means chive footage featuring some of the Ten Alps Media 020 7878 2313 one episode of a favourite pro- arate sections making it easier sending them [elsewhere].’ best audio documentaries from the www.bbcarielads.com gramme and have the iPlayer to channel hop and browse for He says the main aim is last 10 years. Printing automatically download the content and, from the summer, to make the site more user Garnett Dickinson Group next available episode, while the iPlayer will provide links to friendly, connect with audi- The organisation Gay Surrey has Rotherham 01709 768000 links to Facebook and Twit- rival channels such as ITV Play- ences and allow them to con- given BBC Surrey a ‘Heart of Equal- Subscribe to Ariel ter mean you can comment er, 4oD, Clic, Demand Five and nect with each other. ‘Watch- ity’ award, in recognition of its bal- Six months: £26, £36, £40 on what you are watching and Seesaw. So viewers can search ing content has always been a anced coverage of issues affecting the recommend output to your for any programme and iPlayer social experience; with iPlay- gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgen- Twelve months: £50, £60, £68 friends online. will link to it, helping drive up er we made it a more personal der communities in the county. (prices for UK, Europe, rest of world In the coming months the traffic to external sites. experience, but it’s still impor- respectively) BBC will experiment further Erik Huggers, director of tant to connect our audienc- Cheques to: Garnett Dickinson Print, with social media by adding FM&T, stresses the develop- es around our content, allow- June 16 is the closing date for ap- Brookfields Way, Manvers, Windows Live messenger so ment of the ‘pioneering’ site ing them to share the moment plications for Stepping Stones, the Wath Upon Dearne, Rotherham S63 5DL users can log in through iPlay- is not about the BBC having a and share their emotions.’ BBC Academy’s development scheme Tel 01709 768199 er and chat while they watch. monopoly on technology. ‘We Dream behind iPlayer, P6 which offers staff the chance to build INFORMATION IN AN EMERGENCY their own ‘bespoke’ 3-6 month place- ments and gain skills and experience Telephone 0800 0688 159 within another department or from an Ceefax Page 159www.bbc.co.uk/159 Salford to be ‘filter not fortress’ external company. Ariel is produced by Internal To find out more visit: Communications for people at the BBC you may not be moving to Salford, but you they expected a credible picture of the place. http://explore.gateway.bbc.co.uk/ are going to be seeing a lot more of the north A whole episode of the next Tracy Beaker se- steppingstones/stepping_stones/ following a promise from Peter Salmon to ries will be set on an outward bound course in development.aspx boost location filming and programme making Northumbria. The popular CBBC show is filmed across the region. in Newcastle and producers hope to make Tracy the third wave of Hot Shoes North The director of BBC North made the pledge in as synonymous with the Tyneside city as Doctor is launched this week. Staff can apply a speech at Sunderland University, saying the new Who is with Cardiff. The programme will also to do short placements in one of the base at Salford would be ‘a filter, not a fortress’ in be involved in various outreach projects with five London departments moving to PLEASE RECYCLE YOUR COPY OF ARIEL getting more output made in the north. school pupils in the north east. Salford next year or output already ‘Traditional methods of employing ac- Primetime detective series George Gently, based in Manchester. Around 500 tors with all purpose northern accents in pro- which is set in the region, is being filmed in people applied during the previous grammes made and set in the south, or in a tv Durham for the first time, and Hartlepool poet two waves of the scheme which ‘no place’ are just not good enough,’ he said. Michael Smith will make a documentary on the offered placements at Newsround, 6 He pointed out that viewers loved to see Baltic and Viking heritage of the north east for Music and Radio Drama. their home town or region on screen and that BBC Four’s Great Northern season this autumn.
> ARIEL ONLINE: BBC NEWS AS IT HAPPENS – EXPLORE.GATEWAY.BBC.CO.UK/ARIEL< a 01·06·10 News 3 Question Time panel ‘not Best ever subject to government veto’ in-house WOCC total by Lisette Johnston jection that bears scrutiny.’ The row meant there was neither a gov- The executive editor of Question Time has ernment minister or an opposition MP ap- by Cathy Loughran defended the BBC’s decision to go broad- pearing during the week of the Queen’s cast without a cabinet minister on the pan- Speech. Instead the Tories were represent- BBC in-house production has increased its el, after Downing Street tried to have Alastair ed by backbench MP John Redwood who sat share of business won in the WOCC, with Chil- Campbell removed from the show. on the panel alongside former Lib Dem MP dren’s taking half of all competitive commis- Gavin Allen said the government told the Susan Kramer and journalists Piers Morgan sions last year while Drama’s tally dropped by programme they would only put up a minis- and Max Hastings. half, despite home-grown successes like Crimi- ter if the former Labour spin doctor was re- Host David Dimbleby explained the sit- nal Justice and Five Days. placed by a shadow cabinet member. uation at the start of Thursday night’s pro- The in-house total won in the Window of Writing in The Editors blog on the BBC gramme. Creative Competition edged up to 30 percent, website Allen said in three years in the job ‘Downing Street said a cabinet minister from 27 percent in 2008/9 (26 percent in year he’d never had such a request and it was re- was available for tonight and would join us one of the WOCC, 2007/8). fused as a point of ‘fundamental principle’. but only on condition that our Labour pan- While independent companies, with 70 per- ‘It is for Question Time, not for political ellist was not Alastair Campbell, but a La- cent, still dominate the quarter of network tv parties, to make judgments about imparti- David Dimbleby: bour frontbencher.’ he told viewers. hours up for grabs – once the in-house guaran- ality and to determine who is invited to ap- ‘up to us to decide’ ‘Of course, it is for Question Time to de- tee of 50 percent and the indie quota of 25 per- pear in the interests of the audience.’ he cide who should be on our panels not for cent have been filled – there are competitive wrote. Downing Street, so we refused to replace swings within the five genres included. Parties are free, of course, to accept or re- resentative or a front-bencher.’ he went on. Alastair Campbell which means we have no Having won nothing at all in 2007/8, Chil- ject those invitations, but they do not have ‘Labour ministers regularly appeared member of the government here tonight.’ dren’s climbed to 50 percent, up from 30 per- a right of veto over other panellists. Licence when the then opposition was represent- Downing Street had questioned the Camp- cent in 2008/9, thanks to in-house hits like fee payers rightly insist that the BBC must ed either by someone outside of the front bell booking, a spokeswoman confirmed: ‘Be- Deadly 60 and Hai! Karate. Knowledge too saw be free from political interference. bench or by an unelected panellist – some- fore a final decision was made on who might an increase, from 25 percent to 30 percent: ‘No 10’s objection to Alastair Campbell times even a prospective parliamentary appear on behalf of the government, the BBC Comedy stayed stable with 23 percent (24 per- was that he was not an elected Labour rep- candidate. It is not an argument or an ob- directly booked John Redwood to appear,’ cent in 2008/9); and Entertainment saw a five percentage drop to 36 percent. The biggest movement was in Drama – down from 41 to 21 percent. But in a year that saw indie-produced ratings winners like Spooks, Hustle, Occupation and Ashes to Ashes, from Ku- Manford was always a safe bet dos alone, director of Drama Production Ni- cholas Brown remained upbeat. by Rumeana Jahangir porter Matt Allwright, Country- file presenter Matt Baker and co- Jason Manford: Creativity through competition After one of the most talked- median Paul Merton stood in for instantly at home on Criminal Justice, Five Days, Desperate Roman- about tv replacements since Chiles while a more permanent The One Show sofa tics, Larkrise to Candleford, The Last Days of Leh- David Tennant’s departure from replacement was sought. mans and Turn of the Screw had demonstrated Doctor Who, the BBC announced Salford-born Manford said he in-house range and quality, he said: ‘While, that the comedian Jason Man- was thrilled to be selected: ‘My like any other producer we are always pursu- ford will join The One Show after Dad put £10 at 500/1 that I’d get ing every possible commission, winning more former presenter Adrian Chiles the job so it just made sense.’ than 20 percent in competition with some left for ITV. BBC One controller Jay Hunt large and strong indies is a good result.’ Manford will co-host the said: ‘Jason looked instantly at Director of Vision Jana Bennett believed primetime programme with home on The One Show sofa. His that in its third year, the WOCC was achiev- Christine Bleakley on Mondays intelligence and humour strike ing what it was designed to do – ‘stimulate to Thursdays from July 12. Chris just the right tone for the pro- creativity through competition for a £250m Evans will join Bleakley on the gramme and he is an exciting programming budget’, and deliver some of sofa every Friday to present one- addition to the team.’ the BBC’s highest quality ratings. hour editions of the show. The programme, which reg- Pat Younge, Vision Productions’ chief cre- Chiles left in mid-April after ularly attracts more than 5m ative officer said the best ever in-house re- the BBC announced Evans’ new viewers, will also introduce sult was ‘great news, because in house pro- role, saying he was disappoint- some new features and guest duction is a defining characteristic of the ed by the controller’s decision slots after the World Cup, when BBC, part of its core mission’. The Thick of It, to make changes. Watchdog re- it will be off air. Miranda, How the Earth Made Us, Life, Wonders of The Solar System, Strictly Come Dancing, and EastEnders Live were among the successes. Taxi bills on generous side, says review
BBC expenses policy on taxis book minicabs from preferred ‘The nature of these expens- a 24-hour broadcaster, the BBC is ‘particularly generous’, com- suppliers for journeys of up to 40 es could leave the BBC open to has a late night/early morning pared with other organisations, miles. criticism if scrutinised by the transport policy to enable staff a new study has found. KPMG admits that it had ‘man on the Clapham omni- to travel to and from work at But most of the rules around been difficult to get detailed bus’, who might not readily ap- hours when public transport is BBC expenses are in line with comparable information from preciate the operational need not available. The value of this best practice in the private and other companies in order to for such expenses,’ the review was recognised in the report.’ public sector, the benchmark- comment accurately. But they says, recommending an analy- On 12 other areas reviewed, ing review by accountants KPMG judged that the BBC was ‘par- sis of journeys above 25 miles. including business travel, enter- concludes. ticularly generous to employ- The senior executive taxi bill tainment and overseas expens- The BBC-commissioned report ees when compared to other for the last quarter of 2009 was es, the BBC was broadly in line draws special attention to the employers’. Comparator organ- £39,000, according to the last with best practice, and had low- late night/early morning trans- siations included other media BBC expenses disclosure. er limits on overnight accommo- Drama tally fell, despite the success of port policy which allows staff to companies and the Treasury. A BBC spokeswoman said: ‘As dation than some companies. commissions like Desperate Romantics 4 News a 01·06·10 Forum will consider future use of TVC by Sally Hillier of which are listed, would then ‘be- diaCityUK in Salford and Pacific Quay come home to independent produc- in Glasgow, the BBC is keen to work With the future of Television Cen- tion companies, other media or- with local creative organisations to tre again under the spotlight, the ganisations and performing arts create centres of excellence and re- BBC has released details of an event companies’. generate areas,’ it explains. ‘[We are] it will host later this month which In fact, the intention to sell was the catalyst to drive the new creative will explore the potential for a ‘crea- made public some years ago, before quarter in west London, to the bene- tive cluster’ in London. the current economic downturn, and fit of the whole creative industry in The corporation’s plans for W12, if a buyer comes along, the BBC says it the UK.’ where ultimately it wants to vacate will be up to that individual/group to Other speakers at the June 21 con- TVC and develop what has been de- ference include BBC chief operating scribed as a new ‘creative quarter’, ‘We are the catalyst officer Caroline Thomson, who is re- will be on the agenda at the Creative sponsible for all major infrastructure London conference in White City on to drive the new projects; former transport minister June 21. Steve Norris; Transport for London The one-day forum, to be attend- creative quarter in managing director Michele Dix; De- ed by around 150 business and crea- sign Council chief executive David tive industry representatives, will in- west London’ Kester. clude a session entitled Regeneration With the creative sector a key driv- in the West with Chris Kane, head decide how to develop the site within er of the economy, generating, for ex- of BBC Workplace, among the pan- the constraints of listing. ample, £14.5bn in foreign earnings ellists. He will be joined by Stephen Despite its plans to vacate TVC in 2005, speakers and delegates will Greenhalgh of Hammersmith and (a long process that will involve the consider how to fulfil the govern- Fulham Council, Nigel Buck of Impe- phased moves of staff to the north in ment’s ambition of making the UK rial College and Deyan Sudjic of the 2011 and to central London in 2012), ‘the world’s creative hub’. Design Museum. the corporation says it remains com- In trying to understand some of Last week the Guardian reported mitted to west London and that it the key issues, trends and opportuni- that the BBC intended to sell Televi- sees itself having a long term future ties, they will examine likely future sion Centre to developers and that there. changes to transport, commuting Helios, the iconic statue at Television Centre parts of the building, some sections ‘As with other projects such as Me- patterns and the way people work.
Appoint Tucked up waiting for polar bears by Frank Gardner try to scare him off but if that I strapped my rucksack on doesn’t work then the rifle is the the back, swung my legs off my a BBC Our Norwegian guide got last resort.’ wheelchair and settled into the straight to the point. ‘The polar At 78 degrees north, Svalbard saddle. Fortunately those hours bear is a beautiful animal but he is remote, cold and pristine. Far in the gym after emerging from religion can be very dangerous. A few years north of Iceland, this is the last hospital paid off as my core ab- ago one attacked a girl while she piece of dry land before the polar dominal muscles have recovered editor, was camping up on that moun- icecap – the perfect place to train enough for me to keep control of tain just there. He was only a cub for anyone determined enough to this hugely powerful machine. but he still ate her alive.’ try walking to the North Pole on Sleep doesn’t come easily in says The fact that polar bears out- a prosthetic leg. But it threw up Svalbard. By May the sun is into number humans on the Norwe- plenty of challenges for me too. its summer circuit and it doesn’t gian Arctic territory of Svalbard Unable to totter more than a few get dark again until Septem- Bolton made for an interesting addition steps on my own paralysed legs. ber. So there we were, yawning to the BBC risk assessment form. since being shot while on assign- our heads off at 2am in broad Filming the team of British am- ment in 2004, I grabbed at the daylight, burrowing into our putees training for the North Pole chance of using a local snowmo- Survival Store sleeping bags in The BBC needs an editor for religion correspondent, and with producer Mark Georgiou bile. I know this probably looked a tent lined with reindeer skins. religion, in the same way that it topical religious and ethical and shoot/edit Duncan Stone, we like a thinly disguised adventure The last words I heard the guide has specialist editors for subjects affairs stories are featured across had to have an armed guide with holiday to anyone watching our say before drifting off were: ‘If like sport, art and business. So all BBC networks. There is no us at all times. ‘It’s the law here,’ output on Breakfast but it really a polar bear does come into the says veteran broadcaster and downward trend in our religion said Stian who last year won the was the only way the team and I camp then you all run behind presenter of Radio 4’s Sunday and ethics television output with Amundsen race across the Ant- could get around the frozen val- me.’ Luckily, he never showed programme, Roger Bolton, who over 164 hours broadcast last arctic to the South Pole. ‘First we leys and glaciers of Svalbard. up. was handing out prizes at the year.’ Sandford St Martin Trust Awards The SSMT Premier award Guide Stian Aker, producer Mark Georghiou, for religious programmes. for radio was in fact won by a security correspondent Frank Gardner Bolton, who also presents BBC programme; Twin Sisters: and shoot/edit Duncan Stone. Feedback, said the appointment Two Faiths, made by Ladbroke of a religion editor would productions for Radio 4. Chair of improve the understanding of the radio judging panel, Rabbi religious matters across output, Roderick Young described it as particularly in television, which in ‘spiritually uplifting, heartbreaking his view was in the hands of the and heartwarming.’ ‘secular and sceptical’. The first episode of the In response the BBC said: BBC Four series A History of ‘The BBC’s commitment to Christianity, presented by religion and ethics broadcasting Diarmaid McCulloch was runner is unequivocal. BBC news and up in the tv category, and also won current affairs has a dedicated the Radio Times Readers Award. a 01·06·10 Features 5
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Partners in crime: presenters
R Ginny Buckley and K BASS Rav Wilding
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Crimewatch is out to nab the bad guys with a four-week roadshow by Sally Hillier One case that made a particular impact was the theft of equipment ‘We’re doing an armed robbery from a riding school for disabled peo- in Lincoln and a casino raid in Bir- ple. ‘It generated a huge response,’ re- mingham,’ says producer Alan Hol- calls presenter Rav Wilding, joined land brightly. this year by former Sky News anchor Eh? Don’t worry, they’re only re- Ginny Buckley. ‘Some viewers were so constructions – for Crimewatch Road- angry and upset that they donated different aspects of their work,’ says show, a second series of which starts money to buy new kit for the riders.’ assistant producers, rather than pro- Wilding, himself a former detective. on BBC One Daytime on Monday. Ponies, parrots, paintballing with BBC centres around the coun- fessional camera crews, and no actors ‘In this series, for example, we’ve It will be broadcast live every week- parks… not the kind of stories that try; local radio is heavily involved are employed for the reconstructions. got a nice, warm story about the day for four weeks from four areas of would make it onto the flagship and a tv correspondent from each There is good use of imagery in- mounted police.’ the UK: Lancashire, Kent, Humber- monthly Crimewatch whose post-wa- region will join the roadshow for a stead and if, say, a close-up is needed The show’s popularity extends to side and West Midlands. tershed slot enables it to feature mur- week, bringing regional knowledge of somebody’s hands, a volunteer is criminals who, it is said, attach a cer- The Roadshow was a big hit last ders and sexual assaults, but ideal for and insight. Additionally, local news found among the production team. tain kudos to being ‘done’ on Crime- year, its appeals for information re- the lighter-touch roadshows, which teams will provide updates through Similarly, if a shot is required of a po- watch and its spin-offs. Wilding con- sulting in the identification and suc- go on air at 9.15am. the day via their regional bulletins. lice car driving away, a real police of- firms there is some truth in this. cessful prosecution of 17 villains. ‘The focus is on everyday crime ‘It’s a network production but has ficer will get behind the wheel. ‘The programmes are widely Crimes covered included the suspi- that could affect anyone, from van- a strong local feel,’ says Holland. The co-operation of the police is es- watched in prison and lots of informa- cious disappearance of explosives dalism and graffiti to distraction bur- In another notable difference from sential, of course, and the BBC enjoys tion comes from prisoners,’ he says. from a paintballing park, a fatal hit- glary,’ explains Holland. the main Crimewatch programme, and a good relationship with the force. Once the Roadshow starts rolling, it and-run and even – squawk, squawk – With many such crimes rooted in as a consequence of ‘tight budgets’, ‘The programmes fly the flag for might not be long before more peo- parrot rustling. communities, there is a strong tie-in every film is shot by researchers and the police and provide an insight into ple are joining them in the cells.
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I hate football. It’s so boring. edge And the Afghanistan war – why Anthony Rose, the man does every news bulletin insist james on trying to spoil my day with an- behind the evolution, tells us other sad tale of a life cut short. I simcock just want happy news, tech news, how it came about news about stuff I’m interested in. Of course you may love football, can’t get enough of it, really want It’s all about to know the latest war news. Every- one to their own, I guess. So what has this got to do with context the latest iPlayer release, known as iPlayer V3? Well, the nice people at As the BBC’s executive producer for Mo- Ariel asked me to write a personal bile, people ask me all the time what phone piece on iPlayer and its evolution, they should buy next. I don’t think answer- and instead of one of those oh-so- ing this is really part of my job description, predictable ‘in the future every- but being the kind of person who does his one will be wearing 3D glasses and best to make others happy, I’ll generally try Tweeting while they watch on their to respond in a helpful way. The problem is iPad’ articles, I thought I’d take the that there is no simple answer to that ques- opportunity for a from-the-heart tion. It all depends on your personal mobile article on what got me to join the Getting personal: Anthony Rose has reinvented the iPlayer to respond to individual tastes ‘context’ – i.e. are you a Mac user? Are you a BBC and how I used that privileged Google webtools convert? Are your needs opportunity to help shape the way rather simple, and battery life more impor- that we’ll get our news and enter- in iPlayer V3 were a pipe dream, country – the ability to select your
ites wants global audiences to help build the Photogra world’s biggest virtual football collection. Housed in the cyber-stadium of BBC World’s SHAMELESS PLUG p
online site will be an archive of football memo- I Lorenza h: rabilia, and an album of listeners’ favourite snap- Angus Macfadyen – Lighting Cameraman perate for a simple commodity that we here shots of themselves with soccer legends. Fans take for granted – water.
are asked to go to the site and upload an image u I am going to swim the English Channel to These people are my inspiration for this pp o
of their favourite item or player, along with a raise money to bring fresh water to communi- swim. I hope to raise both funds and the profile li to paragraph explaining the story behind the im- ties in South Africa. of the charity Lawrence’s Roundabout Well Ap- age and why it matters to them. Fans can email I have practically abandoned my career peal (LRWA). It buys Playpumps, which combine pictures to [email protected] and the online in order to finish a challenge that began a children’s roundabout with a water pump. As album of football fans with famous players will three years ago, when an accident left me on the children play they can raise up to 1400 litres also be available on bbc.com/worldcup crutches for three months. During the fight to of fresh water from the well into a holding tank, get fit that followed, I found this challenge. providing around 2000 people with a clean sup- Every week I swim 26 miles, run, and work- ply. LRWA gives children the chance to play and AI Index out in the gym, which adds up to more than the community the priceless gift of water. 17 hours of training. Lawrence Prifti died from a rare degenera- u Plenty of viewers were happy to stay in on I could hardly swim before and I’ve tive condition when he was eight; with your a Friday night to learn the truth about non-pc learnt front crawl from scratch over the help his life will be remembered by changing eighties northern copper Gene Hunt in the past two and a half years. I am now in the lives of other children for the better. final episode of Ashes to Ashes. A total of 5.83 the middle of five months of prepara- With three months to go I have got just million tuned in to BBC One at 9pm on May 21, tion. Winter training included swim- £1500 in the charity bank. I hope to raise be- giving the police drama a 27.3 percent share ming in virtually freezing sea tempera- tween £7000 and £14,000 – which is a long of the audience and an AI score of 89. tures in Brighton and a big increase in way to go. With three years of my life dedi- an already very tough training regime. cated to this project, I hope that people will be For my solo swim I will leave Dover generous and write a cheque, go online or do for Calais at the end of August. whatever they have to do to pledge their sup- Learning Curve My work with the BBC has taken port and help change others lives forever. me to many parts of the world; I’ve My website is http://www.channelangus. u Want to know how to get your play com- looked into the eyes of those des- co.uk missioned as a radio drama? Or how to begin to write one? Kate Rowland, creative director, New Writing, will host a masterclass and Q&A session with writers Rebecca Lenkiewicz and Sebastian Baczkiewicz to talk about writing for radio drama. There will also be the chance to ask questions of Kate, who commissions The Wire on Radio 3. The event is free and runs from 6 to 7:30pm on June 10 at The Drill Hall, 16 Chenies Street, London. To reserve your places, please email [email protected] with the subject ‘Radio Drama Masterclass’. 8 9
stand-up to series: M photographS: From AR written for Newsjack in the past, from er the tape – literally just to put in K B one line to a whole sketch. There’s and press play. He’d done all the A SSe now an outlet for people to hear their mixing and the recording himself.
TT stuff on the radio, and I think it’s all There will be others who won’t send the better for it.’ you a script, who won’t let you know ‘We get about a thousand sketch- what’s happening, are vague about es a week, which we have to read in a who they want to cast – at that point making radio day. It’s quite a task, but you get used you need to sit down and say ‘okay to it,’ he continues. ‘There’s obvious- we really need to crack through this’. ly a lot of madness out there but you Some people are incredibly propri- can quite quickly work through the etorial, others say they don’t really bad stuff. Then again, you also don’t care. It just depends.’ want to miss a gem – that one perfect ‘You just have to get the best out of comedy happen one. So we read every single sketch, that writer, help them fulfil that po- but some we tend to linger over more tential to say what they want to say,’ than others.’ reckons McKenzie. ‘It takes quite a bit Radio comedy is a serious business. Long seen as of maturity from a writer to accept Keep it firm but friendly that feedback.’ the link between the club circuit and mainstream tv Working with a writer is a difficult ‘You learn together – all that hard business – you’ve got to balance the work you put in during the early days superstardom, writers and comedians vie for space needs of the network with their artis- when a writer might never have done tic instincts, as well as making sure a narrative before. It’s really lovely af- in what is both an intensely competitive market and a they’ll come back for more if the se- ter you’ve done a first series and they ries is a success. turn round and say how much they’ve very British institution… ‘Sometimes they’ll want to learnt. If you get a chance to have a lot of input, sometimes do a second series you can they won’t,’ says Michell. automatically reap the But how do you sort the wheat from ‘The fact you can stand up in front Think formats and know ‘There was one show in benefits of that. It’s the chaff, and how do you then turn of God knows how many hundred your networks the past where the guy a really rewarding that wheat into a tasty comedy loaf people and make them laugh at one Does your comic have the kind of just sent the produc- part of it.’ loved by millions? Adam Bambury joke after another is brilliant, but it all-purpose wit and strength of per- asked three radio producers from the won’t necessarily turn into a Radio sonality to appear on a panel show? BBC’s in-house Radio Comedy unit, 4 show,’ says Caroline Raphael, com- Or perhaps their performing tal- plus Radio 4’s commissioning editor missioning editor for comedy and ents are a little lacklustre, and it’s for comedy, for their top tips on entertainment at Radio 4. She is the in the delicate crafting of a sitcom finding, keeping and getting the best gatekeeper with the comedy keys to script that they can really flex their out of top new comedy talent. the station, and both indies and the comedic muscle. Choosing the right BBC’s in-house Radio Comedy unit format and station for their talents is Cast the net wide (and go must win her approval if a series, key, or you may find yourself swiftly to Edinburgh festival) one-off or pilot is going to be aired being shown the door. First of all, you need to find some- on Radio 4. ‘I think you’ve got to watch a tal- one to be funny on the radio in the ‘There are new comedians coming ent for some time to really find their first place. It seems the Edinburgh onto the scene all the time,’ explains voice, find what is holding it all to- BBC Radio Comedy fringe festival, with its month’s producer Sam Michell, ‘but it takes gether,’ says Raphael. ‘Because this is producers: worth of non-stop comedic talent vy- them about three years to get estab- Radio 4 I’m asking – do people have Sam Michell, Julia ing with each other for outside atten- lished. The one exception I can think an attitude about the world that McKenzie and Tilusha tion, is the place to quickly sum up of is Laura Solon, who came on to the they’re growing up in and are citi- Ghelani who’s hot and who’s not. scene, won the Perrier and then went zens of that they can then express re- ‘Lots of us go to Edinburgh, look- straight into the mainstream, but ally lucidly?’ ing for either writing or performing that happens very rarely.’ ‘Last summer I saw Tom talent,’ confirms Julia McKenzie. She Wrigglesworth in An Open produced recent Radio 4 sitcom Party, Letter to Richard Branson, written by Tom Basden and based on about him taking on Rich- his production of the same name that ard Branson and his pol- enough, but it doesn’t mean hard graft ahead to make it work broader about the themes he was dis- McKenzie first saw at the Fringe. icy that if you’re on the they want another one. when coming out of a box in some- cussing,’ she explains. ‘So in the se- But don’t stop there – comedy wrong train you’re penal- ‘Ideas are often quite em- one’s kitchen rather than the dedi- ries we do a decade-by-decade look comes in many forms. ‘There’s also ised by being charged the most bryonic when they come in cated – and rather more visual – en- at his life and decided that when he try out nights, full-length shows, extortionate fair,’ she continues. ‘The and that’s fine,’ says -Rap virons of a club or theatre. talked about a place, he’d actually go stuff on the internet, scripts from good thing is that Tom has a feeling hael. ‘There is nothing worse Tilusha Ghelani is the producer of there, speak to people, and really re- agents, even a book that you read,’ for rights and wrongs and morality than discovering at the pre-of- Micky Flanagan – What Chance Change? live some of his experiences. It gave a she says. ‘Also it doesn’t always have with a small m. There’s a show be- fer that there’s already a pilot, currently airing on Radio 4. She came little bit of an insight into where his to be new people – it could be a more ing worked on that we may com- a script, masses of work and mon- across Flanagan at the Edinburgh stand-up act comes from.’ established performer who hasn’t mission this round that builds ey, and I could have told you within Festival, and decided that his mate- done radio before or wants the on that, which feels like an half a nanosecond that it wasn’t go- rial had enough depth to survive the Don’t be afraid to opportunity to flex a differ- organic progression.’ ing to get bought. People will always translation to radio – with a little ask for help ent muscle.’ argue that it’s somehow different, expansion. If inspiration is falling flat, then Don’t make but my standard response is that, for ‘Some people may have dis- why not open up the field to uncom- Laura Solon Play it cool ‘that show’ the listener, it’s still ‘that show’. They missed it as just club comic materi- missioned writers? Sam Michell pro- So you’ve found your com- Tom Wrigglesworth If you don’t want Micky Flanagan won’t even remember the title most al, but I saw him and it was really duces Newsjack, a topical sketch show ic. They’re engaging, erudite, your idea to fall at of the time – ‘it’s that show about a well thought out,’ says Ghelani. ‘It on Radio 7 presented by Miles Jupp and their fractured take on the first hurdle in the grumpy old writer’ – we already have was quite biographical – he was talk- which is coming back in June for a modern life had you snorting commissioning proc- one Ed Reardon, why would we need ing in very funny terms about class, second series. Acting as a showcase your drink out of your nose ess, make sure your another?’ about how he went from being a Bill- for new comedy writing, anyone can onto the person in the next idea isn’t just a ingsgate fish porter to getting an ed- send in sketches or lines to the show, row, who was enjoying them- pale imitation of Convert ucation later on in life. He became and if their idea gets recorded, they selves too much to care. But something that or die a teacher and eventually turned to even get paid. hold on – have they got what already exists Perhaps the act, or the play, that stand-up, which has led to some bril- ‘We try to nurture writers – we ask it takes to sustain a second in the sched- you saw was so good you feel it would liant observations.’ people to come into the department act, let alone a radio series, or ule. People stand on its own two feet in the sched- ‘From the beginning I wanted to write,’ says Michell. ‘We’ve got have they just got lucky? may like it well ules. There’s still going to be a lot of to say something a bit bigger and around a hundred writers who have
10 SHOWCASE a 01·06·10
n Radio 4 Introducing Ariel’s Reith Lectures pocket guide to the Hear Lord Rees, president of the Royal BBC week ahead. From Society, deliver this year’s Reith Lec- tures. Taking ‘Scientific Horizons’ as his Red Button to radio theme, he’ll address the role of scientists, politicians, civil servants, journalists drama, we’re shining a and the wider public in creating a more sophisticated debate about science and spotlight on the pro- technology. For exclusive audio and video clips, visit the Showcase homepage on grammes and services Gateway.. that you’re working Tuesday June 1, 9am, Radio 4 on – email Clare Bolt if you’ve got something to shout about
n online n World Service Food at your World Book fingertips Club With a spread of 12,000 recipes and an n BBC Two, HD & Red Button World Service invites the globe’s great improved recipe search function which authors to discuss their best known novel lets you navigate between chef, ingre- in World Book Club, a monthly programme dient and programme, BBC Food has Springwatch Wild Day Out presented by Harriett Gilbert which also unveiled its all-singing, includes questions from World Service all-dancing new web- Watch the daily dramas of the animal look out for ‘Springwatch Wild Days listeners. This site. For the trickier world unfold live - and for the first time Out’ which are taking place around the week, listen to recipes, you can click in HD - as Springwatch starts its three country. It’s a day out aimed at families author David to watch profes- week run on Monday, May 31. The team and anyone who wants to find out how Mitchell talking sional demos by has rigged more than 50 mini cam- to build a bat box, charm a worm or cook about his novel the likes of the eras and miles of fibre optic cables to up a feast for local birds. Find your near- Cloud Atlas which Hairy Bikers, via bring viewers intimate animal tales, all est wild day out at bbc.co.uk/breathing- was shortlisted iPlayer. of which will be streamed live at bbc. places. for the 2004 bbc.co.uk/ co.uk/nature/uk – without disturbing the Booker Prize. food animals. Springwatch starts May 31 at 8pm on Saturday June 5, On the weekends of the three weeks BBC Two and BBC HD daily, as well as 8.05pm, World of Springwatch (particularly June 5-6) coverage on Red Button Service n bbc three & online n bbc two n radio 2 & iplayer n red button Platform Three When Romeo Feelin’ CBeebies Red Supernatural drama Pulse, Bristol-based Met Juliet Groovy Button comedy drama Dappers and ensemble drama Stanley Park are three new drama What happens when you bring two very Radio 2 celebrates CBeebies have relaunched their interac- pilots vying to be the next Being Human. different groups of school children the Swinging Six- tive Red Button service which is now Commissioned by Danny Cohen, the trio together to perform Shakespeare? Paul ties, marking the available on the CBeebies channel and via kicks off with Pulse on June 3 – but you Roseby, artistic director of the National 50th anniversary page 5900 on other channels. Children’s can watch them now on the bbc.co.uk/ Youth Theatre, finds out in When Romeo of the decade favourite characters are at the heart of bbcthree, and leave feedback on the met Juliet. Casting the Capulets from that changed the the experience and a new carousel now channel’s blog. Coventry’s leafy suburbs and the Mon- world forever with greets visitors providing easy access to Thursday June 3, tagues from the inner city, Paul has eight a series of special games, other children’s interactive ser- 9pm, BBC weeks to get them to love the bard and documentaries. vices such Three or learn to act. For an exclusive look at the Mick Jagger tells us as karaoke online now series trailer and links to the BBC Bitesize about his influences or quizzes, GCSE revision pages, visit the Showcase in Jagger’s Juke- birthdays homepage on Gateway. box (now available and star of Friday June 4, 9pm, BBC Two on iPlayer) and Brian the week Matthew profiles The messages. Hollies. Tuesday June 1, 10pm, Radio 2 or on BBC iPlayer a 01.06.10 11
This is the page that everybody reads. Please email [email protected] You can also contribute to the mail page directly from the Ariel Online home page mail
Catch that pigeon made of archive content, in such a In response to recent letters, pest wide range of production genres. control measures are in place in ar- I was wrong to lay blame on Today team Submissions for the 2011 awards eas of Television Centre in line with As a woman who deals women in key broadcasting positions and as role will be invited from this October current legislation, using profession- primarily in words for a models in public life generally. with a closing date of December 1. ally recognised suppliers. As is the See www.focalint. org/focalawards.htm case with buildings across the world, living, my choice of one Ceri Thomas and his team are obviously not the Sue Malden we have an ongoing challenge to in particular was careless demons in this debate and I regret making them chair, Focal International control birds and a duty to keep the when last week, in an seem so. I love the Today programme, wake up to building safe and pest-free. interview, I described the it every morning and think the presenters all do We chose to contact Ariel letter producers of the Today an excellent job, male and female. Social security... writer David Larner directly to Last week I saw a soft top car with its offer a walk about of TVC and to dis- programme as ‘misogy- I won’t stop saying that the BBC needs to enhance top wide open in TVC’s Horseshoe cuss the alleged issues, which were nists’. It was an inflam- its representation of women on screen and on air, car park. On the back seat, on clear not raised through 047 or the local matory choice, based on but I will certainly refrain from pointing my display, were a staff ID card and a facilities management team. no factual evidence and it did nothing to further finger at innocent parties in future. rucksack. I thought I’d report it to se- Regular proactive checks at TVC curity to prevent a theft. are carried out, but we encourage necessary discussion about the absence of mature Mariella Frostrup, presenter I located the security office on the staff to help by reporting issues to the TVC Star Terrace and went in. I saw FM team. We are happy to speak with a major part of our transmission network programmes, and additional five security people lounging, and a colleagues with concerns and to show area. Now we have had our account costs like these can make a difference Old gold woman – not in uniform – jumped them the steps we are taking. facility with the local ferry compa- between doing a programme and not. Our awards are relatively young up shouting that I should not have Kate Smith nies withdrawn, an online booking Neil Sackley (launched in 2004) when compared to come in and that I should leave. She customer service director, BBC Workplace facility would be most useful from leisure producer, Radio Solent Prix Italia, RTS etc, so we were pleased hounded me from their comfy room. a time consideration (I have experi- to see the letter from Michael Lyons in It’s no wonder that theft takes enced up to a 20 minutes wait for Jilly Glenny, senior category man- Ariel (May 11) – we felt our awards had place at TVC when the security staff Cross-purposes the telephone to be answered) and ager, Procurement, replies: Currently truly arrived on the big scene. seem more interested in looking af- There doesn’t appear to be an option from a cost perspective. American Express does not provide Archives are often the hidden, un- ter their own welfare and comfort to book ferries online, yet booking by I have today withdrawn a booking an online booking service to the BBC dervalued elements of a media organi- than anything else. telephone incurs an admin charge with Amex in favour of buying direct for ferry travel and we are consider- sation. The Focal International Awards Bob Prabhu which adds around 59 percent to the from the supplier, simply because I ing if this is something that could be are designed to promote the use of TVC cost of a journey. can’t justify a £10 admin charge on introduced. The transaction fee for archive images in the creative media, We make numerous crossings to a £17 crossing. Local Radio does not telephone bookings reflects the time and it is encouraging to see such pro- Ariel asked BBC Workplace for a the Isle of Wight as the island forms have anywhere near the budgets of taken. fessional and imaginative use being response and is awaiting a reply
14 Jobs See Attachment
Big step across Radio Devon’s Emma switched Thomasson sides of the newsroom for a spell in tv ‘Did I see you on the telly last night?’ shrieked one of the parents at the top of her voice as I dropped my daughters off at school one morning. When I started a six month attachment at BBC Spotlight, I had no idea what a difference mov- ing five feet across to the other side of the news- room in Plymouth would make. My previous job had been as a producer at Radio Devon. No co-ordi- nated outfits, perfect makeup or brushed hair re- quired. In the playground, I was a mum from the village with the usual traumas associated with get- ting two small children into school before work at 9am. Suddenly I was having conversations with burly cameramen about my lipstick, hair and out- ‘I knew I was going to love it. I’ll never forget it’ fits. What happened to the journalism? I could do that! I soon realised that step across the newsroom was huge. Re-training the brain to think in pic- tures, cutting them together and telling the story in just a minute and 30 seconds was a challenge, but the moment I saw my first piece lead the bulle- tin, I knew I was going to love it. I’ll never forget it either. The entire newsroom cheered as I ended my report on breast cancer services at a local hospital. It was the same colleagues who helped me progress throughout my attachment. Their pa- tience and grace were invaluable, particularly when it came to the technical side of television. I am now back producing Good Morning Devon, turning up to work with that ‘just got out of the shower look’ at 5am each day. I also have three hours of airtime to fill with a lot fewer resourc- es than tv, but my time at Spotlight means I have a better understanding of how we can make sto- ries work for us all. Every day we lead Good Morning Devon with a strong local story. This often means it runs on Spotlight breakfast bulletins and can be cross-promoted. And my secret is out in the playground now. They all know I work for the BBC and often com- ment on what they’ve heard on the show, partic- ularly if I’ve been outspoken about issues which matter to people here in Devon. I also have to contend with regular cries of ‘Mum, you’re soooo embarrassing!’ Nothing like an eight year-old to put things into perspective. Been anywhere nice? Send your attachment stories to Clare Bolt
14 OCTOBER 08 ARIEL a 01·06·10 What am I doing here? 15 Xenia Borrisova-Demidova foreign BUSINESS MANAGER, OVERSEAS NEWS BUREAUX bureau
Give me a flavour of what you do es in Ramallah and Gaza. my mother and his mother, settlement. What a heroine! I’m part of Newsgathering Ope- Understanding cultural dif- is an artist. My own child- On the more sombre side, rations, where I concentrate ferences is essential. hood was nomadic. I moved one great grandfather was on negotiating the commerci- Coming from Russian cultu- around places like Dagestan, sent to labour camps twice al and legal interests of more re, where sitting on the fence Chechnya and Kabardino-Bal- as a political prisoner and than 30 bureaux overseas. is not acceptable, I find it fas- karia – changing schools con- the other one was assassi- Julian The job can cover anything cinating and familiar wor- stantly or disappearing from nated during the ‘Doctors Miglierini from co-managing a con- king in the Middle and Near school for months on end. plot’ fabricated by Stalin. struction project in Kabul to East. Doing business is about Correspondent, Mexico procuring armoured vehi- long term relationships and Just how prominent are the What brought you to the UK? cles in the US, to looking for not everything’s on paper. Demidovs? I came here permanently aged Even if Mexico City is almost as far from new premises in Cairo, where From Amman, I negotiated In 1720, they were presented 17 and studied law at the Uni- my native Argentina as London, coming back we currently have three of- the future lease of our bu- with titles and estates by Peter versity of London. I wanted to Latin America after nearly five years in fices but would prefer one. reau in Baghdad. Next stop the Great and given responsibi- to specialise in alternative the UK felt a bit like coming home. Although We’re a foreign organisa- is Paris, where we’re selling lity for running ironworks and dispute resolution techniqu- Mexico City, with its population of almost tion and we’re perceived as our existing bureau and are gunmakers at a time when Rus- es, so went on to study in- 20 million people, mad traffic, high pollu- having lots of money, so I preparing for the new offi- sia was at war with Sweden. ternational arbitration and tion and some rough edges is an odd place have to tread carefully – fin- ce to be opened by the Pre- My ancestors commissio- mediation at Queen Mary. to call ‘home’. ding out about local process, sident Nicolas Sarkosi. ned art and built houses for But after about three months here, I am nurturing professional con- the poor. In Florence there’s How many languages do you glad to say, it is – sort of. The overwhelm- tacts, liaising with London. But then, your background even the church of the De- speak? ing bureaucracy makes settling in a little bit is pretty international midovs. Best of all, one of my I speak French, Polish, some more complicated. The process of renting a So plenty of globe-trotting? You could say that. I was great, great uncles married German and Serbo-Croat, and flat included a two-hour meeting of six peo- At least one trip a month. born in St Petersburg into a Napoleon’s niece Matilda and specialised in contempora- ple at a lawyers’ office (the game changer I’m just back from the Midd- well-established family. My when they divorced, she be- ry Semitic languages at SOAS was the fact that the landlord was a fan of le East, finalising arran- father is from a line of Po- came one of the first ex-wives (London’s School of Orien- Planet Earth – thanks, Sir David); to get a local gements for new faciliti- lish landowners. He, like in history to win a divorce tal and African Studies). I can phone, I had to put my signature to a con-
ph read and write Arabic and have tract 18 times. o t
og some knowledge of Hebrew. But in its chaotic way, the city can be CV raph charming. And it’s not only the amazing
Education: LLB Hons Law from BASSETT : MARK Where did you first take your food, the warm welcome and the more than negotiating skills? decent weather. I grew up believing it to be the University of London; I didn’t fancy a straightfor- the mecca of Latin PGDIP Intl ADR SOAS ward legal career, and as l had There are American litera- Career landmark: the last two done a diploma in fine art ture, and I haven’t years in Newsgathering have while at school in Russia, I ap- thousands of been disappoint- proached Christies, the auction ed. Reading The been completely fascinating house. They gave me a work stories – from Savage Detec- First job: aged 15, multi-lingual placement which led to a pro- tives (by Roberto interpreter for Navy officials at per job, which, still new to the the quirky Bolaño, an ‘adopt- the Cutty Sark country, was a small miracle. ed’ Mexican) while I worked in art object valua- to the tragic in Mexico City is regatta in St Petersburg. tions and then in business like reading Nick development for Christies in Hornby while living in Islington (only better). Russia at a time when Rus- And, more crucially to a BBC correspond- sian art was really booming. ent expected to file in English and Spanish, for video, radio and online as part of a pilot How did you get from there to project of World Service language staff con- the BBC? tributing to Newsgathering, Mexico is the Via a spell at financial news source of thousands of stories. From the and data company Bloom- quirky – like the Mexico City assembly mem- berg, looking after Russian ber who, with the aim of fighting child obes- and CIS clients. Bloomberg ity, suggested banning school homework so sells sensitive products so the kids can do sport – to the tragic: the more job was about due diligence than 22,000 people killed since the govern- and negotiation of contracts. ment launched a military offensive against It didn’t suit me for long but drug cartels in late 2006. I was exposed to state of the This ‘drugs war’, which dominates news art technology and the way coverage and small talk here, is almost im- Americans do business. perceptible in the streets of the capital. As I’d always been interested in our brilliant local producer Alberto ex- the media and then, four ye- plained once over a 50p foam rubber map ars ago, I spotted an adver- of Mexico, each cartel has its clearly defined tisement for a commercial area of influence and the violence increases manager in BBC Workplace. every time one of them steps into another’s The two years I spent in that territory: when the fighting flares up, he job was a great way to le- said, it’s because they’re fighting over a key arn how the BBC works, but drugs route into the US. my current role could have The anxiety about this violence adds to been tailor-made for me. some intense soul-searching among Mexi- cans. This year marks 200 years since its What do you do to relax? independence from Spanish rule and 100 Away from work, I see fri- years since the start of the Mexican Revolu- ends, read, relax, swim, stu- tion. Beyond the large-scale celebrations dy for my MBA, do the occa- already under way to mark those dates, Mex- sional run and I also act as ico is a country deciding what it is and, more agent for my artist parents. importantly, what it wants to be. Interview by Cathy Loughran
> CONTACT CLARE BOLT to suggest a colleague for this feature 16 a 01·06·10
greenworld cup room office sweepstake
Here’s your chance to be a World INStructions Cup winner with the Ariel 1 Decide on an entry fee, if any, and how 3 Enter the name of the players in sweepstake chart where you can you will divide the prize money. the space alongside the teams they draw. 2 Cut up the 32 names and organise a draw 4 Keep the chart up to date as the tournament follow the progress of your in your office. We recommend using an progresses by writing the winning player in colleagues and the teams. unsoiled mug as the receptacle. the relevant space.
GROUP A GROUP B GROUP C GROUP D
SOUTH AFRICA ARGENTINA ENGLAND GERMANY
MEXICO NIGERIA USA AUSTRALIA
URUGUAY KOREA REPUBLIC ALGERIA SERBIA
FRANCE GREECE SLOVENIA GHANA GROUP E GROUP F GROUP G GROUP H
NETHERLANDS ITALY BRAZIL SPAIN
DENMARK PARAGUAY KOREA DPR SWITZERLAND
JAPAN NEW ZEALAND CÔTE D’IVOIRE HONDURAS
CAMEROON SLOVAKIA PORTUGAL CHILE
KNOCKOUT 1 KNOCKOUT 3 WINNER GROUP A WINNER GROUP B
v 2ND PLACE B QUARTER QUARTER v 2ND PLACE A FINAL A FINAL C WINNER KNOCKOUT 1 WINNER KNOCKOUT 3
KNOCKOUT 2 v WINNER KNOCKOUT 2 v WINNER KNOCKOUT 4 KNOCKOUT 4 WINNER GROUP C WINNER GROUP D
v 2ND PLACE D v 2ND PLACE C SEMI- THE SEMI- FINAL 1 FINAL FINAL 2 WINNER OF A WINNER OF 1 WINNER OF C
v WINNER OF B v WINNER OF 2 v WINNER OF D KNOCKOUT 5 KNOCKOUT 7 WINNER GROUP E WINNER GROUP E
v 2ND PLACE F QUARTER QUARTER v 2ND PLACE F FINAL B FINAL D WINNER KNOCKOUT 5 WINNER KNOCKOUT 7 THIRD KNOCKOUT 6 v WINNER KNOCKOUT 6 PLACE v WINNER KNOCKOUT 8 KNOCKOUT 8 WINNER GROUP G RUNNER UP 1 WINNER GROUP H
v 2ND PLACE H v RUNNER UP 2 v 2ND PLACE G
Australia Cameroon Honduras Chile England Netherlands Spain Japan Côte d’Ivoire Mexico Paraguay France Portugal Switzerland Korea DPR Ghana United States Uruguay Germany Serbia Korea Republic Nigeria Argentina New Zealand Greece Slovakia Algeria South Africa Brazil Denmark Italy Slovenia