On the subject of Television Industry PR

Lord Sugar seeks junior tycoons

On February 25th, 2011 admin wrote on the subject of Television Industry PR,Television PR,The Apprentice.

LONDON, Friday 25th February 2011: The opportunity of a lifetime for teenage tycoons returns as multi-millionaire and self made businessman, Lord Sugar invites the UK’s most ambitious and driven teenagers to apply for series 2 of the Junior Apprentice.

Lord Sugar will be looking for candidates with real potential and the belief that they have the capability, determination and raw business talent to take on the challenge and be the one to win access to a fund worth £25,000.

The fund will go towards kick-starting his or her business career, and will be tailored to their individual career prospects and development.

Lord Sugar said: “Following the success of the first series we knew Junior Apprentice had to return.  It is an unparalleled opportunity for young people to learn lessons that aren’t necessarily taught in classrooms.  I look forward to finding the tycoons of tomorrow as they often put the adults to shame!”

To be eligible to apply you must be aged at least sixteen years of age on or before 30th June 2011 and be no older than seventeen years of age by 31st October 2011.

Applications should go to: https://apprentice.fremantlemedia.com/juniorapprentice/

Over 28,000 applied for the first series of Junior Apprentice with Arjun Rajyagor crowned winner.

Junior Apprentice is a talkbackTHAMES production for BBC ONE.

Press Contact: Taylor Herring PR

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Taylor Herring to promote Fern’s new Channel 4 show

On February 16th, 2011 admin wrote on the subject of Celebrity PR,Television Industry PR,Television PR.

Taylor Herring have been hired by Channel 4 and Cactus TV to promote Fern Britton’s brand new teatime show, which launches next month.

Produced by Cactus TV, ‘Fern’, will be an hour-long, daily programme with a mix of real people’s true stories, celebrity and entertainment.

Not only is Fern one of the country’s most successful presenters who will bring real versatility, intelligence and warmth to the channel – she has also gone head-to-head with the likes of Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Alastair Campbell.

The live studio audience will share their amazing experiences, while Fern is on hand to offer anything from expert advice, a shoulder to cry on, a treat, a revelation or some tough love.

The series will also feature a range of celebrity guests who will be encouraged to interact with the audience and take part in the show as much as possible – and Fern will apply her unique and insightful interview style to get the very best out of them for a show packed with laughter and surprises.

Head of Channel 4 Daytime, Helen Warner, said: “I have long been a fan of Fern and am thrilled that she is joining us at Channel 4. Whether she’s interviewing ordinary people, Hollywood stars or Prime Ministers, there is no-one better than Fern.  For me, she is the British answer to Oprah.”

Fern said: “I am thrilled to be working with Channel 4 and Cactus TV and I am very excited about being in on the start of a brand new show. I’m working with a great team and together we shall rise to the challenge.”

Cactus TV Managing Director, Amanda Ross, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Fern on Channel 4. She’s a perfect mix of sassy, savvy and sexy that makes her entertaining to watch and great fun to work with, and being on Channel 4 will give her more freedom to show her true broadcasting talents.”

Taylor Herring’s TV credentials include The Inbetweeners, The Apprentice and Doctor Who.

Press contact: For interviews and further info please contact Katie Wildsmith at Taylor Herring PR: 0208 206 5151

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BAMMA teams up with Syfy

On February 2nd, 2011 admin wrote on the subject of Sport PR,Television Industry PR,Television PR.

Entertainment Channel Syfy have announced a new broadcast partnership with BAMMA (British Association of Mixed Martial Arts).

The partnership with Universal Networks channel Syfy will provide the UK’s first ever full, live, non-subscription Mixed Martial Arts coverage for all five BAMMA fight’s this year, each to be held in different cities across the UK.

The new deal will lead the way in making the world’s fastest growing sport more accessible to UK audiences with plans to screen five fights over the course of the year.  Alongside the live event coverage, Syfy will broadcast highlights, fighter profiles and other BAMMA-themed programmes.

The first fight to be screened live on Syfy will be BAMMA 5 which will take place on Saturday 26th February at Manchester’s MEN Arena. The February event promises to host the organisation’s most exciting fight card to date as the Brit Paul Daley takes on Japanese contender Yuya Shirai for the welterweight title in the main event.

For more information please contact ashley.charles@taylorherring.com or tony.harding@taylorherring.com

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Cinemoi announces creative partnership with Jonathan Ross

On December 14th, 2010 James wrote on the subject of Film PR,Television Industry PR.

LONDON, Tuesday 14th December 2010: French film channel Cinémoi has joined forces with TV presenter and film buff Jonathan Ross in a deal which will give Ross a multi-faceted role as presenter, producer, creative director and shareholder in the company.

Cinémoi is the UK’s first and only independent French film channel, and has shown over 260 films since its launch in 2009. The deal with Ross will see him become fully involved in programming ideas and execution for the channel, as well as helping expand its repertoire of original formats in 2011.  A series of interviews with top actors and directors and a daily highlights show from the Cannes Film Festival in May 2011 are amongst the planned shows. Jonathan began work for the channel immediately last week, filming some exclusive introductions of the highlights coming up on Cinémoi, such as Belleville Rendez-Vous shown as part of a Christmas Special on December 25th.

In the twelve months since its launch, Cinémoi has built up a loyal base of subscribers.  The partnership aims to build on this, using Jonathan’s unique blend of film knowledge and his popularity with TV audiences, aiming to double subscription numbers next year. It is hoped that Ross will help the channel develop a wider audience appeal and encourage ‘first-timers’ to French Film.

Jonathan Ross said, “French cinema isn’t just for intellectuals and film buffs – it really can be enjoyed by everyone. As well as the timeless classics, there are some amazing films coming out of France at the moment, some real blockbusters that give Hollywood a run for its money. If you crave something a bit different from your Saturday night movie, then Cinémoi is a really good alternative.”

The deal is a massive coup for the channel, which was launched by entertainment entrepreneur Olly Bengough on a modest budget, but quickly gained critical and industry acclaim and is now shown on Sky and Virgin Media. It is hoped that the deal will be mutually beneficial; as Cinémoi is both production house and broadcaster, Ross will enjoy complete creative freedom without the red tape associated with traditional broadcasters, whilst the channel will benefit from his encyclopaedic knowledge of world film and his expertise in television production.

Cinémoi founder and CEO Olly Bengough said, “We are thrilled to have Jonathan on board and are excited to be working with someone who shares our passion for film and great quality programming, and who believes in our independent ethos. We really want Cinémoi to be known as one of the most credible and important film channels here in the UK and we know that Jonathan shares our commitment to making this happen.”

The subscription only channel is currently free to air on Virgin Media channel 445 until 31st January 2011. All films are shown in French with English subtitles and original programming will be shown in English. Jonathan Ross is one of a growing number of celebrity supporters of the channel, which includes Martin Scorsese, Michael Caine, Kristin Scott Thomas and John Hurt.

www.cinemoi.tv

Notes to Editors

Cinémoi was launched in early 2009 by entrepreneur Oliver Bengough and is part of Mint Group, which owns the legendary KOKO, the UK’s premier live music and entertainment venue in Camden.

Cinémoi is the UK’s only channel dedicated to French film and lifestyle and delivers a wide range of French classics, dramas, comedies and thrillers alongside exclusive interviews with the world’s top film talent, including Michael Caine, Isabelle Huppert, Laetitia Casta, Francis Ford Coppola, Jacques Audiard, Kristin Scott Thomas and Charlotte Gainsbourg.

More than a movie channel, Cinémoi diversifies its programming to broadcast important general interest formats in areas such as music, culture and lifestyle.

Creator Olly Bengough has dedicated the last ten years to developing and specialising in media and entertainment brands that have caught the imagination of leading stars in the world of music and film.  Musicians such as Coldplay, Prince and Madonna have all endorsed and launched their global albums on the KOKO stage.   Julien Planté, Cinémoi’s Artistic Director, is one of the world’s leading curators of French cinema.  Former programmer at the Ciné Lumière at London’s French Institute, Julien has programmed over a thousand films at festivals, institutes and independent cinemas.

Cinémoi has made its mark at the Cannes Film Festival by treating its viewers to in depth interviews with stars and news about the Festival’s events. Cinémoi also launched the first ever Cannes Film Festival iPhone App, “Cinémoi Cannes”. In 2011, Cinémoi will diversify its content to include lifestyle programmes (Fashion, Wine and Lifestyle).

It currently broadcasts from 3pm until 3am on Sky Channel 343, and from the 1st of December 2010 available is on Virgin Media channel 445. As an independent channel, Cinémoi is dedicated to bringing glamour, style and quality programming to the UK audience.  It is fast becoming the channel of choice for actors and directors including Charlotte Rampling, Michael Caine, Martin Scorsese, Vincent Cassel, Monica Bellucci, Jane Birkin and Terry Gillam to name but a few.

Press contact: Taylor Herring PR

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Louise Benson appointed MGEITF director

On December 13th, 2010 James wrote on the subject of Edinburgh International Television Festival,Event PR,Television Industry PR.

Media Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival has appointed Louise Benson as its new Director, Elaine Bedell, the TV Festival’s Executive Chair has announced today.

Louise joins the Festival from Emap Networks where she was Media Events Director, with responsibility for all of Emap’s media conferences. She was also Event Director of the World Architecture Festival.

Louise has been at Emap for over seven years and launched a number of new events there, including genre specific TV conferences (for example TV Comedy Forum) and the Digital Channels Conference.

In 2008 she launched The Media Festival in Manchester, with Peter Bazalgette as founding Chair and in September of this year, The Media Festival Arts, for arts and film organisations looking for opportunities in the digital space.

Director of Entertainment and Comedy at ITV, and MGEITF Executive Chair Elaine Bedell commented: “I’m delighted that Louise is joining the Edinburgh Television Festival.  She’s well-known already to many in the media industry and understands the key issues facing the TV sector.  She’s absolutely the right person to help us take the festival forward over the next few years, and is full of enthusiasm and energy to make it more international, more relevant and inspiring.”

Louise Benson added: “I’m looking forward to working with George Entwistle, the 2011 Advisory Chair and his Advisory Committee to deliver a must-attend event. The TV Festival is a very special event, and one that I’ve always wanted to be involved in.”

Louise will take up the post of Festival Director on 31 January 2011.

Notes to Editors:

•         Now in its 36th year, the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival is the essential annual event for anyone involved in the media industry

•         A diverse programme of over 50 sessions including debates about important industry issues, future trends, glossy entertainment sessions and some of the most innovative leaders in the media delivering keynote speeches

•         The Festival is attended by over 1,500 delegates, representing the full spectrum of the industry – from chief executives, controllers and commissioners to producers, directors, marketers, writers, new media companies, distributors and press

•         A key part of the Festival’s charitable remit is encouraging and developing new talent from a diverse range of backgrounds, and it delivers on this aim through two talent schemes, The Network and Fast Track.  These schemes help over 100 young people each year to get in and get on in the media industry.

•         MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival 2011 takes place 26-28  August.  George Entwistle, Controller of BBC Knowledge Commissioning is the Advisory Chair.

•          For further details log on to www.mgeitf.co.uk

For press information, please contact Taylor Herring on 0208 206 5151

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Channel 4 increases Film4 budget by 50% to £15 million

On October 13th, 2010 James wrote on the subject of Film PR,Television Industry PR.

LONDON, Wednesday 13th October 2010: Channel 4 has today announced that it is increasing the budget of its film financing division, Film4, to £15 million per annum for the next 5 years.

The new budget, effective from 2011 onwards, represents a 50% increase on Film4’s current spend on film development and financing. This injection of fresh investment into the UK film industry reflects a deepening commitment towards film and drama as being central to the creative renewal process launched by Channel 4 earlier this year.

Channel 4 Chief Executive, David Abraham, said, “From the opening night film on Channel 4 in 1982, Walter, to tonight’s opening night movie at the London Film Festival, Never Let Me Go, Film4 has played a central role in supporting the British film industry and the current team, led by Tessa Ross, has an unrivalled track record of success in developing and supporting British film making. Film has a special and unique role in UK culture, promoting a wealth of extraordinary British talent from storytellers and producers to directors and actors. I have been determined during the current process of creative renewal to ensure that it plays a commensurate part in Channel 4’s public service delivery.”

Tessa Ross, Controller of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama, added: “It’s wonderful to be able to deliver some good news to our industry, most importantly because we believe that there is a wealth of great talent here in the UK that this extra money will allow us to support. At a time when funding is increasingly difficult to access it will allow us to extend our reach further towards new voices and new audiences.”

On the opening day of the London Film Festival, Film4 is celebrating the presentation of five new features; beginning with the prestigious opening night gala screening of Mark Romanek’s Never Let Me Go, a haunting, poignant love story following the lives of three children who spend their childhood at a seemingly idyllic English boarding school starring Keira Knightly and Andrew Garfield; and culminating with Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours, which tells the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston’s remarkable adventure to save himself after a falling boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolated canyon in Utah, the festival’s closing night film.

Other Film4 gala screening at this year’s festival include: NEDS (non educated delinquents), the story of a young man’s journey from prize-winning schoolboy to knife-carrying teenager, directed by Peter Mullan; Submarine, a coming of age comedy directed by Richard Ayoade about a 15 year old dealing with the impending break-up of his parents’ marriage and his first relationship; and Mike Leigh’s Another Year which follows a happily-married middle-aged couple over four seasons of their lives, starring Jim Broadbent and Lesley Manville.

Film4 is backing a diverse slate of feature films in 2010 and 2011 from both established and new directors. Making their extraordinary directing debuts are British comedians Richard Ayoade (Submarine) and Joe Cornish (Attack The Block), and actor Paddy Considine (Tyrannosaur).

Film4 is also delighted to be working once again with Kevin Macdonald on the adaptation of the classic story, The Eagle, and Miranda July on her visionary new film, The Future. Pawel Pawlikowski’s The Woman In the Fifth and Lone Sherfig’s One Day are in post, while Andrea Arnold’s much anticipated Wuthering Heights is currently shooting in Yorkshire.

–ENDS–

About Film4

Film4, headed by Tessa Ross, is Channel 4′s feature film division. The company develops and co-finances film productions and is known for working with the most innovative talent in the UK, whether new or established. Earlier this year the Digital Economy Act enshrined a commitment to film production into Channel 4’s public service remit for the first time. In May 2010 David Abraham announced a 20% increase to the Film4 budget taking it to £10m, the level it enjoyed prior to the economic downturn.

For more information visit: www.film4.com/productions

Posted in Film PR, Television Industry PR | No Comments »

London’s African Summer

On October 11th, 2010 James wrote on the subject of Television Industry PR,Television PR.

LONDON: Monday 11th October 2010: Londoners enjoyed an African Summer yesterday, as a giant version of the Sahara Desert was created on the South Bank, allowing passers by to experience one of the world’s most hostile and inaccessible environments.

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The installation was commissioned to mark the launch of Eden HD, a high-definition version of UKTV’s natural history channel Eden. The set build was specially designed to highlight the channel’s commitment to take viewers on a journey to some of the world’s most exotic and less travelled destinations, in order to get closer to nature.

A production team of eight craftsmen spent four weeks creating the 10 metres x 10 metres x 3.5 metres three-dimensional model featuring drifting dunes, palm trees, 4 tonnes of sand, a Bedouin tent and a real camel. Click here to view.

Eden HD Channel Head, Adrian Wills says: “Eden HD is committed to bringing the viewer closer to nature, and bringing the Sahara Desert to the city allows people to get up close and personal with one of the least visited and inaccessible environments in the world today”.

Pictures and a viral of the set build and design can be seen on exploreeden.co.uk and are available for publication.

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Taylor Herring’s Inbetweeners campaign pulls record audience for E4

On September 14th, 2010 James wrote on the subject of Television Industry PR,Television PR.

The first episode of the new series of The Inbetweeners drew a record average audience of 2.6m/12.5% share last night, making it the highest rating programme ever broadcast on the E4.  

The audience peaked at 3m/14.8% during the last 5 minutes, and the show garnered an impressive 33.9% share of 16-34s, with 64% of the total audience coming from this demographic.

During the slot, The Inbetweeners was the second most watched programme across all channels behind the Ten O’clock News on BBC One, beating ITV News at Ten (2.1m) and Grandma’s House on BBC Two (777k).

E4’s previous highest overnight rating was an episode of Friends, which drew 2.4m in January 2003. Coming a close second was smash hit acquisition Glee, which scored an audience peak of 2m on March 29th this year.

The previous highest rating E4 original commission was Hollyoaks, which drew an overnight audience of 2m/11% on 10th August 2008.

The Inbetweeners series 3 launch rating of 2.6m makes it the highest rating digital comedy of the year, ahead of BBC 3’s Gavin and Stacey: The Out takes 1.262m/5% on January 1st 2010.

Nerys Evans, Commissioning Editor Comedy said, “We’re so delighted that Series 3 has kicked off with such a fantastic episode and in record breaking style too. It’s also great to know that the rest of the series is absolutely jam packed with comedy treats for The Inbetweeners fans to look forward to.”

Paul Mortimer, Channel Manager E4 and More4, said: “Monday’s launch of The Inbetweeners delivered phenomenal ratings and was the best start to what is the biggest ever season on E4. With the return of Misfits, Hollyoaks Later and a dozen other new and returning premieres between now and Christmas, we aim to ensure that our audience of twenty-somethings is spoiled rotten with quality entertainment as the nights begin to draw in.”

The second series of The Inbetweeners aired in April 2009, and launched with an average audience of 1.3m. The series went to average 1.2m/7% share.

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Seven Days…in Notting Hill

On September 7th, 2010 James wrote on the subject of Television Industry PR,Television PR.

TV NEWS: Coming to Channel Four this autumn….Seven Days is a new kind of documentary series in which viewers can follow the lives of a variety of compelling characters as they actually happen.

This is a docu-soap where what you see has only just taken place. Through the accompanying website, viewers will be able to provide advice to the characters and may even influence some of their choices.

portobello_road_sign
Between 20 and 30 members of the public, living or working in Notting Hill, have agreed to be filmed as the narratives of their lives unfold. The weekly one-hour episodes will feature a selection of the full cast. Each episode will be broadcast in the same week that it is filmed.

The fast-turnaround nature means that the characters will be living through and talking about the same things as the viewers at home. By combining the best of documentary film-making with the speed of reality television editing, Seven Days will capture the ways people discuss the events and issues of the week, whether they are about politics, celebrity, news or sport.

A Studio Lambert production for Channel 4.

Press Contact: Taylor Herring PR 0208 206 5151

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Elaine Bedell appointed as MGEITF Executive Chair

On August 25th, 2010 James wrote on the subject of Edinburgh International Television Festival,Television Industry PR,Television PR.

The MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival today announced that ITV’s Director of Entertainment and Comedy, Elaine Bedell, is to replace Tim Hincks, CEO of Endemol, as the Executive Chair of the festival.

Bedell, who worked as the Advisory Chair of the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival last year, will succeed Hincks when his four year stint ends after the 35th annual festival this year.

elaine bedell

Bedell is now in charge of some of the highest-rating entertainment shows in the UK after moving from her role as the BBC’s Controller of Entertainment Commissioning in March 2009.  She oversees a range of hit shows from the X Factor, Dancing on Ice, Britain’s Got Talent and I’m A Celebrity, to Benidorm, Piers Morgan’s Life Stories and The Brits.

Hincks, who took over the role in 2006 from Dawn Airey, said: “Running the TV Festival for four years had been a privilege and a pleasure. The team around me have been fantastic and Elaine will be a superb executive chair. The festival is in the safest of hands, allowing me to gracefully retire and spend more time with my shareholders.”

Bedell said: “Tim has consistently succeeded in making this the media event of the year and I will endeavour to ensure that it remains this way.  I want to make sure the Television Festival provides an irresistible invitation for all the key figures in our industry.  And that Edinburgh at the end of the summer is the place and the time for all the crucial debates and conversations about the future of television and new media. As well, of course, as offering the opportunity for some fun…”

Hincks will hand over at the end of the 2010 festival.

MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival 2010 will take place 27-29 August 2010. For further details visit http://www.mgeitf.co.uk/home/mgeitf.aspx

 Note to Editors:

A unique opportunity for individuals from across the media to share ideas, make new contacts and reconnect with friends and colleagues, the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival offers delegates a varied programme of topical debates, one to one networking opportunities, master classes and keynote lectures from leading UK and international media figures. The Festival programme is developed by an Advisory Committee made up of individuals from across the industry.

The MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival is a delegate entry event which annually attracts over 2000 delegates from all sectors and levels of the industry.  To find out more, and to register, please visit www.mgeitf.co.uk

MGEITF is a charitable organisation which supports and develops new talent from all backgrounds through its two talent schemes, The Network and Fast Track.  Approximately one third of the delegate fees go towards supporting these initiatives.

MGEITF Press Information:

Taylor Herring PR Tel: 0208 206 5151

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