Homepage
E-mail this article
Print11:49 am, December 15, 2008
Salford appoints ex-BBC man to run Media City initiative
John Holland, a former head of interactive tv and digital text services at the BBC, has been appointed by the University of Salford to run its planned initiatives at Media City UK.
Holland, currently a London-based consultant, will join in the New Year.
The university has signed a partnership agreement with the BBC, which is moving five departments out of London to MediaCityUK – BBC Sport, Children’s, Future Media and Technology, Radio 5 Live and Learning – starting in 2011.
The initiative will include new joint courses, enterprise training for undergraduate Salford students, and student placements with the BBC.
In a university news release, Holland said: “MediaCityUK represents a unique opportunity for the University of Salford, the north west and the wider UK. Digital-based businesses in the north will receive a tremendous boost from the arrival of the BBC and other media organisations at Salford Quays, and the University stands to benefit across all departments, including additional research openings, training and jobs for graduates.”
Salford University said while at the BBC, Holland played “a prominent role in the strategic development and integration of online and interactive TV into the corporation’s offering”.
Professor Michael Harloe, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, said: “John’s appointment marks a key development in the University’s vision for MediaCityUK.
“As an internationally recognised media expert, he will ensure that this enormous opportunity is fully exploited for the University. I’m confident that he will make a major contribution to the success of this exciting and globally important development.” Salford’s plans have sparked controversy at the university, with unions claiming that the university's investment in Media City has forced the institution to announce job losses.
Comments?manchesternews@crain.com
Other News
This Week's Issue
