BBC Scotland has announced the appointment of a new head of news and current affairs.
Gary Smith – who succeeds John Boothman – is described by the BBC as “one of broadcasting’s most experienced news journalists”.
Continues the BBC announcement: “A graduate in English from Glasgow University who then studied journalism at Cardiff University, Gary has an extensive background of senior leadership experience throughout the broadcasting sector, including the BBC.
“In his current job as UK news editor for BBC News, Gary runs the home newsgathering team across the UK. His previous roles in the BBC include editor (political news) and assistant editor on the then Nine O’Clock News.
“He also worked as a programme editor and senior political producer at Channel Four News.”
Read more, here.
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WRITES Aidan Smith, in a column in today’s Scotsman: “Regarding the kind of TV we want, Scotland faces such a dilemma right now: does it seek the safety of the bus or risk getting burned?
“Does it carry on making just a few programmes, some of them not very good, and continue complaining when the rest of TV’s output is deemed unrepresentative?
“Or does it unplug itself from the BBC and establish the Scottish Broadcasting Service with many more locally-produced shows better reflecting national mood and aspiration (while asking if it can please continue taking Strictly Come Dancing because everyone loves that)?”
Read more, here.
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AN editor is being sought by The Oban Times & West Highland Times – as advertised, here, on the allmediascotland.com media jobs board.
Please do mention the site when replying to any vacancies showcased on it.
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BEGINS STV, in an announcement yesterday: “IPCN, the leading TV producer and rights content distributor focusing on the Chinese market, and STV Productions, one of the UK’s leading content businesses, today announce a co-production deal to create a new factual entertainment format for the Chinese market.
“Inspired by STV Production’s Celebrity Antiques Road Trip format which is broadcast on the BBC in the UK, Journey to the Precious features the Chinese art of haggling; the common practice of bartering to arrive at a mutually acceptable price of goods. In this series, to be shot in London for a Chinese audience, celebrities will travel the UK to compete in their antique appraisal and haggling skills.”
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GUIDANCE – on the the difference between product placement and prop placement on TV and film – has been published by the ISBA, the Voice of British Advertisers.
And David Ellison, marketing services manager at ISBA, has written an article about it, for The Drum media and marketing magazine, here.
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