27 January 2010

Exclusive glimpse
into the future of
BBC NEWS Online
by Sam Burnett

S
tudents were treated to a sneak preview of up-
coming developments at the BBC last Thursday,
from none other than Pete Clifton, the corpora-

Picture source: http://api.ning.com/files/

tion’s Head of Editorial Development Multimedia
Journalism.
His presentation, shown for the first time outside the BBC,
detailed “the most significant relaunch of the BBC News
website ever”. All of the source code has been rewritten to
improve the experience for users, to better promote audio
and video content and to showcase original journalism.
Clifton also promised greater opportunity for personalisa-
tion and closer links with social media websites.
He further explained how the introduction of local com-
munity websites had benefited online Formula 1 coverage
and spoke about the lessons learned for the 2010 General
Election, the World Cup and the 2012 Olympics. According
to Clifton, they show the “shared benefit of mutual work” in
the BBC.
The aim for 2010 at BBC Online is to “make everything
mobile-compatible” and to market ‘Project Canvas’, a joint
programme to create a standardised Freeview box with
built-in iPlayer and internet connectivity.
Regarding 2012, Clifton argued it “is a really big year
for the UK, it will represent a real step-change for digital
life.” He highlighted the last time the Olympics were in the
UK (in 1948) as a seminal moment for live outside broad-
casting: he is hoping that the 2012 event will be equally
momentous. for online content. It will remain free at the point of service.”
Clifton also took the opportunity to wade in on the Asked about his own personal view on paid content, he
debate about “pay walls” (charging for content), which has said: “I wouldn’t pay for news myself, not when I could get it
been playing out through the last Coventry Conversations, free, like on the BBC News website.”
saying: “As far as I am concerned, the BBC will never charge
 Comedy producer comes to COV
by Catherine Cuello

„„ The delightful Jon Plowman, BBC producer since 1980, the man who has produced over 45 shows and was awarded the
title of ‘the most funny and influential person in Britain’ by The Observer, came to talk to Coventry students last week.
Interviewed by John Mair, Plowman appeared to be extremely down to earth and witty despite being such a high profile
in British television. “I learned how to produce comedy by just doing it”, said Plowman, “but it’s impossible to produce
something you do not think is funny. Believe me I’ve tried!”
Plowman argued that “the most important thing about being a producer was probably to get it done on time and within
the budget, and if it could also be topped off with it being funny, then great!”
He also believes it is more important to have a serious idea and a solid base for a story with funny characters, rather than
having the characters read out jokes. “It is all about doing the things that have never been done before, don’t do things like
the others do, so lose the formalities!”
His renowned sitcom ‘Abfab’ (1992) was known to be produced with very few scripts from writer, Jennifer Saunders. “It
was nerve wracking for me as the producer to never have a script”, admits Plowman. “Nevertheless, every time I would
check up on her to see how things were going, she would say it would all be done by the weekend… she knew that was a
lie, I knew that was a lie, but somehow it worked out and we produced nine fabulous seasons!”
Plowman also managed to produce several other sitcoms that were different to the BBC’s general stereotypical shows.
These contained ‘sweary language’ in it, such as the one featured in ‘The Thick Of It’ (2005) and ‘Psychoville’ (2009). “A lot of
paper work had to be filled out in order to be able to use the ‘F’ word”, said Plowman, but “we must remember that in broad-
casting there is no substitute for a producer with a passion”.
Asked if he is worried of running out of hits Plowman simply laughed and replied: “peculiar people with funny stories
never cease to stop coming my way so I believe there is leeway for more sitcoms or comedy/drama shows in the future!”
Picture source: http://hub.tv-ark.org.uk/images/bbcother
Taking over in a perfect storm

Picture source: http://www.journalism.co.uk/staging/assets

by Natasha De Silva

„„ The editor of the Coventry Telegraph, Darren Parkin, spoke at the

Coventry Conversations on 22 January 2010.
Sixteen years ago, he made up his mind to be the editor of the Coven-
try Telegraph, and in November 2009 he got the job and was named the
youngest editor of the Coventry Telegraph, at the age of 37.
Darren Parkin has taken over in a perfect storm. After the big recession
newspaper companies have reported losses of 50% over the last year,
many subscriptions have dropped and advertisers have pulled out.
“One thing’s for certain in newspapers, television, radio the internet:
it’s all changing at an alarming rate and we’ve got to adapt” said Darren.
To keep up with the change the Telegraph has evolved with time and its
online news website now has 1.3 million users.
In 1953, Coventry Telegraph was at the height of its power with a circulation of 100,000. Sadly, the circulation has fallen to
between 37,000 and 41,000. However, Parkin has a plan to make the Telegraph what it was within six years.
The young and dynamic Darren Parkin was UK Press Gazette Young Journalist of the Year three years in a row and he also
became the country’s youngest news editor at the age of 24, for the News of Wolverhampton. He commented about this say-
ing that one advantage of being one of the youngest editors in the country is that you’re in touch with technology more than
some of your peers.
As an editor he is looking for journalists with talent. “I’m not looking for someone who can do a steady job; I’m looking for
someone who can stand out.” The one thing Darren Parkin won’t allow in his newsroom is an ego.
Finally, he argued that to have a successful career as a journalist, you need to keep up with the news and listen as twice as
much as you speak. “Never give up... and prove it to people like me that you’re worth it” he concluded.
To keep up with the Coventry Telegraph online, visit www.coventrytelegraph.net

Media student gets brilliant job

„„ To graduate in the second year after the credit crunch,
when businesses are still recovering, and when jobs are be-
ing lost in every industrial sector, sounds rather daunting.
But at least one former media department student who
graduated in June landed what she calls the “perfect first
job” in July.
Gracey Bennett finished Advertising and Media last sum-
mer and is currently a Student Coordinator at StudyVox
Limited. Her latest project has been launching the Study-
Vox Foundation, under the patronage of pop queen Kylie
Minogue.
Gracey says: “I graduated in June, got the job in July and
then I started helping them with coordinating the Fresher’s
Fair and redesigning the website. I’m the only ex-student
working full time here and I do a little bit of everything.”
Asked about life in a small rather than a large company,
Picture courtesy of Gracey Bennett

she says: “I genuinely believe in what we are doing and this

helps a lot. Working in a small company I get to have more
input, my ideas are more respected and better valued than
if I were to do advertising for a big company.”
A key point to remember from Gracey’s experience is
to make the best of your placement: “I got involved with
studyvox.co.uk in my second year for my professional expe-
rience module and stayed in touch ever since.” Gracey Bennett with Kylie Minogue and the team at Study Vox
 Cov Cons to be here: “for a long
time to come”
by Nadia Baird

„„ Coventry Lord Mayor Jack Harrison joined many distinguished guests at Ellen Terry on Thursday for the fourth birth-
day celebrations of Coventry Conversations.
A cake was cut and speeches made at the evening event which coincided with the 200th conversation held earlier that
day with Pete Clifton, Head of Multiplatform BBC News online.
Prof. Dean Martin Woolley spoke of how these innovative talk shows have helped raise the academic and public
profile of the university: “Over a relatively short period Coventry Conversations has grown rapidly from being a series of
highly successful events to become an institution – albeit one with attitude.”
Behind these conversations is Senior Lecturer John Mair, who after 30 years of experience in broadcast journalism has
an enviable address book of “movers and shakers in the media” industry.
All guests who are invited to speak at the Cov Cons attend free of charge and recordings of the conversations are
available as podcasts on ITunes U, with an impressive half a million downloads to date.
Coinciding with this celebration is a month long exhibition in the Ellen Terry building displaying all past promotional
posters for the various luminaries who have attended.
Pictures courtesy of Sai Kumar

Above: John Mair

Right: Lord Mayor cutting the Cov Cons cake

The student and staff newsletter of the Media and Com-

munications department of Coventry School of Art and
Design
Edited by Teo Beleaga
Submissions invited to teo.beleaga@gmail.com
With many thanks to Sam Burnett, Catherine Cuello, Gracey
Bennett, Natasha De Silva, John Lister and John Mair