MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

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Introduction

We the Parties agree to develop a partnership hereby named the Bristol-BBC Anchor Collaboration. This agreement is valid for three years (renewable annually thereafter by agreement between the Parties).

The Parties are all key enablers in Bristol and the South West of England and are committed to closer engagement and co-operation to provide impetus to fresh opportunities within the context of the BBC’s Network Supply Review and the UK government strategies ‘Creative Britain’ and ‘Digital Britain’.

We recognise digital technologies and the convergence of media platforms are revolutionising creative industries, changing audience behaviour and creating challenges which require new thinking, new business models and new alliances. We believe that a more structured collaboration between us will also achieve broader ambitions relating to digital inclusion, media literacy and increased public access.

Bristol already has an undisputed reputation for the creation of world-class content (particularly in factual, natural history and animation) which, when combined with skills and research strengths in innovative digital media and silicon/mobile technologies, will open new channels to national and global markets.

The key aim of this collaboration is to build on this powerful depth of talent on both sides of the content/technology mix, aligning investment and activities to develop a dynamic and resilient digital production hub in the region.

The Parties expect that, by bringing together the expertise and commitment of the Parties, they will direct economic, cultural and environmental benefits to the region, with the attraction of more direct investment and a highly skilled workforce.

It is intended that the outcomes sought by us will bring cultural, economic and environmental benefits, will include additional high paid skilled jobs for the future, and bring investment to the region.

Themes and Activities

The following themes provide the framework for new strands of collaborative activity envisaged by the Parties – each would be managed by a working group and each with differing timescales and resources:

1. TRANSFORM CAPITAL AND TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE

• a) Secure the long term location of the BBC in Bristol, based on the principles of a more open and inclusive presence of the BBC in the city either through improvements to the existing Whiteladies Road site or as an anchor within the ‘creative industries quarter’ whilst ensuring best value-for-money for tax and licence fee payers.
• b) Seek to attract new activities to Bristol (within BBC and from other companies and organisations) to complement the creative industries’ ambitions for the region.
• c) Encourage collaboration via high-speed digital networks in Bristol, and develop connectivity and conduits across the region and to other creative hubs in the UK.

2. CREATE AN INNOVATION TESTBED IN BRISTOL

• a) Build on local specialist factual and animation output and skills with a view to developing innovative content for web, mobile and multi-platform working with local independent producers and the digital sector.
• b) Develop the R&D work of the Pervasive Media Studio on value chains for content delivery to and from multiple devices, working with locally based R&D businesses, the BBC’s Future Media & Technology division and local academic research centres. Seek to secure the participation of key systems integrators and technology platform owners.
• c) In the context of the BBC’s proposed partnership concept for the Digital Media Initiative, aim to pilot the principle with Bristol-based independent producers and facilities houses by making full use of BMEX, the high-speed digital media network for Bristol.
• d) Examine the potential of new business models for Local/Regional News and Media working with the local media industry, freelance TV, radio and print journalists, and community organisations.
• e) Develop new innovative digital formats/technologies for experiencing and appreciating the arts, drama and story-telling, developing audience reach, and working with local organisations.

3. SUPPORT EDUCATION, SKILLS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• a) Work with BBC Learning and Futurelab with the aim of bringing the BBC’s education provision to schools in the region, supporting teachers and students and piloting new educational tools in partnership with local schools.
• b) Work with industry and education and skills providers at all levels with the aim of harnessing talent and provide skills opportunities via apprenticeships, work placements and creative mentoring programmes.
• c) Address the needs of the proportion of the city’s population that is ‘digitally excluded’ using networks and digital projects to involve local communities and improve media literacy, equality and diversity.

4. DEVELOP TV PRODUCTION AND FILM

• a) Work with the independent production sector to build on the current success in production with the aim of ensuring a vibrant sustainable production and post-production base in Bristol for the future.
• b) Seek to secure co-finance for the delivery of the iFeatures digital feature film initiative to provide creative and commercial progressions for regional film-making talent and to enhance the cultural representation of the city and region.
• c) Encourage development of new writers and new voices through the creation and resourcing of a ‘BBC Writers Room South West and Wales pilot project’ in collaboration with theatres, fiction producers and arts organisations.
• d) Help to secure the future of drama production and upcoming talent and sustain capacity by practical initiatives developed in collaboration with local creatives.

5. SUPPORT AND EXPLOIT ARCHIVE RESOURCES (INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL)

• a) Explore opportunities for development of digital archive activities that incorporate the world-class expertise of Bristol and the BBC’s need to develop their own archives – and identify how they will be taken forward.
• b) Work together to explore options to exploit and promote access to locally-relevant archive resources, owned by the BBC, local production companies, the City of Bristol and other organisations in the region.
• c) Utilise local narrative and audio-visual skills to support the development of the green economy and Bristol’s reputation as a leading green, sustainable city.
• d) Utilise the global brands of the BBC Natural History Unit, Wildscreen and Bristol’s specialist factual production companies to attract visitors by seeking to create a permanent iconic exhibition of wildlife film, images and film-making techniques.
• e) Seek to find and secure a source of funding for a long-term, sustainable Bristol site for Wildscreen, the charity working globally to promote the appreciation and understanding of the natural world via ARKive, wildlife events, festivals and educational programmes.