| The new role will champion the cause of
external suppliers to the BBC's New Media division. As part of his
role, Kingsbury will encourage the BBC's commissioning teams to use
external as well as internal producers; ensure independent companies
are properly represented within the BBC and that commissioners are
aware of new suppliers; and also collate feedback on the process from
the BBC and the industry.
His role will involve overseeing the Approved Suppliers List (ASL),
which is to be the prime resource for new media commissioning in
future. BBC New media and technology's business and finance director
Sharmila Nebhrajani said, "I am delighted Jonathan is taking
this key role, which helps us continue to build on the relationship
we have with the external market and to enrich the content and services
on bbc.co.uk."
Kingsbury says, "I am delighted to be taking on the role of
championing external suppliers and, importantly, making it easier
for them to work with the BBC. The BBC's objective is to achieve
a significant diversity of supply, based on commissioning principles
of openness and meritocracy. This will help the BBC in its mission
to deliver high-quality and ever more innovative services to our
audiences, while at the same time benefiting the new media industry."
The appointment is one of the steps the BBC is taking in order
to create a better relationship with independent companies, as part
of its plan to meet its self-imposed target of 25 per cent of online
applications being supplied by external suppliers.
The BBC has been working towards improving its relationship with
new media companies. It has increased the amount it spends on external
new media commissions by 30 per cent, to £8 million, it has
also created a £750,000 innovation fund for independents.
In addition to that, the BBC organised four supplier events in
London, Manchester and Edinburgh. The events, which have been well-received
by the independent community, were designed to communicate the BBC's
new media strategies to the industry.
|