BBC Head of Audio and Music Tim Davie will provide the keynote speech at the next UK Radio Production Conference in March 2011.
The event is held opposite MediaCityUK in Salford Quays, and covers a range of issues for radio producers and independent programme makers.
RTE Radio Commissioning Editor Lorelei Harris will also be speaking at the conference about how UK producers can make programmes for Ireland’s national radio networks.
RPIN Founder Ashley Byrne says: “We are making world class radio here in the UK week in, week out for the BBC and other commercial broadcasters but radio indies and producers, unlike their friends in TV, have not traditionally broken into international markets.
“With MediaCityUK’s arrival, it’s time for some ambition and for us to really shout about what we do to the rest of the world. So whilst we will still have speakers from the BBC and will look at UK programme-making, some of this year’s focus will be about thinking ‘beyond the BBC’ – and helping indies and producers forge links with commissioners and fellow producers in other English-speaking countries around the world.”
Ashley adds: “The Irish state broadcaster RTE has recently decided to open its radio commissioning process to independent producers from the UK and delegates will not only get the chance to meet the commissioning editor Lorelei Harris but there will also be opportunities to network and strike up partnerships with Irish indies too.”
At last year’s conference, 5Live announced details of their kicker fund for northern indies and they’re expected to update on the success of that process which has seen seven new programmes commissioned from independent production companies based across the North of England.
[link=http://www.eventelephant.com/rpin2011]RPIN 2011[/link] will also include presentations from Radio 4, the Director General of the Imperial War Museum Diane Lees as well as sessions on drama, comedy, children’s, multi-platform and online opportunities – and how TV and radio indies can work together.
Host for the day on 22 March 2011 will be the BBC’s former North West political editor Jim Hancock who will quiz Lib Dem MP Don Foster about the Coalition’s real views on independent radio production in the UK.