Production company Wise Buddah have taken on former All Out Productions director Jo Meek to look after speech documentaries and seek new commissions from a base in Manchester.
The firm says it's part of a wider strategy to build a strong presence in the North ahead of several BBC departments moving to MediaCityUK in Salford.
We're told Jo will work alongside the content team in London but all programmes won by Wise Buddah Manchester will be staffed and produced from the city. Meek will also executive produce existing London based documentary commissions. Wise Buddah’s talent and voice over division has always represented presenters from the North West so this new venture will give them a base there.
Jo is an executive producer with a career spanning 12 years which has seen her produce and exec programmes for all BBC terrestrial UK radio networks, in addition to the BBC World Service, ABC radio national in Sydney and many commercial networks. She was most recently Managing Director at All Out Productions – the northern arm of Somethin' Else – which closed its office in Manchester last year.
Chris North, Joint MD at Wise Buddah said: "We’re very excited to have Jo as part of our team. She’s a very gifted and experienced radio executive and we’re already feeling the benefit of her experience as she builds on our programme making heritage. Having been based in the North West region for many years she also brings a unique insight into the region, an area we are currently looking to expand our presence into in line with developments at Media City. We are looking forward to working with Jo on both London and potential Manchester based output as we develop our profile in the city."
Jo told RadioToday.co.uk: "Wise Buddah is an exceptional company and I’m really excited to work with a team who have such a passionate commitment to speech output and are committed to nurturing production talent and opportunities across the UK."