Newsletter

 

Current Newsletter - March 2009

 

Welcome to the our spring newsletter -- looking forward to some big changes and major campaigns

and don't forget ...

RIG Legal Services Scheme: remember Hill Dickinson LLP, our media law specialists, who have produced superb 'boiler-plate' contracts tailor-made for RIG and readily adaptable to individual productions. Cost £295 joining fee for free access to the templates and discounted legal services, renewal fee in later years currently £86 p.a. Contact RIG Secretary for details.

RIG Recommended Insurance Provider: Allen Chapman James will provide tailored and discounted media insurance packages to any of our members. Contact Simon Miller on 01206-500 000

 

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Political Lobbying
The BBC "quota" issue seemed settled for a decade with the 2006 Charter Renewal, but the Govt has indicated the License Fee might not last beyond 2016, the debate will likely start in 2012 or earlier, there's a General Election before mid-2010, there are current major reviews like 'Digital Britain' and so on. So we need to start lobbying now and consequently we've engaged Tim Wilson Associates to advise us on our message and the best people to target, to facilitate those contacts and brief us beforehand and so on. It's a short-term contract initially but we'll be looking for a long-term arrangement, so that we build up and maintain a stronger public profile and make the wider case for the indie production sector, not just the 'quota' issue. Tim was Policy Director at PACT and a key part of their campaign that led to TV indies winning back their intellectual property rights, which led in turn to the establishment of RIG. So he knows the territory and he's 'got form'.

 

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Radio 4 'batch commissioning' plan
We've continued detailed discussions with Radio 4 to try and get the best possible deal for our members, whether they think it's a great idea, a disaster or somewhere in between. We've particularly raised the position of smaller indies who may struggle to show sufficient 'track record' to have any real chance of winning a batch. We've won an undertaking to be involved in the evaluation of this year's 'Pilot Scheme' (for the Afternoon Play and Arts Features) which will determine whether it continues in future years and whether it's extended to other slots -- but it is now clear it will NOT be rolled out across the whole of the 'ad hoc' slots or even across all of one genre such as drama. More details very soon in a separate email.

 

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Latest 'compliance' panic
By now you've probably seen the BBC email with the latest tightening of the compliance screw, namely that 'on-air talent must not be the executive producer of the programme in which they appear' . We were given a sight of this last week but in confidence so couldn't consult with you, but we told the BBC that it would catch many of our member companies for no good reason -- after all it's aimed at the Brand/Ross debacle not you -- and we suggested an amendment. That was rejected yesterday and the new guidance went out the same day. It applies to all programmes contracted from today onwards , but not those where contracts have already been signed off (unless the BBC feels there is a specific risk in which case they will call the producer). They have also reiterated there will be no extra money on budgets to meet the cost of hiring in an exec producer.

 

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Changes at the Top
After four years as Chair Neil Gardner will this summer, as he said at last year's AGM, be stepping down from the Board both because that's long enough for anyone and also as announced last autumn he's taken Ladbroke Productions out on its own and can no longer devote as much time to RIG as he did. Graham Frost meantime is vacating the Vice-chair position as he's got major new work projects outside of radio production, and Roger Elsgood has just stepped down too. So even more so than in previous years, we are very keen to encourage new people to stand for election to the RIG Board. There's no obligation to take on any of the most onerous roles, and no risk of being dropped in the deep end -- anyone enthusiastic and willing to learn will be helped to develop into a future officer of RIG. This doesn't just apply to our main contact people in RIG, so please pass on the invitation to anyone in your company who might be interested -- it's great experience for anyone who wants to build a network and a profile in the wider radio world. More information from the current Chair or Secretary, and more details nearer the AGM

 

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Legal Scheme renewals
As previewed last time our appointed Legal Services firm, Hill Dickinson LLP, is getting to work on the next batch of contracts while reviewing the existing ones whenever necessary at the remarkably modest 'renewal' fee of 86 pounds for this year. Because of new work commitments outside radio production, Graham Frost is not always going to be the first point of contact though he will maintain an interest in what has been very much 'his baby'. So if you're interested in joining, or just like to know more, contact the RIG Secretary in the first instance.

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Radio Industry Diversity Group
Many thanks to all who took part in the 'Diversity Day' organised by the RIDG of which RIG is a leading member. This was no mere gesture to diversity and inclusion but a really practical and valuable day, with impressive new talent appearing and the whole event reflected very well on the organising groups including RIG. Your response to our appeals to get involved was particularly appreciated.

 

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Our website

The RIG website is becoming even more important with our new public affairs / lobbying campaign (above), so another appeal! Please if you're willing to assist Neil with keeping it up to date (and you don't need to be a web-whizz) or just have useful information that we could add to the site -- contact Neil Gardner

 

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