Carroll currently runs his own consultancy, Zuma 011, but has apparently committed to a six-month secondment for the Mediacity project to help Peel communicate their ambitions for the 200-acre site.

To date the huge majority of the coverage accrued by Mediacity has been linked to the BBC’s departmental move in 2011.

Although obviously hugely important to the development, it is understood that Peel is looking beyond its anchor-tenant and wishes to inculcate the message that Mediacity is about more than simply the BBC – that it is actually a ‘Silicon Valley’, a hub, for all media and creative businesses.

More than just the BBC

Carroll’s challenge is believed to revolve around planning how to disseminate these messages to the media on both a local and national level.

He will then advise on how to proceed with the process and whether to control the PR from in-house at Peel, or to utilise outside (agency) help.

The appointment is understood to be on a six-month basis only (not two years, as has been rumoured), but could be extended if both parties feel they can take the project forward.

Carroll could not be contacted to confirm these details, although official confirmation of his contract is expected next week.

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Comments (1)

1  By Mark Whitfield , on 26-03-2008 09:29 I thought How Do might be interested to know the current status of the actual build for MediaCity:UK in Salford Quays as of March 25th (12pm), 2008.     The site now consists of 11 cranes with a reported 9 more on the way (12th crane base in place). Most of the concrete cores of the new BBC building look to be in place or started, rising to 9-10 storeys (maybe more) for the highest cores. The cores are currently being surrounded by concrete pillars up to 5-6 storeys currently. There are upto 400 workers on site currently with a proposed 1000+ to be posted eventually with 20 cranes in all (according to unconfirmed reports from workers on-site).     The land for the taller buildings off to the side of the main BBC building (right from the Lowry Centre side) is still being dug and prepared but more temporary cabins are in place off Broadway (the road that runs through the back of the Quays) presumably to house more MediaCity:UK project staff and a contingent of the BBC (cameramen) looking at the latest articles across the internet.     The current phase of the build occupies 35-40 acres (next to the City Lofts flats) with other phases planned across the water on the Imperial War Museum side.     The overall site is something of the order of 200 acres but no visible signs of development has started outside the main phase 1 area currently. No doubt this will depend on discussions with other media companies being persuaded to join the MediaCity:UK estate.     For a photographic timeline for December / February and beyond (and pictures back to May of last year), go to Google and search on ‘BBC Salford Quays Approved - Media City : UK whitfield’ in Google or goto ‘www.mawhitfield.co.uk/mcuk.htm’.     Judging be the pace of the development, there is a big push on to meet the 2010/11 date for the first phase completion.     Those currently thinking about a career in the media by way of a chosen degree (media studies, photography etc.) might be one of the 15,500 new jobs to be created between now and 2011 in the first phase of this build. Also, the price of properties (and especially flats) in the area will almost certainly rise as a result of the considerable development occuring in this location with new flats being built currently.     I have worked as an IT Manager in Salford Quays for 12 years and live in North Bolton. When I first came here, the skyline of the Quays area was relatively flat but now houses such buildings as The Designer Outlet (80 outlet stores), The iconic Lowry and Imperial War Museum Buildings and new flat developments which continue to be built in anticipation of the BBC move and general growth in this area.     Hope this update helps. Report