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Page 2 of 8 The 2009 How-Do Media 100 - numbers seven to 18
7. Mike Blair. ITV regional director. Had ITV’s operations in Wales handed to him in May this year to add to his Granada and Central portfolio, following the Isle of Man in March. Also this year, Manchester remains the broadcaster’s largest regional base. The move to Salford Quays seems to be off with insiders suggesting a big difference over rental values. Although media observers mourn the passing of Granada’s great heydays, ITV is still transmitting historically high levels of national TV out of Manchester although in common with the entire ITV network, its regional commitment to news and features continues to decline. But prior to the BBC relocation in 2011, ITV Granada remains the region’s single largest media employer. 8. Bryan Gray. Chairman, Peel Media. His inclusion in the ranking also acknowledges the arrival of Sinead Greenaway as chief executive this November - too late for inclusion this year. The former chair of the NWDA stepped into his new role last December having been an interested player throughout the whole process behind the relocation of five BBC departments to MediaCity. Gray took over shortly after the abrupt departure of former MD Brian Greasley. Insiders suggest that Gray increasingly calls the shots. Greenaway joins Peel Media from Virgin Media where she was operations and IT director.
9. Jimmy McGovern. A mixed year for McGovern but which got better as the year went on. The widely acclaimed The Street was not recommissioned following cut backs at ITV drama but Moving On - produced by Liverpool-based LA Productions – was. McGovern mentored the writing. Further good news surfaced in October when the BBC confirmed it was commissioning a new series, The Accused, a six by 60-minute series due for broadcast on BBC One in autumn 2010. Together with Abbott (q.v.) McGovern is acknowledged as one of the region’s internationally outstanding TV writers.
10. Mark Dodson. Chief executive, Guardian Media Group Regional Media. Rumours abounded about his position in the spring but his tenure is probably as strong as ever. The Reading daily went to twice a week, substantial cuts were introduced across the MEN and all the Manchester weeklies, Channel M’s headcount was sharply reduced and the MEN lost its editor. The past financial year saw operating profit drop to just £0.5m. On the plus side, Channel M is on a better footing and the group’s hard stance on the ABC issue suggests a company which hasn’t lost its stomach for a fight. Invited to join the board of NWV&M in the summer.
11. Phil Redmond. Sixty year old Redmond has topped these rankings for the past two years but his year out rescuing Liverpool 08 and apparent lack of current engagement sees him slip down the list. He remains however one of the region’s best known media figures and time will no doubt tell if his current lack of activity is temporary or permanent. Can still be frequently heard chipping in with criticisms of the Beeb and children’s TV in general. An ongoing involvement in ICDC but probably not as chunky as he’d like.
12. Alastair Machray. Editor, Liverpool Echo. The Echo is the UK’s second biggest regional newspaper with daily paid-for sales at 92,093 (The E&S in the Black Country is now the only regional daily with a six figure circulation and the MEN has withdrawn from ABC). Printing of the paper has moved to the Trinity Mirror plant in Oldham - saving around £20 said TM - and the first edition is on the streets before 9am. As is the paper’s style, there have been plenty of campaigns and new initiatives, from a stunning Hillsborough special to the launch of Local Mole. Previously edited the Daily Post.
13. Dave Lucas. Managing partner, MediaVest. The biggest media agency based outside London and still majority owned by Lucas and his co-founding partner Andy Jeal (29% each). A tough year for everyone in the media world but no doubt most would love to have it as tough as Mediavest which reported that sales had slipped back to £206m from £230m while profits fell from £7.75m to £6.8m Lucas has now called the bottom of the market and the agency is actively recruiting again. New account gains include Book Club Associates (£4.5m), rail company London Midland and consolidation of the JD Williams media business (£20m).
14. Sara Wilde. Managing director, Trinity Mirror North West and Wales. A tough year for Wilde in an industry facing tougher conditions than probably any other sector in How-Do Land. The South Wales titles have been added to her remit this year. Some titles have been axed and staff numbers are sharply down. The fact that industrial action hasn’t seriously reared its head reflects perhaps a resigned workforce but trading is finally stabilising in the sense that the pace of decline is easing. Back home, the closure of the print press in Old Hall Street ultimately went through with surprisingly little trouble. Arguably the most senior regional newspaper exec in the region.
15. Aziz Rashid. Head of BBC North West. Appointed in February this year following the departure of former regional boss Tamsin O’Brien. Has spent over 20 years with the Beeb, climbing the ladder from a trainee position in 1989 with World Service radio before moving across to TV where he had various editing roles. Prior to his promotion to Manchester, he was head of region for East Midlands for three years. All the region’s TV, radio, digital and other, employing around 800 staff ultimately report in to him.
16. Sue Little. Chief executive, McCann Manchester. Chief executive, McCann Manchester. The agency recently underwent a rebrand when it dropped its Comms House moniker. Still by some distance the largest agency based outside London but staff numbers are down following some big account losses including Peugeot after a tenure of 24 years and UPS while new accounts included Intercontinental Hotels, Lafarge and Haliborange. A satellite office was opened in Manchester to secure a steady stream of more ‘non conformist’ younger digital types who were hard to attract to leafy Cheshire. Little shies away from publicity.
17. Alison Hastings. Hastings is the BBC’s trustee for England and also leads the ethics committee. Can also be found working with the Press Complaints Commission, the Society of Editors, Camelot, Trinity Mirror and new this year is the Vice Presidency of the British Board of Film Classification. Was appointed editor of the Newcastle Evening Chronicle when just 29. Husband runs National Museums on Merseyside. BBC North and all it entails is likely to engage her yet further. Extremely well connected. 18. Helen Bullough. BBC, Head of Entertainment Production Manchester. The experienced and long-serving producer was promoted this year to her new role, essentially expanding her previous role together with additional executive responsibilities. She now oversees all format and factual entertainment produced out of Manchester including Dragon's Den, Question of Sport, Mastermind and last Millionaire. Her remit also includes the development of new projects. Perhaps best known in the North West for her work as chair of the RTS.
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