Welcome to the weekly Wrap from How-Do - media news for the North West.

The Wrap's guest editor this week is Matt Finnegan                 

 Blimey, I thought. What’s he up to now?

The How-Do headline: “Blair steps in at Granada, Manchester ” had me choking on my raspberry and blackcurrant oat flakes, George Dearsley-like.

Visions of a grinning Tone negotiating an historic peace settlement between Liverpool and Manchester flashed through my mind. But no, it was another Blair – Michael, taking over in Quay Street from Sue Woodward as regional director but “splitting his time” between Manchester and Birmingham.

Really? Is the North West now a part-time post then? Do we detect a further shift away from Granada’s commitment to the region, crafted so ably by the talented Woodward?  Perhaps Blair thinks Its Grim Up North?

Just like the rest of the metro-centric media according to my old reporting colleague, Dearsley who took a well-aimed sideswipe at the southern Jessies , in an intriguing ‘take’ on the death of Michael Todd.

In stark contrast, Auntie Beeb’s demonstrable commitment to the North West - via MediaCity:UK in Salford - looks as though it might take a back seat in the forthcoming PR push. That’s according to one “insider” at the great behemoth Peel, which appears hell-bent on North West domination with its multi-billion plans here, there and everywhere.

Perhaps they could spare a few quid first on clearing up the Bridgewater Canal, near my backyard in Sale?

I know some sound people who could give them some help to meet Peel’s, no doubt, sincerely-held commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility.

The most telling and significant contribution about MediaCity:UK however, came not from a pundit, PR, or property dealer - but from an eye-witness on site at Salford Quays.

It also gave us another valuable insight into the future shape of communications in the wonderful world of the web.

Take a bow then, Salford IT Manager Mark Whitfield for delivering a lengthy, detailed and well-informed update on MediaCity:UK progress in the How-Do comment box.

Perhaps Mark could do The Wrap next week? Citizen journalism indeed.

Matt Finnegan is a former MEN journalist and communications director for Liverpool council. He currently runs a social enterprise PR agency called Sound Communication


Elsewhere on How-Do this and last week (we had a break last - Easter - Friday):

• How-Do Awards - over 180 entries 
• Lee confirms 25 March start date at the NWEM
• Xfm celebrates second birthday under 'challening circumstances'
• Love work for Manc band James banned
  
• Code launches new website for Morris Homes
• Events company WRG acquires Plan Global
• Brown to land at Staniforth on 10 April 
• Liverpool Press Club to celebrate  125th anniversary 
• Hollyoaks music spin-off set to hit screens
  
• Vision Media sells TrainFX division for £1.5m
• Image Group points way forward for Burnley FC
• Reading Room launches new website for Midas 
• Clock Creative wins one year contract with the Lowry 
• And Partners pick s up £500k Hastens brief 
• Access wins entire Turtle Wax UK account
• Coast and Country magazine launches in north Wales & Cheshire
• John Sergeant to front Made in Manchester Radio 4 documentary
• Alison Flint appointed head of marketing at Liverpool Culture Co 
• Search marketeers Latitude poach McCarthy from Tamar 
• SNO!zone appoints Beattie's Manchester office
• Vertigo scores PR for North West Football Awards 
• Paul Carroll takes on mediacity strategic PR role
  
• IPB Comms picks up Keepmoat housing business
• Lime's Grange Hill getting a fond farewell 
• MaxBox's Egan  joins the British Olympic team 
• Peel poised to take over Pinewood Studios? 
• Hotel-Assist books in Just Search for SEO duties
• Corporation Pop to develop Second Life for Manchester Business School 
• MC2 lands design and PR jobs for Hobs
• The Individual Restaurant Company appoints Opening Doors
  
• BBC Manchester reveals the online love behind The Passion
• The Hub focuses on breastfeeding young mums for Lancashire PCT
• Fido to launch Lauren Child exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery
• Dinosaur to launch new  Gola range but MediaVest misses out 
• Fickling and Schindler make it into '40 under 40'
• Three new radio licences for North West stations
• Moneysupermarket.com nets Williams as new comms director 
• University of Manchester decides on print roster
• Lightmaker launches Guitar Hero on Tour for Nintendo 
• TMD Friction takes on Cube3 for global task
  
• How Dozen. Tony Murray interviews Mark Garner aka Gordo 
• SLAM picks up sports nutrition account 
• Creative Concern opens office in Leeds 
• MEN launches 'Pet Idol' 
• GMG Radio promotes Stuart Taylor to dep chief executive
• Nicola Leyland appointed chairman of the MPA
• Mersey Partnership seeks agency to promote conferences 
• MediaVest launches 'quirky' website
• Comment piece by Andrew Stothert of Brand Vista 
• Mere to launch new product range for Sneaky Snacks 
• Tangerine PR appoints first London MD 
• Q Hotels appoints CheethamBell JWT 
• Weekly paper The Darrener in expansionary mood 
• MediaVest to benefit from 50% increase in Greggs' media budget
• The Bolton News launches interactive public screens 
• Alton Towers appoints Trinity Communications 
• Co-operative Financial Services awards interim contract to Oomph
• Region's radio stations hoping for success at IRN awards 
• YQ Magazine liquidates former company and relaunches
  
• How Dozen. Tony Murray interviews Robert Harwood-Matthews of TBWA
  

Please send news to news@how-do.co.uk  

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