Made in Manchester has clinched its biggest deal to date with BBC Radio 2 after being commissioned to make five hours of programmes in the network’s forthcoming flagship Comedy Season.

The season, which kicks off early next week, will see documentaries on the Carry On’s, Tommy Cooper, Bob Monkhouse and Peter Sellers.

Carry On Forever presented by Leslie Phillips will transmit over two nights next Monday and Tuesday from 10-11pm. 86 year old Phillips, who starred in three of the early films, celebrates the enduring appeal of one of the most successful film canon’s in British movie history. There’s classic clips, new interviews with surviving cast members and archive interviews with the likes of Kenneth Williams, Sid James, Charles Hawtrey and Joan Sims.

“It was in Carry On Nurse where Leslie Phillips first introduced us to his catchphrases ‘oh hello’ and ‘ding dong’. We are delighted to have this legend of British comedy hosting this special series,” says Executive Producer Ashley Byrne.

Made in Manchester also turns its attention to Tommy Cooper with an affectionate hour long documentary presented by comedian Sean Lock. Tommy Cooper: Just Like This! airs on BBC Radio 2 at 10pm next Wednesday 21^st July.

Meanwhile on Monday, 26^th July, Alexander Armstrong will celebrate the life and work of Peter Sellers. Being Here: The Peter Sellers Story comes 30 years after the death of the British comedy actor who had a chameleon-like ability for taking on different personas. The hour long doc will again air between 10pm and 11pm.

And then on Tuesday 27^th July, Barry Cryer will present a moving tribute to his friend Bob Monkhouse. All Round Bob Monkhouse also airs between 10 and 11 in the evening.

Ashley Byrne says: “Made in Manchester is delighted to have been commissioned to make these special documentaries and to be able to help the Radio 2 audience remember some of Britain’s biggest comedy icons. We have a strong track record in this field having already made programmes for the network on Laurel and Hardy, Les Dawson, Dick Emery and Benny Hill.

He added:: “We hope that the Comedy Season will become a regular feature on the network.”

The Comedy Greats series is produced by Phil Collinge and Andrew Edwards and is Executive Produced by Ashley Byrne. It was ordered by Radio 2 controller Bob Shennan.

• For further information about the programme or Made in Manchester, please contact Ashley Byrne on 07702 155397 or go to www.madeinmanchester.tv

Mammoth Graphics have opened an office within The Pie Factory, MediaCityUK; their first base outside London.

Established just over ten years ago, Mammoth (who have an office in Ealing Studios in London) design and produce graphics for a host of broadcasters and production companies across a diverse range of sectors and genres.

Phil Long, Managing Director, Mammoth Graphics. “It’s exciting times for Mammoth Graphics and we are really pleased to be moving into The Pie Factory. We know it’s the ideal base from which to expand our business. By sharing a creative environment with other likeminded businesses, we feel that we can keep delivering to our current clients as well as building new relationships for the future.”

Sinead Greenaway, CEO of Peel Media said: “We’ve built a great close knit community at The Pie Factory and are very excited that Mammoth Graphics will become part of it.  We hope that their business will benefit from being located here at MediaCityUK”.

Formerly a food production line, The Pie Factory now accommodates three sound stages ranging from 3,000sq ft to 6,800 sq ft and a choice of office accommodation. It also incorporates a costume department, make-up rooms, dressing rooms and green rooms together with 24/7 security and parking.

Extra office accommodation was recently created within The Pie Factory to cope with the growing demand for space. To date there are 25 businesses located in The Pie Factory including Hive, Web Potential, TSL, Toasted Productions, Gallowglass, MK-V, Axon Birch and Purple Crew.

One of our tenants Scream Management is on the lookout for new young talent, aged 5-20 years.

To apply register your child online at: www.screammanagement.com

Scream’s list of credits include: Hollyoaks (C4), Doctors (BBC), The Accused (ITV), Emmerdale (ITV) and Waterloo Road (BBC)

The Pie Factory and MediaCityUK sponsor the under-17s Swinton football club and we’re glad to hear they’ve made it into the semi-finals. Well done!

Visit their website here

Top radio ‘indie’ & PR company moves to The Pie Factory MediaCityUK

Made in Manchester have re-located from Manchester city centre to MediaCityUK becoming the first radio production company and first PR/marketing agency to move to the Peel Media development at Salford Quays.

Having built a name for producing award-winning radio, television and new media content across a wide range of sectors and genres, the company (established in May 2005 by world swimming champion, James Hickman, and broadcaster and journalist Ashley Byrne) also operate a successful PR and marketing division.

Sinead Greenaway, CEO of Peel Media said: “We have a diverse mix of companies in The Pie Factory and are very excited that Made in Manchester have decided to make their home here. They have built an enviable reputation in the radio sector and we hope they will benefit from being next to our anchor tenant the BBC and becoming part of the already bustling community at the heart of MediaCityUK”.

Made in Manchester Creative Director Ashley Byrne said: “We have become well known for leading the way in both areas of our business and we are delighted to be the first UK radio independent production company and PR/Marketing agency to make our home at MediaCityUK.”

Formerly a food production line, The Pie Factory now accommodates three sound stages ranging from 3,000sq ft to 6,800 sq ft and a choice of office accommodation. It also incorporates a costume department, make-up rooms, dressing rooms and green rooms together with 24/7 security and parking.

Extra office accommodation was recently created within The Pie Factory to cope with the growing demand for space. To date there are 25 businesses located in The Pie Factory including Hive, Web Potential, TSL, Toasted Productions, Gallowglass, MK-V, Axon Birch and Purple Crew.

Hive aim to create an even bigger buzz at The Pie Factory, MediaCityUK

Advertising and design agency Hive, is the latest company to move into The Pie Factory at MediaCityUK taking advantage of the extra office accommodation that has been created within the former ‘freshbake’ factory.

Founded in 2006 by Manchester advertising man, Edwin Jones, Hive has gone from strength to strength and the move to MediaCityUK is the next stage in the agency’s development.

Having worked in some of the north’s leading advertising agencies, including TBWA and Poulter’s, Edwin’s experience has enabled Hive to produce work across all media for a diverse range of clients both large and small.

Hive believes the move will help raise its profile as well as putting the team at the heart of the creative community.

Edwin Jones said: ‘We had a great 2009 which saw us shoot our first TV commercial, in South Africa of all places, for a major consumer brand.  We are determined to build on that success and being in The Pie Factory, with its prestigious location will allow us to do that.” www.hivemanchester.co.uk

Sinead Greenaway, CEO of Peel Media said: “We are delighted that Hive has decided to make its new home The Pie Factory. We hope the agency benefits from being part of the thriving creative community at the heart of MediaCityUK”.

Formerly a food production line, The Pie Factory now accommodates three sound stages ranging from 3,000sq ft to 6,800 sq ft and a choice of office accommodation. It also incorporates a costume department, make-up rooms, dressing rooms and green rooms together with 24/7 security and parking.

Over the past six months Web Potential, TSL, Toasted Productions and MK-V have opened offices at The Pie Factory.

Filmed at The Pie Factory – Spring 2010

Dozens of adverts, commercials and photo shoots film at The Pie Factory, one of our most recent was a series of adverts for Iceland Foods. Filmed in our Leeds soundstage by KDP the adverts can be viewed online here

Peel Media announced today that Andy Waters is to join the MediaCityUK senior management team as Head of Studios.

Andy is one of a team of Resource Managers currently responsible for delivering business for BBC Studios and Post Production. His 20 years of experience has been concentrated in the TV studio environment, having started his career at Limehouse Studios before moving to the BBC.

He has enormous experience in working with many of the country’s leading independent production companies, BBC Entertainment and ITV Studios. Throughout this time, Andy has been supporting programme makers in making some of the largest and most complex of studio productions.

Sinead Greenaway, chief executive of Peel Media, said today: “We’re delighted that Andy Waters is joining us as Head of Studios.  This is a key appointment for MediaCityUK and Andy’s vast experience at both the BBC and with the commercial sector, will be a great asset to our team as we move towards studio operational mode by the end of 2010.”

Andy Waters said on his appointment: “I’m excited to be involved in this fantastic opportunity to create a 21^st century studio facility at Salford Quays where content producers can make their shows the best they can possibly be. I’m looking forward to working at MediaCityUK, an innovative and vibrant hub, where programmes will be at the heart of what we do.”

The Studios at MediaCityUK

Owned and operated by Peel Media, the studio block will include seven high definition television studios, two audio studios (one dedicated to the BBC Philharmonic), and a technical block featuring: fully equipped sound and vision control rooms; core post facilities; CTA (central technical area); dressing rooms; make-up rooms; workshops; set storage; and green rooms.

Breakdown of studio sizes:

• Studio 1, ground floor: 7,646 sq ft (710.3 sq m)
• Studio 2, ground floor: 4,550 sq ft (422.7 sq m)
• Studio 3, ground floor: 6,283 sq ft (583.7 sq m)
• Studio 4, first floor: 1,615 sq ft (150 sq m)
• Studio 5, first floor: 983 sq ft (91.3 sq m)
• Studio 6, ground floor: 12,543 sq ft (1,165.3 sq m)
• Studio 7, first floor: 983 sq ft (91.3 sq m)
• Philharmonic studio, ground floor: 6,339 sq ft (588.9 sq m)
• Multi-purpose audio studio: 1,850 sq ft (171.9 sq m)

The studio block will also house the Open Centre – a split level reception area featuring a bar, cafés and an information point.  In addition, productions are ongoing at The Pie Factory, next door to the main development. The Pie Factory, owned by Peel Media, celebrated its third birthday in January and is already home to twenty businesses offering an array of services from camera and lighting hire to casting, design and IT solutions.

Phase one of MediaCityUK is scheduled for completion in 2011, when BBC North establishes its new headquarters and the University of Salford opens a new higher education centre.

www.mediacityuk.co.uk

We’ve recently developed some new office space at The Pie Factory. For more information please contact Suzie Facer (suzie@thepiefactory.co.uk) or Felicity Allan (felicity.allan@mediacityuk.co.uk).

MK-V and Web Potential have moved into The Pie Factory at MediaCityUK taking advantage of additional accommodation that has been created to house media and creative businesses.

The Pie Factory, owned by Peel Media, celebrated its third birthday in January and is already home to twenty businesses offering an array of services from camera and lighting hire to casting, design and IT solutions.

Adel Rawlinson from Web Potential said: “Knowing the reputation The Pie Factory has as an epicentre of media creativity, we welcome this move as an exciting step forward for Web Potential Ltd.  The majority of the work we do is for the internet and taking into account the explosion in online video this is an area of the business we are keenly focusing upon.  The Pie Factory has some real attractions for us as a company housing some of the largest green screens in the country and with the development of MediaCityUK it’s a great place for us to be!  We see the move a positive one with a view to growing the business to new heights”.

Howard Smith CEO/MD MK-V Group said: “I am delighted to announce that MK-V has found a home in the MediaCityUK site. We’re taking place along some old friends such as Take2 and 24/7. We look forward to meeting other residents”.

Sinead Greenaway, CEO of Peel Media said: “The expansion to accommodate more media businesses is testament to the success of The Pie Factory. It is hard to believe that in just over three years it has transformed from a derelict food making factory to a venue where creative companies and individuals make first class content”.

Formerly a food production line, The Pie Factory now accommodates three sound stages ranging from 3,000sq ft to 6,800 sq ft and a choice of office accommodation. It also incorporates a costume department, make-up rooms, dressing rooms and green rooms together with 24/7 security and parking.

Over the past six months, the international broadcast systems integrator TSL and Toasted Productions both opened offices at The Pie Factory.