16 May 2005
Regional Attraction Fund attracts top names to Northwest
North West Vision, the Film and TV agency for England's Northwest has made
two more significant awards from its Regional Attraction Fund (RAF).
Delivered by North West Vision in partnership with the Northwest
Regional Development Agency (NWDA), the Regional Attraction Fund (RAF) is a
major initiative to attract high-growth independent television producers to
England's Northwest and to support indigenous production companies in the
region.
Baby Cow Productions and Channel X/Karushi Management will
both benefit from the RAF and will be setting up permanent bases in the
Manchester. They follow Hat Trick North, which set up in the region at the
beginning of the year, again with help from North West Vision.
Baby Cow,
which was established in 1999 by Mancunian's Steve Coogan and Henry Normal, is
responsible for hugely successful comedies such as Nighty Night, I Deal,
Alistair McGowan's Big Impression and the cult film 24-hour Party People.
Headed up by former Head of Entertainment at Granada, Heather Coogan,
(Executive Producer) and Rick Michaels (Head of Development), Baby Cow
Manchester will initially be staffed by a core team of three and will focus on
comedy and entertainment commissions in the region.
Channel X is
one of the UK's longest established comedy and entertainment specialists and is
responsible for hit TV shows such as BBC's Shooting Stars and the controversial
animation series Popetown.
Channel X and Karushi Management will
be setting up a new joint-venture in the Northwest, to be known as Channel K.
Aside from developing quality comedy, factual and entertainment programmes the
company will also act as a talent agency and will be signing up emerging comedy
talent in the region.
The Manchester based venture will be headed
up by Directors Alan Marke, Jim Reid and Lisa Thomas. Initially the office will
employ a team of four locally based staff.
The Regional Attraction Fund
will assist both companies with their initial start-up and running costs,
enabling the best possible start to their operations in the
Northwest.
Alice Morrison, Chief Executive of North West Vision,
comments:
"The Northwest has produced some great comedy talent over the
last ten years and we know there is plenty more out there just waiting to be
discovered. We welcome both Baby Cow and Channel K to strengthen the region's
comedy base. One of North West Vision's key aims is to develop indigenous talent
in the region so we are particularly pleased that locally based producers are
heading up both companies."
Henry Normal of Baby Cow Productions
comments:
"We are absolutely delighted to announce that with the help of
the RAF we will be setting up in the Northwest, especially as both Steve and I
started out in Manchester. Together with Heather and Rick, we aim to work
closely with Northwest talent new and established, both in front of and behind
the camera."
Alan Marke, Head of Production at Channel X
comments:
"We believe that there is a lot of new and untapped talent in
the Northwest and we aim to uncover and nurture it. We have been considering
setting up an office in the Northwest for quite a while. Thanks to North West
Vision and the RAF, this has been made possible."
Peter Mearns, NWDA
Director of Marketing comments:
"The driving force behind setting up the
RAF is to help independent production companies like Baby Cow and Channel X take
advantage of the region's excellent film and television ability. Not only
does the fund create jobs for media professionals in the region but also
reinforces the region's reputation as one of the most attractive locations for
aspiring new talent."
Ends
For further editorial information
contact Geraldine Vesey or Angie Grant at Spin Media on 0161 236 9909 or email
angie@spinmedia.co.uk
Notes to editors
- North West Vision is the film and TV
development agency for England's Northwest. It funds film and TV programmes,
develops new talent and works to attract new production and inward investment
into the region. www.northwestvision.co.uk
- The Northwest Regional Development Agency is responsible for the
sustainable economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and has
five key priorities: Business Development, Regeneration, Skills and Employment,
Infrastructure, and Image. www.nwda.co.uk
- The Regional Attraction Fund (or 'RAF') is a major initiative to
attract high-growth independent television producers to England's Northwest and
to support indigenous production companies in the region. Delivered by North
West Vision in partnership with the Northwest Development Agency, the first £1
million phase of the Fund runs from January 2005 to October 2005 and offers a
integrated package of incentives, business support and product development
investment to companies with ambitious, market-driven strategies for growth
within the television sector. www.northwestvision.co.uk/raf