Experience

BBC World Service

Project: Transform flagship religious affairs programme Focus on Faith into new format Reporting Religion.

Brief: Give the programme a harder news edge whilst remaining “a good listen”.

Outcome: New format well received. Generally acknowledged as making the programme more accessible to a non-specialist audience.

“Ben transformed the programme, giving it a harder news edge and more entertainment value. Particular highlights were sure-footed, original, and forward-looking editions in response to 9/11. Among Ben's great strengths is his skill in making programmes on any subject accessible to non-specialist audiences, and he never loses sight of the overall aim to provide what's so crucial: a good listen.”
Kristine Pommert – Senior Producer, BBC World Service.


Project: Make two half-hour documentaries for BBC World Service whilst at a sacred music festival in Morocco.

Brief: Vague, other than to be suitable for the programme in question, and examine the term “sacred music” and the role of the festival.

Outcome: Both programmes were acclaimed from the highest editorial level down, drawing a large and positive listener response. Programme two was described by a regular BBC presenter as “one of the best things I’ve heard on the World Service in months.” It was then featured on the end-of-year round up of World Service highlights; Pick of the Year.

Guardian Unlimited Website

Project: A series of podcasts for business travellers for the Business Travel section of the Guardian Unlimited Website.

Brief: Produce four 15 minute podcasts, one each from London, Paris, New York and Geneva with Guardian correspondents. The style needed to be lively and accessible, but suitable for the target audience of business travellers. As well as being entertaining, they had to contain a large amount of information about accommodation, business tips, food and entertainment.

Outcome: All four programmes were well received, and placed on the Guardian Unlimited website for an indefinite period.

“Ben put in a lot of time into giving the finished product an authentic flavour”
Liane Katz – Travel Editor, Guardian Unlimited.

listen Travel guide to New York

BBC English Regions

Project: Produce audio feature to re-launch RSA sponsored community scheme.

Brief: Visit successful projects formed by the scheme in previous years. Make entertaining and educational feature suitable for nationwide promotional project.

Outcome: Broadcast nationwide by BBC local radio stations. Subsequent campaign a success.
“Ben made a very lively and colourful piece, but still conveyed the serious nature of the work. His technical deftness was much needed and helped to make the scheme a success in all the stations that took part.” Neil Cartmell - BBC Special Features Unit.

BSkyB/National Geographic Channel

Project: Promotion for National Geographic Channel TV special Return To Titanic.

Brief: Script a 30 second radio promotion suitable for national commercial radio stations Classic FM and Virgin.

Outcome: Pitch accepted and two commercials recorded and broadcast. Subsequently offered further promotions work by the channel.