New look for leading Northern Ireland independent production company

Waddell Media, formerly known as Brian Waddell Productions, has embarked on a period of non-stop production.
A new name and a dynamic new look are set to take one of Northern Ireland’s leading independents into a bright new future. As Brian Waddell Productions, it has just completed one of the busiest years in its 17-year history. As Waddell Media, it is facing a period of unprecedented activity in the international, national and regional arenas.
The new name and forward-looking new corporate identity, reflect a dramatic expansion and upsurge in business and profile. The eye-catching brand will appear on all programme credits and associated company material, as well as on the new-look website, www.waddellmedia.com.
Commenting on the change, Chairman and Managing Director Brian Waddell said: “Our original name has served the company well over the years, but we have now moved into a new multi-media age and wanted a name that would reflect the ever widening range and extent of our output.
“We have carried out extensive marketing research and believe we have come up with a contemporary and exciting new image for the company.”
The company’s potential as a producer of highly rated programmes for the UK networks and international market has been stimulated by substantial development grants from both the BBC and Channel 4, together with support from the Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission and Invest Northern Ireland.
In the first half of 2005, the company has produced programmes for six different broadcasters worldwide. Highlights include 'GlobalFlyer: Nonstop Around the World', an exclusive documentary for the Discovery Channel in Washington on aviator Steve Fossett's first solo, nonstop flight around the world, plus the star-studded, highly-rated 'What Women Really Want' for UKTV Style. 'The Movies' Greatest Cars', a fast-moving two-hour special for Sky One is scheduled for screening on August 7.
Waddell Media shows will feature heavily in BBC Northern Ireland's autumn season, with 'Lobby Lives', a major 15-part observational documentary inside Belfast's famous Europa Hotel; 'The Formal', five short authored films by Northern Ireland sixth form students; and the third series of the popular holiday programme 'Getaways'.
September sees the start of the company's first major BBC1 network commission, 'What Kids Really Think', a six-part series in which children from all over the UK join celebrity guests in speaking out about current issues and popular personalities. It will be presented by former international footballer Ian Wright.
The company is in development with the Discovery Channel to produce ‘Overkill’, a series of six one-hour programmes on sinister weapons of destruction, which was initiated earlier in the year at the company's New York base. 'How Long Will You Live?' is a series on health and lifestyle for the Irish national broadcaster RTE, which looks at how a change of lifestyle can prolong our lives.
The company currently has 25 full-time staff and regularly employs around twelve freelance producers, directors and other production staff.
(GB)