4iP Announces Key Commissioner Appointment For Yorkshire & Humber

4iP, Channel 4's major new digital innovation initiative, has appointed a Digital Commissioning Manager to head up its team in Yorkshire.
Lucy Würstlin, who will take up the Sheffield-based post at the end of this month, will spearhead plans to implement the £10 million content and services fund aimed at stimulating digital media across Yorkshire.
4iP aims to re-invent public service media for the digital age by encouraging and supporting innovation on digital platforms. The Fund is collaboration between Channel 4 and a network of four nations and regions across the UK, including Scotland, Northern Ireland and the West Midlands.
Screen Yorkshire has worked to bring 4iP to Yorkshire in partnership with Yorkshire Forward, who are matching the Channel 4 investment to provide a total of up to £10m for investment in content and services across the Yorkshire and Humber region.
As Commissioning Manager for 4iP in Yorkshire, Lucy will be on the lookout for innovative new ideas from companies and individuals in the region for websites, games and mobile services that will enhance and enrich the lives of their users.
Lucy has worked in the creative industries sector for over 15 years and has developed and managed a range of investment programmes for creative and digital businesses, most recently as Development Manager of The Culture Company and Director of Melt, a programme in South Yorkshire which supports digital companies to develop new content ideas for emerging platforms and media market opportunities.
Lucy said: "I am absolutely delighted to be joining Channel 4 as the 4iP Commissioning Manager for Yorkshire. 4iP is an incredibly pioneering initiative, which aims to reinvent publicly valuable media content and services and experiment and innovate with how these can be delivered and experienced in an increasingly digital age.
"This is one of the most significant, challenging and exciting opportunities for new and emergent digital media companies in the region. 4iP is a chance for Yorkshire's talent, above and below the radar, to make their mark and play a key role in defining new and ground-breaking territory."
Sally Joynson, Chief Executive of Screen Yorkshire said: "I am delighted to congratulate Lucy on her appointment and look forward to working with her in her new role. Yorkshire has a strong infrastructure of companies and individuals working in the digital media sector and Screen Yorkshire has worked extensively to bring 4iP to the region to ensure that they have the opportunity to be at the heart of Channel 4's vision for the future."
The 4iP fund for Yorkshire will be launched officially at an industry event in Sheffield on February 4, prior to the fund's operational launch in April 2009. To celebrate, Screen Yorkshire in partnership with Arts Council England is offering companies and individuals working in the creative and digital media sectors in the region the opportunity to get ahead of the game by winning one of a number of £5,000 development funds.
The pitching competition is open to any Yorkshire-based company, individual or consortium . Full details are available at: www.screenyorkshire.co.uk. Deadline for entries is January 19.
(KMcA/JM)