Land for sale? Contact land@peel.co.uk

X
10 Nov 2020

Student enterprise launches Badger & Combes office in MediaCityUK

Former University of Salford Students who set up award winning production company - Badger & Combes have launched their first production office, studio and gallery in MediaCityUK’s recently expanded Arrive workspace in the Greenhouse.

The launch coincides with the announcement that they are set to deliver the special return of United We Stream: Christmas party season, which will raise money for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham's oneGM initiative.

Since graduates Colin McKevitt, Katie Hall and Billy Isles established the company this Summer,  Badger & Combes have been in demand, winning bids to be the delivery partner for Manchester’s lockdown content sharing phenomena  - United We Stream, Sale Sharks Live, Lancashire Cricket, and for MediaCityUK’s popular ‘spotlight on’ event series.

The Digital Media Specialists, whose core team consists of nine University of Salford alumni, have been bolstered by 35 former and current students, who are given hands-on experience to bolster their employment opportunities. Long term, they aspire to work with universities and colleges across the North West to offer work experience and opportunities for students, bringing a pipeline of the best talent into MediaCityUK and helping relieve the ‘skills gap’ issue.

Badger & Combes talent has been recognised by the industry, clinching two Prolific North Awards for their work with GMCA delivering United We Stream GM.  Over the course of 12 weeks the team delivered 207 hours of original content broadcasting, worked with 353 artists and raised £477,000 to support Greater Manchester’s hard hit night-time economy.

Colin McKevitt, Director of Badger & Combes said: “The North West is filled with incredible digital talent and we knew we wanted to be based in MediaCityUK where we are able to collaborate with a wide range of fresh talent to industry leaders, established broadcasters to innovative SMEs. The dynamic mix of businesses and opportunity here is very important for a good mix of creativity and future digital growth.

“We also love the effort MediaCityUK are putting in to support their community, from the success of Box on Docks to online events, there is a real sense that we’re not just renting square footage but instead we are part of a positive growing community.  MediaCityUK has everything we’re after; digital connectivity, a collaborative ethos and a strong community, we’re excited to be part of it.”

Stephen Wild, Managing Director of MediaCityUK added: “Badger & Combes is a fantastic addition to MediaCityUK and their ethos of creating opportunity for under and post-graduates within a highly competitive industry is to be commended. It is extremely important that we continue to attract, support and retain the best creative talent here in MediaCityUK and Badger & Combes are a fantastic example of this. They are fast becoming one of the most ‘in demand’ production partners and we are very excited to support their growth at MediaCityUK and see what they go on to accomplish.”

United We Stream: Christmas Party Season will broadcast on Friday, 18 December, 19 December, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve.  https://unitedwestream.co.uk/