PA Entertainment announce launch of Premier Showbiz

21 June 2006, PA Entertainment is to launch an interactive showbiz news service, with in-depth, multimedia coverage from the world of celebrity, film, music and TV.

Launching on July 17, Premier Showbiz will offer enhanced, white label content for web, print and mobile platforms, including ISPs, newspaper websites and 3G phones.

The service will integrate rolling news coverage with gossip, features, video and audio clips and live images.

A team of 11 staff in the UK and US will provide up to 40 news stories a day with associated backgrounders, features, comment and analysis, celebrity profiles and related web links.

Premier Showbiz will incorporate content from throughout the PA Group. In partnership with celebrity picture agency EMPICS Entertainment, a team of photographers will cover celebrity, film, fashion and ‘soft paparazzi’ non-diary images.

At least five stories a day will be accompanied by a multimedia video or audio clip, provided by PA’s Multimedia department and multi-skilled journalists within the Premier Showbiz team.

All major events in the showbiz calendar, including the Oscars, Brits and Baftas, will also be covered in increased depth, with a range of content available for the creation or hosting of dedicated microsites - from background features and interviews, to live photo galleries and after-show gossip.

A truly multi-platform service, customers will be able to either download material via the secure Premier Showbiz portal (www.premiershowbiz.co.uk) or have tailored content delivered to them via direct xml feed.

Premier Showbiz is headed up by Emily Shelley, formerly Customer Publishing Editor at PA Entertainment. Emily joined PA Group in 1999 as a news trainee and has worked in a number of editorial departments across the company.

Commenting on the launch of Premier Showbiz, Nick Thomas, PA Entertainment Managing Director said: “The consistent message from our customers is that they want more showbiz content. Premier Showbiz will complement PA’s core wire service and will significantly enhance what PA Entertainment is able to offer customers across all platforms.”

Emily Shelley said: “Premier Showbiz will give a fresh take on all things showbiz and celebrity. We are creating a fun service that isn’t afraid to cover lighter stories as well as the more traditional news agenda. The demand for fast, accurate and informed showbiz content is greater than ever.

“Our reporters and photographers are the best in the business. Their words, pictures, video and audio will combine to offer our subscribers a unique and exciting content package.”

Contact Information

Elizabeth Castle

External Communications Manager

The Press Association

Contact via E-mail