Media Advisory: London Media Centre unlocks the capital for broadcasters

The London Media Centre is launching a number of initiatives as part of the city’s commitment to support media wanting to film in the city and create programmes about the host city and country during 2012.

To benefit from the London Media Centre, all media MUST register for the services. The LMC pass will act as a pan London filming permit during Games time.

A guide for broadcasters
This guide provides information and guidance for broadcasters wanting to film news and feature packages for their pre and Games time programmes. The guide includes a list of boroughs and attractions accepting the LMC pass to access filming positions around London from 1 July until 10 September 2012. The guide can be downloaded for free here.

Original broadcast content
In order to share news stories, the London Media Centre is creating original editorial content every month for broadcasters and news agencies to use in the context of their Games programmes and features. Each monthly package will be themed and so far; A City Prepares and Accessibility packages are available to download. The next packages produced will be Sustainability, Food and Drink and A Look at the Year Ahead.

HD quality broadcast packages can be downloaded here

Free B-roll
The London Media Centre is partnering with The News Market, to ensure easy access to all editorial footage from a single FTP site. Media from around the world need to register here for free to download content including the monthly packages.

London Media Centre website
In spring 2012, the London Media Centre website will be launched offering the latest news, images, case studies and information as well as the broadcast and content.

London Media Centre Overview
The London Media Centre will support media interested in reporting the wider story taking place across London and the UK during the period of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. By registering, media will get access to a working press room, edit facilities, outside broadcast positions and content programmes both in London and around the UK. Media can register for a place here.

To access the online application form and find out further information about the London Media Centre and registration process, visit www.londonmediacentre.co.uk
Notes to Editors

The organisation of the London Media Centre is being coordinated by London & Partners – the official promotional agency for London, the Greater London Authority, VisitBritain, Transport for London (TfL), Film London and the Government Olympic Executive (GOE), which is part of the DCMS.

Please note: Media outlets are responsible for covering the cost of their flights, accommodation, meals, and transport whilst in the city.

1. It is predicted that during Games-time there will be upwards of 20,000 international and UK media professionals (accredited and non-accredited) in London. Up to two-thirds of these of these journalists will be accredited by the National Olympic Committees of competing countries and eligible to use their facilities in the Olympic Park, namely the International Broadcast Centre and the Main Press Centre.

2. The non-accredited media will not have rights to the Games but will be in London to cover news and features on the city and the countryas destinations as well as the 2012 Games. The content of their work will be informed by a pre-planned programme of activities and editorials designed specifically to showcase London and the UK to their audiences. The non-accredited media professionals will also have the opportunity to access not just the London Media Centre (LMC) but also its satellite broadcast positions, which will be in key iconic locations around the city.

3. About One Great George Street: Located in the heart of London’s cultural and political life, the One Great George Street conference and wedding venue is surrounded by many fantastic landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and one of London’s most ornamental parks, St James’s Park. This elegant and historical building has been described as a ‘monumental neo-classical design’ and a ‘modern rendering of the late Renaissance’. The exterior, foyer and grand staircase are made of Portland stone and many of the rooms are ornately decorated with French Walnut and oak panelling, elegant carved plaster ceilings and elaborate crystal chandeliers.

4. LMC broadcast services provider, North One, has extensive experience in production and programme making across a number of areas including Formula 1 and World Rally Championships in the sporting world and numerous entertainment and factual programmes. With offices in London, Birmingham and Sydney, North One is able to deliver a world- wide service to the LMC using its extensive Olympic related knowledge during Games time and preview material.

5. LMC digital partner, Flint London, is a video communications agency with offices in London and São Paulo. Specialising in digital integration and delivery, combining live broadcast, webcasting, video production and motion graphics, Flint brings projects to life including music events, interactive/experiential digital projects and corporate activities.

6. Rushmans has a long history of providing media centre management and accreditation solutions across numerous events around the globe. Rushmans will manage the London Media Centre build and delivery, working with the appointed broadcast and telco suppliers, to ensure a world class venue and services is delivered to accommodate the media covering the story in London and the UK during the 2012 Games. A huge experience gained working within sport and major conferences gives Rushmans huge experienced needed to deliver a multifaceted Media Centre. Having worked on the ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies in 2010, Euro ’96 in London and the 2006 Asian Games amongst many events, whether it is build or accreditation, Rushmans are perfectly placed with their team of internationally experienced staff to deliver for London and the rest of the UK.

7. Etherlive is an event technology services company with a broad range of experience in delivering leading IT solutions to many prestige events in the UK. Etherlive will provide all the communications services within the LMC and at the connected media positions.

8. Easynet will provide the LMC connectivity inside the building and at the connected media positions where stand up camera positions will provide the ability for broadcasters to go live into programmes around the world from the heart of London. Having provided Sky with HD services for broadcast Easynet will be well placed to deliver broadcast solutions for 2012 and last year’s Pre Election broadcasts “The Prime Ministerial debates” were delivered by Easynet for Sky.

London & Partners
London & Partners is the official promotional agency for London attracting and delivering value to businesses, students and visitors. London & Partners is a not-for-profit public private partnership, funded by the Mayor of London and our network of commercial partners.

Our remit is to drive leisure and business visitors as well as bidding to secure major events in London, we can unlock the city for overseas businesses who want to set up or expand in London and we promote the capital’s world class universities to international students.

Our intention is to work in partnership with organisations in London and across the world to deliver our goal - that London be globally recognised as the best big city on earth.
London & Partners is working with a host of partners to deliver the content programme for the London Media Centre.

VisitBritain
VisitBritain is Britain’s national tourism agency, responsible for marketing Britain worldwide and developing Britain’s visitor economy. A non-departmental public body, funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, we work in partnership with thousands of organisations in the UK and overseas ― the Government, the industry and our strategic partners in London, England, Scotland and Wales ― and seek to ensure that Britain is marketed appropriately around the world.

Our priority is to deliver a four-year match funded global marketing programme, working with the private sector, which takes advantage of the unique opportunity of the Royal Wedding, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Games to showcase Britain and attract new visitors from the tourism growth markets of Asia and Latin America and to reinvigorate our appeal in core markets such as the USA, France and Germany. This campaign aims to attract four million extra visitors to Britain, who will spend an additional £2 billion over the four years.
We also provide analysis and advice on the issues facing potential visitors, on Britain’s competitive position and the barriers to inbound tourism growth. This is in addition to providing research; market intelligence and analysis to inform the British tourism industry.

VisitBritain has offices in key overseas markets with dedicated PR teams and support for media with advice and information, images, broadcast quality HD footage and a dedicated online media centre.
http://media.visitbritain.com

GOE
The Government Olympic Executive (GOE) is part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the host government department for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. DCMS aims to improve the quality of life for all through cultural and sporting activities, to support the pursuit of excellence and to champion the tourism, creative and leisure industries.

GOE oversees the London 2012 project on behalf of the Government, ensuring that it is delivered on time and within budget, represents value for public money and benefits the whole of the UK. This is done across the project by coordinating the services from other government departments and agencies that will support the Games, identifying and solving problems and being accountable to Parliament and the public.

Film London, as the capital’s film and media agency, aims to ensure London has a thriving film sector that enriches the city’s businesses and its people. The agency works with all the screen industries to sustain, promote and develop London as a major international production and film cultural capital, and it supports the development of the city’s new and emerging film-making talent. Film London is funded by the Mayor of London, the National Lottery through the BFI, and receives significant support from Arts Council England and Skillset.

Film London’s activities include:
• Managing the national remit for inward investment through film
• Maintaining, strengthening and promoting London and the South East’s position as a film-friendly region to attract investment
• Investing in new and established talent through a range of specialised production schemes
• Boosting employment and competitiveness in the capital’s film and media sectors by facilitating funding as well as supporting training and business development activities
• Maximising access to the capital’s film culture by helping audiences discover film in all its diversity
• Working with a wide range of partners to promote London through the production industries
• Utilizing opportunities provided by London 2012 and its legacy to strengthen the capital’s film industry and culture

An independent evaluation of Film London concluded that for every £1 invested in the agency, £4 comes back to the city.
www.filmlondon.org.uk