Alan Yentob: 'The BBC can't compete with its hands tied behind its back'

BBC's creative director on his closeness to Tony Hall, competition from rivals like Google – and his plan for more appsAlan Yentob is having his picture taken on a staircase overlooking the vast BBC newsroom at New Broadcasting House and telling me about the flooding at his house in Somerset when we are interrupted by annoyed news staff.They ask us to move as flashes from the camera can be seen on-screen on the BBC News Channel – illustrating the perils of having a newsroom as a backdrop for live bulletins.Yentob apologises and we retire to his office – a former radio drama kitchen that sits between Old and New Broadcasting House. Apt, as Yentob bridges the old and new within the organisation. His office is narrow but cosy – desk stacked with books and an Alan Yentob mask someone sent him. There is a fold-up bike below his desk, just like the one Hugh Bonneville's character Ian Fletcher has as head of BBC Values in John Morton's forthcoming follow-up to Twenty Twelve, W1A, in which Yentob has a cameo.But as there's no table, we move to director general Tony Hall's office. As he confirms, Yentob played a part in bringing Hall back to the BBC after George Entwistle resigned. "I always felt that Tony should've been the director general. Yes, I did talk to [Lord Patten] about it and I did speak to Tony. For Tony it wasn't without its risks, he loved his [Royal Opera House] job."It seemed his influence might wane under Entwistle, but it is obvious he is now back at the heart... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2014-02-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Kids’ Comics Come Roaring Back at Comic-Con

While there were no big announcements, creators and publishers of middle-grade and YA graphic novels had a strong presence at the show and the recent surge in organized efforts at censorship was a major topic of panels and discussions. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-07-27 04:00:00 UTC ]
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10 glorious new books to get your hands on right now.

Coming to an indie bookstore/library near you today! * Dwyer Murphy, An Honest Living (Viking) “Like the best noir practitioners, Murphy uses the mystery as scaffolding to assemble a world of fallen dreams and doom-bitten characters.” –The New York Times Book Review Elaine Castillo, How To Read... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-07-26 08:55:51 UTC ]
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Looking Back, Was I The Idiot?

Before we begin, I must confess to my bias. I am not an objective reader, so in some ways I have already failed. A few months before I read Elif Batuman’s debut novel The Idiot, I had a conversation with a friend that unlocked a safe in my brain. After, there was nowhere I could […] The post... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2022-07-19 11:05:00 UTC ]
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San Diego Comic-Con Is Back

The massive show returns in-person to San Diego this summer after a three-year hiatus. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-07-01 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Macmillan Slowly Bringing Systems Back

In an update on the status of a "security incident" that forced Macmillan to take many of its computer systems offline, the company said it has made progress in restoring access, but said that while it is accepting orders electronically, it is “unable to process them at the time.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-07-01 04:00:00 UTC ]
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I wrote a memoir about my family's secrets. Then I had to move back in with them

After publishing a tell-all memoir about her family’s struggles with undiagnosed mental illness, Lindsay Wong was surprised by their reaction when she moved back in with her parents during the pandemic. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2022-06-17 15:51:56 UTC ]
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Once More for Those in the Back: Libraries Are Not Neutral

Five prominent library educators defend the profession’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-06-10 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Survey: Australian Researchers Back Mandatory Integrity Training

The Australian Academy of Science and Springer Nature team up on a first survey, one that may go to markets beyond Australia. The post Survey: Australian Researchers Back Mandatory Integrity Training appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-06-09 21:37:30 UTC ]
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Book to Film and Back: 'Star Child' Returns to Print with A24

Indie entertainment company A24's publishing division is bringing Claire A. Nivola's 2014 picture book 'Star Child' back into print in a redesigned and expanded edition; the book was prominently featured in the 2021 film 'C’mon C’mon,' written and directed by Mike Mills. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-06-09 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Tracy Flick is back — and she’s tired of losing

Tracy Flick, the ambitious high school student from Tom Perrotta's "Election," is now an assistant principal in the sequel, "Tracy Flick Can't Win" Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-06-07 13:57:02 UTC ]
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Elizabeth Whiting to Succeed Alan Smagler at Scholastic

Elizabeth Whiting has been promoted to v-p of trade sales at Scholastic Trade Publishing, effective June 1, succeeding Alan Smagler, who will transition to a consulting role. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-05-24 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Tokyopop Marks 25 Years: CEO Stu Levy Looks Back and Ahead

Founded 25 years ago by Stu Levy at a time when manga was a niche within a niche, Tokyopop brought manga—Japanese book-format comics—to a new generation of young American fans, ushering in a new era in North American comics. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-05-18 04:00:00 UTC ]
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How Media Buyers Are Bouncing Back 

After a challenging 2021-22 upfront, buyers have higher hopes for this year's marketplace. But the 2022-23 upfront will be unlike any other, with at least one megamerger on the horizon, the continued erosion of linear ratings, and massive measurement upheaval as multiple media companies craft... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2022-05-11 14:10:39 UTC ]
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Free Comic Book Day is Back!

Free Comic Book Day is back!! Before you head to your local comic book store, check out our faves and remember to support your local. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-05-06 10:31:00 UTC ]
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Roku opens up more advertising data for marketing mix modeling to better compete with traditional TV

Roku has struck deals with four marketing tech providers — Analytic Partners, Ipsos MMA, IRI and Nielsen — to provide data breaking down creative types, dayparts and ZIP code-level impressions. The post Roku opens up more advertising data for marketing mix modeling to better compete with... Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2022-04-25 04:01:00 UTC ]
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Kentucky Hands Unprecedented Control of Public Libraries to Politicians

New legislation in Kentucky gives complete control of public library board appointments to county judge executives. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-04-19 13:08:55 UTC ]
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New Kentucky Law Hands Control of Libraries to Local Politicians

In a move that has alarmed library leaders, Kentucky bill SB 167—which came back from the dead last week with a veto override—will empower local politicians to “appoint whomever they want to library boards and block major library spending.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-04-18 04:00:00 UTC ]
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5 insights that will allow you to compete in the future of work

Management consultant and bestselling author Keith Ferrazzi insists that the most important lesson of all is that this is your opportunity to learn from your peers. Keith Ferrazzi is the founder and chairman of Ferrazzi Greenlight, a management consulting and coaching company that works to... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2022-04-16 05:00:03 UTC ]
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France’s Scientific Publishers Back an ‘Open Science’ Report

The primary French publishing association, SNE, hails a new report on open access and science. The post France’s Scientific Publishers Back an ‘Open Science’ Report appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-04-08 22:44:08 UTC ]
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The TLA Annual Conference is Back

The Texas Library Association Annual Conference is back in person this year, set for April 25–28 under a conference theme of “Recover, Rebalance, Reconnect.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-04-08 04:00:00 UTC ]
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