SPAA has confirmed that Wayne Garvie, Director of Content & Production at BBC Worldwide will be a key international speaker at the annual Conference being held 13 to 16 November at the Sheraton Mirage Resort on Queensland’s Gold Coast. He will speak at the ‘State of Play’ session on Thursday, 16 November at 10:30am.
Garvie joined BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm and wholly owned subsidiary of the British broadcaster, in January 2006 after a highly successful four years as the Head of the BBC’s Entertainment Group, where he was responsible for the development of hit shows such as Strictly Come Dancing (now in 41 countries as Dancing With The Stars) and Honey, We’re Killing the Kids. He also maintained the popularity of long-established favourites such as, The Weakest Link and Mastermind. Prior to joining the BBC, Garvie was with Granada Television, Britain’s largest independent television franchise, rising to the position of Director of Broadcasting in 1996.
In his current role Garvie is responsible for developing new content, managing its investment relationships with BBC Production and the independent production community, and driving the development of BBC Worldwide’s international production and format business.
He led BBC Worldwide’s move into the Australian production landscape by taking a 25% investment in The Freehand Group early in 2007. New opportunities in format extension will include scripted shows where local versions are made for Australian audiences.
BBC Worldwide has recently identified Australia as a priority territory across all six of its core businesses. Content & Production, Global TV Sales, Digital Medial, Global Channels, Home Entertainment and Magazines. The expansion of its activities here reflects a glob al strategy to increase revenue from outside the UK to around two-thirds by 2012.
SPAA Conference, 13 – 16 November 2007
Sheraton Mirage Resort, Gold Coast, Queensland
www.spaa.org.au/conference
[release from Fran Lanigan]