Global HD cable supplier opens a new office at MediaCityUK

Argosy, a leading international distributor of HD broadcast cables and studio infrastructure products, has become the latest company to open an office within The Pie Factory, MediaCityUK.

Established in 1984, Argosy has branches across the world and is renowned as a ‘one-stop- shop’ for end users and system integrators.

Specialising primarily within the broadcast and media industries, Argosy will stock and supply a range of HD infrastructure products including a collection of video, audio and power cables within their new warehouse facility at The Pie Factory.

Bob Clark, Sales Director at Argosy said, “We are happy to be opening a new facility at MediaCityUK, as it plays an increasingly important role within the growth of the UK’s television and broadcast industry. By supplying locally held stock at The Pie Factory, we will provide an enhanced service and support to existing and new customers throughout the region”.

Stephen Wild, Director of Real Estate for MediaCityUK “We are delighted to welcome Argosy to the ever growing community here at the PieFactory, MediaCityUK. They join a great blend of creative companies and we believe they will be a great addition to the thriving media hub we’re creating here on Salford Quays”.

Formerly a food production line, The Pie Factory was created in 2007 by MediaCityUK developers Peel Media and now accommodates three sound stages ranging from 3,000sq ft to 6,800 sq ft and a choice of office accommodation. It also incorporates a costume department, make-up rooms, dressing rooms and green rooms together with 24/7 security and parking.

Argosy join twenty-five other media-related companies at the now fully occupied Pie Factory.

Nineteen-year-old Brad Kavanagh, from Whitehaven, is due to appear on the small screen in February in House of Anubis, which airs with an hour-long special on Friday 25^th February at 5pm and then every weekday from Monday 28^th February at 5pm throughout March.

 The former St Benedict’s RC High School pupil plays thoughtful, gentle, intelligent boy-next-door Fabian in the show, which is set in a spooky traditional English boarding school, Anubis House. Brad becomes the closest ally of lead character Nina Martin (Nathalie Ramos) as the pair try to understand the spooky goings on at the school, rumoured to be haunted.

 Brad first found his passion for performing and acting at the age of six when he began singing lessons and joined a local children’s theatre group.

 Brad has worked extensively in children’s TV across the UK and worldwide. He was also chosen from thousands of hopefuls to play Billy Elliot’s best friend, Michael, in the original cast of the popular West End production and featured on the original cast recording of the show. 

Like the character of Fabian, Brad has a natural thirst for knowledge.  He is self-taught on the drums, piano, guitar and bass and loves to write and record his own songs in his spare time.

 Brad recently travelled to New York to take part in a series of press conferences for House of Anubis and was faced with a 90-ft high poster of himself in the centre of Times Square.

 “The whole thing has been totally unreal, but I’m absolutely loving it! I’ve always had a passion for performing but never thought I would be starring in a brand new TV show,” Brad enthused.

 “The show has gone down a treat in America and Italy, plus it will also air in Australia; it’s amazing. Who’d have thought a teenager from Cumbria would be starring on the TV all over the world?!

 “My family have been great and I wouldn’t be where I am now without them – I can’t wait for them to see the show.”

 Brad got the audition for House of Anubis through Manchester-based casting agency, Red Door Management who signed him up in 2004. He is managed personally by Tracey Bell, who owns the business and has represented Brad since day one.

 “I met Brad seven years ago and knew there was something special about him – just look at him now! He’s such a star and is an absolute delight to work with. He’s so down to earth and so passionate about performing, I know he’ll go far,” Tracey said.

 “I’m keen to work in conjunction with an international agent to help raise Brad’s profile in America and have already had quite a few calls from agents to the stars who saw him on House of Anubis.”

 Combining mystery, comedy and drama, House of Anubis is a brand new serial from Nickelodeon, launching exclusively on the channel with an hour-long special on Friday 25^th February at 5pm. The show will then screen a new episode each weeknight at 5pm for five weeks.

 Red Door and sister company, Scream Management, which are based at The Pie Factory, MediaCityUK, are on the lookout for new talent. To find out more please visit www.the-reddoor.co.uk or call 0161 425 6495.

Kerina Lodge, 25, and Jennifer Anyon, 26, have joined Scream Management as casting agents and will be based at the agency’s North West HQ at the Pie Factory, MediaCityUK.

Both Kerina and Jennifer have a background in television, having between them worked on various dramas such as Coronation Street, Cold Blood, Waterloo road and Blue Murder.

Kerina, who is originally from Birmingham, said “I’m thrilled to have joined the team at Scream Management. The agency has forged impressive links with the entertainment industry over the years and has built up an enviable list of contacts.

Jennifer, from the Fylde Coast, a former runner and assistant director added, “I am delighted to be working in casting for a company with such a strong base in the North West. I’m hanging up the waterproofs and enjoying the warmth of the office!”

Tracey Bell, managing director at Scream Management, concluded: “This is a step in the right direction for Scream’s expansion. As MediaCityUK grows, so do the opportunities for businesses like ours that are a part of it. I’m excited to take advantage of the site’s promise to become a creative hub and we will utilise our position to really show off the talent we have right here in the North West.”

The Pie Factory is home to 26 creative businesses. Formerly a food production line, The Pie Factory now accommodates three sound stages ranging from 3,000sq ft to 6,800 sq ft and a choice of office accommodation. It also incorporates a costume department, make-up rooms, dressing rooms and green rooms together with 24/7 security and parking.

One of our tenants provided extras on Saturday for the period docu/drama Morecambe and Wise, executive produced and starring Victoria Wood & also starring Vic Reeves. Rochelle from Scream Management says: “They had a great day playing Victoria and Vic’s neighbours which was filmed at the Pie Factory. We have also had 10 of our kids featured in the production. See below picture of Rowan-Hartley Fish and Derek Winward in 50s costume!”

Morecombe and Wise has been filming in our Salford soundstage and finishes production today.

Global lighting brand takes space at MediaCityUK

International lighting facilities leader Panalux, have opened an office within The Pie Factory at MediaCityUK on Salford Quays.

Panalux, who have a network of offices across the world including the Czech Republic, South Africa and Australia, deliver the full spectrum in provision of lighting facilities to suit the needs of film and television productions.

Andy Waters, Head of Studios, Peel Media, said: “We are thrilled that Panalux have decided to join us here at The Pie Factory. They have built an enviable reputation on a global scale and are a name instantly recognised by the film and TV community. We hope they will benefit from being next to our anchor tenant the BBC and from being at the foundation of MediaCityUK”.

Steve Smith, Managing Director, Panalux Worldwide said “This new Panalux office helps to underline our ongoing commitment to the support of regional production in the United Kingdom. In particular, our presence at The Pie Factory at MediaCityUK, which augments our existing Manchester facility, allows us to provide an enhanced service to an area playing an increasingly important role within the UK film and television industry”.
Formerly a food production line, The Pie Factory now accommodates three sound stages ranging from 3,000sq ft to 6,800 sq ft and a choice of office accommodation. It also incorporates a costume department, make-up rooms, dressing rooms and green rooms together with 24/7 security and parking.

Extra office accommodation was recently created within The Pie Factory to cope with the growing demand for space. To date there are 25 businesses located in The Pie Factory including Mammoth Graphics, Hive, Web Potential, TSL, Toasted Productions, Gallowglass, MK-V, Axon Birch and Purple Crew.

Last week Peel Media announced that Satellite Information Services (SIS) would relocate its London operation to MediaCityUK at Salford Quays taking a minimum of 25,000 sq ft in commercial offices located above the new studio facilities at the heart of MediaCityUK.

SIS have had a base at The Pie Factory since 2007.

Made in Manchester has clinched its biggest deal to date with BBC Radio 2 after being commissioned to make five hours of programmes in the network’s forthcoming flagship Comedy Season.

The season, which kicks off early next week, will see documentaries on the Carry On’s, Tommy Cooper, Bob Monkhouse and Peter Sellers.

Carry On Forever presented by Leslie Phillips will transmit over two nights next Monday and Tuesday from 10-11pm. 86 year old Phillips, who starred in three of the early films, celebrates the enduring appeal of one of the most successful film canon’s in British movie history. There’s classic clips, new interviews with surviving cast members and archive interviews with the likes of Kenneth Williams, Sid James, Charles Hawtrey and Joan Sims.

“It was in Carry On Nurse where Leslie Phillips first introduced us to his catchphrases ‘oh hello’ and ‘ding dong’. We are delighted to have this legend of British comedy hosting this special series,” says Executive Producer Ashley Byrne.

Made in Manchester also turns its attention to Tommy Cooper with an affectionate hour long documentary presented by comedian Sean Lock. Tommy Cooper: Just Like This! airs on BBC Radio 2 at 10pm next Wednesday 21^st July.

Meanwhile on Monday, 26^th July, Alexander Armstrong will celebrate the life and work of Peter Sellers. Being Here: The Peter Sellers Story comes 30 years after the death of the British comedy actor who had a chameleon-like ability for taking on different personas. The hour long doc will again air between 10pm and 11pm.

And then on Tuesday 27^th July, Barry Cryer will present a moving tribute to his friend Bob Monkhouse. All Round Bob Monkhouse also airs between 10 and 11 in the evening.

Ashley Byrne says: “Made in Manchester is delighted to have been commissioned to make these special documentaries and to be able to help the Radio 2 audience remember some of Britain’s biggest comedy icons. We have a strong track record in this field having already made programmes for the network on Laurel and Hardy, Les Dawson, Dick Emery and Benny Hill.

He added:: “We hope that the Comedy Season will become a regular feature on the network.”

The Comedy Greats series is produced by Phil Collinge and Andrew Edwards and is Executive Produced by Ashley Byrne. It was ordered by Radio 2 controller Bob Shennan.

• For further information about the programme or Made in Manchester, please contact Ashley Byrne on 07702 155397 or go to www.madeinmanchester.tv

Mammoth Graphics have opened an office within The Pie Factory, MediaCityUK; their first base outside London.

Established just over ten years ago, Mammoth (who have an office in Ealing Studios in London) design and produce graphics for a host of broadcasters and production companies across a diverse range of sectors and genres.

Phil Long, Managing Director, Mammoth Graphics. “It’s exciting times for Mammoth Graphics and we are really pleased to be moving into The Pie Factory. We know it’s the ideal base from which to expand our business. By sharing a creative environment with other likeminded businesses, we feel that we can keep delivering to our current clients as well as building new relationships for the future.”

Sinead Greenaway, CEO of Peel Media said: “We’ve built a great close knit community at The Pie Factory and are very excited that Mammoth Graphics will become part of it.  We hope that their business will benefit from being located here at MediaCityUK”.

Formerly a food production line, The Pie Factory now accommodates three sound stages ranging from 3,000sq ft to 6,800 sq ft and a choice of office accommodation. It also incorporates a costume department, make-up rooms, dressing rooms and green rooms together with 24/7 security and parking.

Extra office accommodation was recently created within The Pie Factory to cope with the growing demand for space. To date there are 25 businesses located in The Pie Factory including Hive, Web Potential, TSL, Toasted Productions, Gallowglass, MK-V, Axon Birch and Purple Crew.

One of our tenants Scream Management is on the lookout for new young talent, aged 5-20 years.

To apply register your child online at: www.screammanagement.com

Scream’s list of credits include: Hollyoaks (C4), Doctors (BBC), The Accused (ITV), Emmerdale (ITV) and Waterloo Road (BBC)

The Pie Factory and MediaCityUK sponsor the under-17s Swinton football club and we’re glad to hear they’ve made it into the semi-finals. Well done!

Visit their website here

Top radio ‘indie’ & PR company moves to The Pie Factory MediaCityUK

Made in Manchester have re-located from Manchester city centre to MediaCityUK becoming the first radio production company and first PR/marketing agency to move to the Peel Media development at Salford Quays.

Having built a name for producing award-winning radio, television and new media content across a wide range of sectors and genres, the company (established in May 2005 by world swimming champion, James Hickman, and broadcaster and journalist Ashley Byrne) also operate a successful PR and marketing division.

Sinead Greenaway, CEO of Peel Media said: “We have a diverse mix of companies in The Pie Factory and are very excited that Made in Manchester have decided to make their home here. They have built an enviable reputation in the radio sector and we hope they will benefit from being next to our anchor tenant the BBC and becoming part of the already bustling community at the heart of MediaCityUK”.

Made in Manchester Creative Director Ashley Byrne said: “We have become well known for leading the way in both areas of our business and we are delighted to be the first UK radio independent production company and PR/Marketing agency to make our home at MediaCityUK.”

Formerly a food production line, The Pie Factory now accommodates three sound stages ranging from 3,000sq ft to 6,800 sq ft and a choice of office accommodation. It also incorporates a costume department, make-up rooms, dressing rooms and green rooms together with 24/7 security and parking.

Extra office accommodation was recently created within The Pie Factory to cope with the growing demand for space. To date there are 25 businesses located in The Pie Factory including Hive, Web Potential, TSL, Toasted Productions, Gallowglass, MK-V, Axon Birch and Purple Crew.