TRUE VALUES IN MEDIA ORGANISATIONS
On Sunday evening my colleague at Doc Hearts, its founder Andy Mundy-Castle, picked up the #TV #BAFTA for best Specialist Factual programme on behalf of the team on 'White Nanny, Black Child'. This landmark for the company came in the wake of the #film winning the History category recently at the #RTS #Awards. It was an untold British story Andy had picked up on over five years ago and was single-minded (as ever) in bringing it to the screen.
His emotional acceptance speech was received rapturously by the many peers in the audience: "I come from a council estate in Brixton and this place has been a tough, tough challenge for me to consistently prevail in. This means a lot. I watched these shows as a teenager and I dreamt for many years about being on this stage. I'd just like to say to everyone watching at home who may come from the same background as me: Keep on #dreaming, keep on working, get into good trouble."
I first worked with Andy when I was at #Channel4 and I commissioned the first project of his own devising to be realised. It coincided with the culmination of a consultation prompted by then CEO Mark Thompson reappraising Channel 4's #values. The middle of three published values was "Make Trouble". (One reason why Channel 4 should be backing Andy and his Doc Hearts more substantially, the values are perfectly aligned.)
I am as sceptical as anyone about the publishing of corporate values but that particular stab at it at C4 was exemplary and I used the 3 values every day as a Commissioning Editor: Do it first. Make trouble. Inspire change. It captured the Channel's remit perfectly and added some spice with that middle one.
DocHearts similarly has powerful and laudable core values, all derived from its founder's mission and outlook, which were beautifully captured in his BAFTA speech. You can feel them when you walk into the office in Chelsea - committed people on a focused mission to tell untold stories from unheard voices.
It is very important to be clear about the values of your indie or organisation; to express them well, capturing the underlying spirit; and to use them as a touchstone every day.
#television #documentary #diversity #BAFTAawards #resilience #persistence #dreams
Digital Product Strategy | AI Marketing Podcast Expert | Market Research | Agile
3moCongrats Audible on receiving a well-deserved award! It is great to hear about young people receiving exposure to the power of podcasting. 💚