Wazoku, which styles itself as an ‘idea management firm’ has teamed up with the BBC’s in- house production department to develop a new ‘idea management’ initiative for the broadcaster. The initiative, BBC iCreate, is based on Wazuko’s crowd-sourcing technology and is intended to help the BBC enhance its idea generation pipeline.
Icreate it is hoped, will enable the BBC to harvest an stimulate more ‘cross genre’ ideas and thinking among its staff based in London and Salford along with bases in Bristol, Cardiff, Belfast and Glasgow.
Wazoku, which was established in London in 2011 and is backed by business angels, believes that its software will specifically enable ideas for TV to be put forward by staff at all levels – from trainees to execs – which can then be discussed and constructively commented on with the most discussed ideas then potentially moving into a more formal development process.
Other companies using Wazuko’s technology include the Metropolitan Police Service, the Department for Education (DfE), drinks conglomerate Diageo and publisher Faber & Faber.
Pat Younge, chief creative officer, BBC Production said: “Good programming ideas need development, feedback and discussion and employee engagement is a key part of how BBC Production operates. We believe we have a wealth of untapped creative talent which BBC iCreate, using Wazoku’s platform customised to our specific needs, can help liberate us to generate some fantastic TV shows.
Simon Hill, the managing director and founder of Wazoku added: “Many organisations talk about increasing innovation and creativity but few have embraced it as whole-heartedly as BBC Production.
“This is one of the largest idea management roll-outs in the UK media and for Wazoku to win such a major deal with BBC Production is testament both to the product and team we have developed but also to the growing maturity of idea management in the UK.”
