BBC to put together ‘formal’ roster

The BBC is putting together its first ‘formal’ design roster in an effort to save money.

All groups that have worked for the BBC in the past will be invited to pitch, says marketing manager brand communications Danella Weir.

Lambie-Nairn has long taken the lion’s share of identity work from the corporation. Interbrand embarked on a strategic review for BBC in April. Other groups include Kemistry, Deepend, 422 and The Engine Room.

‘No external groups, including Lambie-Nairn, will automatically make it on to the roster,’ says Weir.

The roster will sit alongside internal design resources such as BBC MediaArc, and both rostered consultancies and in-house teams will be considered for work when it comes up, she adds.

The roster aims to cut costs by introducing a tighter structure, says Weir. Each department has so far been responsible for organising its own design arrangements.

The roster will be set up by the BBC’s marketing and communications department.

Contracts will last up to three years and may be extended to a maximum of five.

It will be categorised by design specialism including TV identities, ‘major strategic projects’, smaller ‘tactical projects’, youth work and regional work in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

The deadline for submissions is 5 October. Application forms are available at, www.bbc.co.uk/info/ working/designroster.

Meanwhile, Lambie-Nairn is creating identities for BBC3 and BBC4, the digital channels the corporation hopes will receive Government approval this week. Lambie-Nairn won the work following a three-way credentials pitch, according to BBC controller, TV strategy and marketing Jane Scott.