It Came From BLE… with BBC Studios’ Andrew Carley

Andrew, it’s great to catch up. Can you talk us through a product – or partnership – that originated from a chat at BLE?
I’d say activity around BBC Playback. Last year’s show was where we started having those small conversations that BLE gives you the opportunity to have – to hear that feedback that reinforces we’ve got something here. So yes, that started there and a year on we’ve had Playback product launch at Selfridges. BLE is great for getting a sense check on things and Playback is a nice case study in that.

Great example. And what makes BLE an effective place to facilitate these types of conversations?
When you’re at a trade show, your mindset is slightly different – in a very positive way. You’re much more open-minded and much more creative. Maybe it’s because you’re surrounded by everyone, hearing things you wouldn’t have heard before… Maybe that makes you more receptive to it. There are also no outside influences – you’re in your box for three days, you can’t escape! It focuses you in that sense. I’m more receptive to ideas in that environment for sure.

If you could wave a magic wand, what product or partnership do you hope is kickstarted at BLE this year?
I’d love us to be able to come away from BLE and feel we’ve driven momentum on BBC Playback. We’re also building on BBC Earth as well, so we’d love to drive momentum on that. It’s about partly using BLE as a platform to build out these other properties and concept. We have so much opportunity that has remained largely untapped – excuse the pun!

Fantastic. And worth mentioning that BBC Studios is based at stand B181 at BLE this year. Thanks again Andrew – see you in October!