WATCH and LISTEN: Birmingham's media landscape and telling the city's story
Birmingham must stop talking itself down and agree on one confident story about the city, according to guests on the latest episode of Brumbassadors: Why Birmingham Means Business.
Episode three of the podcast - created by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce in partnership with STEAMhouse - features BBC Radio WM presenter Ed James and broadcaster and journalist Marverine Cole.
The episode, hosted by the GBCC’s head of media and communications Dan Harrison, is available to watch on YouTube and to listen to on all major podcast apps.
Ed and Marverine look at the strengths and weaknesses of Birmingham’s media landscape.
They also talk about how the city tells its story and what businesses can do to get noticed.
Ed, who 23 years on Heart radio before moving to the BBC, said key stakeholders in the city needed a “grown-up conversation” about the Birmingham’s story.
“In the world of branding, if you’re telling 100 stories, you’re not telling any story,” he added.
“If we want other people outside the city and region to see us in a different light, that job starts inside the city.”
Marverine is a former BBC Midlands and ITV Central reporter who has since worked for Sky News and Good Morning Britain.
She agreed that Birmingham was not represented fairly by the national media.
Marverine said: “I don’t think as a city we are known as a city that stands up and says, ‘We’re amazing’.
“When I’m in London, I’m constantly defending Birmingham. People who talk the city down haven’t set foot here. Come and see the beautiful things we have and experience the people.”
The pair were optimistic about the BBC’s planned move to Digbeth, Steven Knight’s investment in the city and new training partnerships with Birmingham City University, with Ed adding: “We want the talent from Brum to stay in Brum.”
They also discussed challenges facing local journalism, advice for building a media career in Birmingham and how businesses can make the most of the media.
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