UK startup Wazoku works with BBC Production in major idea management roll-out

BBC Production is using Wazoku’s software as the basis of BBC iCreate, a major new online approach to developing potential ideas for future TV shows.

Wazoku’s software captures staff ideas for TV shows from BBC Production employees at all levels, from trainees and business support staff to senior creatives and HR. Other employees then comment on the suggestions in a bid to move the idea forward. The most talked about ideas are then moved into a more formal development process.

Powered by Wazoku’s crowd-sourcing technology, BBC iCreate enables cross-genre thinking and allows staff across all its bases – London, Bristol, Salford, Cardiff, Belfast and Glasgow – to collaborate creatively.

Pat Younge, Chief Creative Officer, BBC Production says: “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.”

iCreate uses Wazoku’s Idea Spotlight technology, a cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) that helps organisations such as the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), Diageo, Faber & Faber and the Department for Education (DfE) to capture, discuss and develop the best ideas. iCreate is based on Wazoku’s Enterprise product and has been customised and branded to suit the BBC’s exact requirements.

“Many organisations talk about increasing innovation and creativity but few have embraced it as whole-heartedly as BBC Production,” said Simon Hill, MD and Founder of Wazoku. “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.”

Wazoku launched in 2011, was recently cited as the only UK firm in the recent Gartner report, ‘Who’s Who In Innovation Management Technology’ and already works with more than 100 organisations in more than 20 countries. Wazoku was appointed by the BBC after an open and competitive tender process.