I was contacted recently by Al Jazeera TV network’s creative team, who were seeking help in updating the delivery of creative products to their two main international channels.
Based at their HQ in Doha, Qatar, Al Jazeera’s creative services team provide a wide range of on-air newsroom graphics to support the Arabic and English TV Channels. Products include video-wall panoramas, animated maps, weather graphics, interactive walk-throughs, titles, tickers, montages, as well as pre-rendered 3D sequences, promotional videos, and virtual sets.
Al Jazeera TV Newsroom is serviced by a large creative team
Diagnosis is half the cure…
Recruited directly by the Head of Creative at Al Jazeera, I was tasked with a holistic evaluation of creative provision across both the Arabic and English channels.
Through long experience helping large-scale organisations improve their creative delivery, I have developed a unique approach and that really delivers results. After an initial diagnostic, I was able to identify the main production bottlenecks and also key opportunities for a more efficient and responsive creative service.
Commenting on my work, the Head of Creative services stated that I’d “accomplished more in 2 weeks than had been achieved in the previous six months by other contractors.”
Time for change…
Many of the section heads I spoke with I believe also found my approach useful in crystallising their key production challenges. I was able to show that some practices, dating from the very early days of the channel, needed to be looked at and overhauled if real and lasting change was to be made.
Making it happen…
On completion of my diagnostic, I then devised a roadmap for change at Al Jazeera. I set out the key milestones and detailed the necessary tasks to ensure a smooth implementation. In addition to plans for updates to creative workflow, tools and processes, I stipulated a series of change workshops and focus groups to ensure all stakeholders were fully engaged. Some of the proposed workshops were designed to overcome historical barriers to change, which typically develop over time in any large organisation.
I now look forward to helping Al Jazeera Creative Services deliver a successful improvement program over the next 12 months.
