Shine unveils R&D label with UK university

Shine Group is launching a development production label as part of a “unique” agreement with Sunderland University in the north of England.

Shine North R&D will be part of the Shine North and operate out of Sunderland University’s campus building Enterprise Place.

It has employed three graduates from Sunderland’s Media Production undergraduate course, who will work on developing concepts and sizzle reels for TV and digital markets for an initial six-month pilot phase.

They will report to Manchester-based Shine North’s managing director Alex Connock, who said: “We loved the ambition and skills that we saw in a drama called 403 Forbidden, and wanted to work with these guys.  We’ve also been looking for an innovative way to expand our north-focused creative footprint to talent and locations in the north east.

“We knew from lecturing visits that Sunderland had the facilities and will to partner with companies to help give their talented graduates a start, so this project made sense.”

Shine North creates factual and factual entertainment programming nsuch as BBC Two’s Idris Elba: King of Speed, E4’s Geeks and Rafa Nadal: Game of Champions, which is set for broadcast in more than 70 territories.

The UK’s broadcasters and producers have in recent years been attempting to diversify the industry away from its traditional home in London, with the BBC moving operations to MediaCityUK in Salford representing the biggest example.