Just returned from her trip to BBC World News Room in London, Deepika Nikhilender, winner of the SMA 2006 Media Person of the Year and Managing Partner, MindShare Singapore, shares her experience in the home o' a cuppa tea, bangers and mash and the Union Jack.
By: Deepika Nikhilender
Six months from the day I won the award for Media Person of the year 2006, I realized the other part of the award. Sponsored by BBC World Asia Pacific this was a trip to London and a visit to their studios.
Not really sure what to expect I set off last month to London . Excited because I was going back to a city I love!
Despite a long 14 hour journey where I'd watched 5 movies on board, I found myself pleasantly fresh when engulfed by the crisp weather stepping out of Heathrow! Even more so, when welcomed by a sleek Mercedes limousine and a friendly driver being whisked off to one of the best hotels in the heart of London . On the way I was thinking…Hmmm… Boy! I love it already!
The next day began in style being picked up at the hotel at 10am to head to the impressive Television Headquarters of BBC at White City . Received by a gentleman named Amit at the reception, from then on till end of the day I had an absolutely amazing experience.
The first hour was spent doing a tour of the property – including the buzzing cafeteria (sprinkled with famous TV personalities chatting over coffee), the studios for BBC World news, BBC London; news feed rooms and sets of major programmes. Throughout this, I was only amazed at how an organization of such scale and stature functioned so seamlessly. I would never have imagined until now, how many people, resources, facilities and infrastructure are needed to make this world-renowned brand what it is today. Learning and absorbing the rich heritage and mission of the massive corporation of BBC alongside only made me realize how little I knew about the world's largest broadcaster.
The best experience was that of watching World News being broadcast live. And I could not help being awed meeting some famous personalities whilst doing so. Rita Payne (BBC World's Asia Editor), presenters George Alagiah, Mishal Hussein amongst them.
The most enriching experience for me was watching the people at the studios pulling together a live news programme seamlessly coordinating between the presenters, overseas correspondents and live news feeds – all in one studio. I would never have known what it took to pull together what I watched from my couch at home!
After an enjoyable lunch, I was taken to watch a recording of one of my favourite programmes on the BBC – HARDtalk. The show was being presented by Stephen Sackur – a highly acclaimed presenter known for having grilled several famous personalities. Watching him work on a war correspondent and handle the discussion with amazing ease and skill only made me respect his talent more.
Overall, an amazing day of learning and immersion into the making of an incredible broadcasting output from an inspiring organization. And what made it even more enjoyable are the hospitality, warmth and energy I saw in the people who made my day so enlightening.
Once settled into the flight back home, I sat back and sighed with satisfaction and bliss! This trip – I will remember for life! Thank you 4As! Thank you BBC World!
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