Country: Lebanon
Closing date: 05 May 2016
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Introduction
BBC Media Action is running an 18-month project in response to the current crisis in Syria.
The project’s objective is to produce a thrice-weekly drama and a weekly discussion programme. Broadcasted on BBC Arabic, it aims to create a sense of shared human experience and unity across different ethnic, geographical and religious communities and contribute to a strengthened, more inclusive civic identity for Syrians.
BBC Media Action is looking for an advertising agency to partner with throughout the project, to strengthen the radio program’s presence on traditional and non-traditional media, increase the audience listenership inside and outside Syria and build a solid fan base along with a unique visual identity for the radio drama.
Background Information
BBC Media Action
BBC Media Action is the development charity of the BBC. Based in London and with country offices in various regions, BBC Media Action develops and implements donor funded projects to help connect, inform and empower people in times of wars, conflicts, natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies.
BBC Media Action have been working on the Syrian crisis for over 4 years now, providing refugees in Lebanon with vital information on services and assistance available for them through films, and by working in partnerships with International and local NGOs. BBC Media Action’s work also consisted of supporting and building capacities of Syrian journalists in the region through online and face to face trainings and recently, producing a radio drama for Syrians inside Syria.
The Radio Drama project
This project is funded by the European Union. BBC Media Action in collaboration with Batoota Films Productions, a Lebanese production company, and international experts with wide knowledge on radio drama production will produce a radio drama series for Syrian audiences which will air on BBC Arabic radio.
The series
The radio drama series is written by a team of Syrian writers residing inside and outside Syria.
The drama will air 3 times a week on BBC Arabic Radio (medium wave) which reaches all of Syria and neighbouring countries. It will also be hosted on the BBC Arabic radio webpage. Once a week, an omnibus version (45 minutes) will air. Over the year it is broadcasting, (July 2016 to July 2017), we aim to have produced 150 drama episodes of approximately 15 minutes in length.
About
The drama will cover some of the complex social, economic and political issues facing Syrians today. The series is character-driven and set in a particular imaginary location somewhere inside Syria. The location is an important element of the series as it hosts characters from various backgrounds and age groups each having different problems, dreams, plans and aspirations. It is a hub for action and on-going dramatic events preserving a constant level of suspense that will tie the listener to the series.
The series will take the form of a soap opera. It will aim at entertaining and engaging with audiences in Syria, and among the Syrian diaspora, reflecting their daily lives in such a way that will allow them to relate to it and its characters. It will deal with everyday issues, and how a number of recurring characters, developed over many episodes, respond to those issues. These issues will include: displacement of Syrians, the breaking-up of families, radicalisation in the name of religion, the effect of the conflict on the education system and sexual violence.
The choice of Drama
Drama is an approach BBC Media Action has used previously in a number of countries and research has demonstrated its effectiveness in bringing people from different communities and backgrounds together. It is a tried and tested vehicle for raising awareness and increasing understanding of issues that may be too sensitive and controversial to tackle through factual genres. It is also highly effective for exploring complex issues in ways which people can relate to, placing abstract concepts on familiar ground and helping audiences to understand them through the prism of everyday experience.
The discussion program
Once a week after the omnibus, a 27 minute discussion programme will also be produced. The key issues raised in the drama will be dealt with in the discussion programmes at the end of every week. Fifty discussion programmes will be produced in collaboration with BBC Arabic and presented by one of its presenters. Experts on the particular issue under discussion will be invited to take part – they will normally be prominent figures from diverse backgrounds and responsibilities. These might include political leaders, civil society activists, religious figures, representatives of the private sector, service providers, journalists, intellectuals and academics – who will either be in the studio or take part by phone or Skype. Comments will also be sought from listeners, and other members of the public. The discussion will provide a mechanism for participation and debate, reinforcing key themes and informing audiences of concrete actions that can be taken.
The discussion program will be recorded locally and internationally with contributors in diaspora.
The audience
The drama is a family-based programme and expected to reach a wider audience. It will target all age groups – with a special focus on young men between the ages of 18 to 35 years. The drama will feature a range of family members and aims to be representative of all age groups across Syria.
Schedules and timeline
Production of Ep 1 to 12
May 9th: Story meeting
May 23rd: 1st draft scripts
June 6th: 2nd draft
June 20th: Recording
July 4: Delivery
July 18: Broadcast of Ep, 1, 2, 3
July 25: Broadcast of Ep 2, 3, 4
August 1: Broadcast of Ep 7,8,9
Production of Ep 13 to 24
June 6: Story meeting
June 13: Breakdowns of eps
June 20: First draft delivered
July 4: Second draft delivered
July 11: Production planning
July 18th: Recording
Aug 1: Delivery
Aug 8: Approval
Aug 8: Broadcast of 10, 11, 12
August 15: Broadcast of 13, 14, 15
August: 22: broadcast of 16, 17, 18
And so on.
Scope of work and outcome
BBC Media Action looking for an advertising agency to
- Create a unique visual identity for the radio drama
- Create a branding strategy for the radio drama
- Promote the launch of the radio drama online and offline
- Create an online strategy for the drama that will be implemented by BBC Media Action staff throughout the year that the programme is aired (July 2016 to July 2017)
- promote the radio drama inside Syria on various media platforms such as TV, radio, print and online (focusing mostly online due to target and budget)
- Promote the radio drama in Lebanon (neighbouring countries) on various media platforms
- Build a solid online fan base for the radio drama
- Consult on the promotion of the launch event and related promotional material
Agencies are requested to submit a proposal that includes timeline, budget breakdown, level of involvement in implementing the promotion campaign, and where applicable, BBC Media Action’s duties in implementation.
BBC Media Action is open to any request of information related to the radio drama that will serve to improving the proposal. Skype phone calls can be arranged on demand.
Deadline for submission is May 5th.
For any inquiry please email:
Julie.boutros@bbc.co.uk
How to apply:
Please submit your proposals to:
Julie.boutros@bbc.co.uk