AusBiotech is calling for expressions of interest from Australian therapeutic and medtech member companies that are interested in featuring in a new biotech BBC series. This web-series works to challenge viewers’ perceptions and bring more understanding to biotech, showcasing how it is bringing solutions to global challenges.
This partnership is part of a global communications programme being developed through the International Council of Biotechnology Associations (ICBA).
Biotech plays a central role in solving complex problems, improving the health of humankind and the planet, and this series seeks to effectively communicate the industry’s contributions and bring the solutions to screen through a series of short videos.
The series will showcase passionate leaders across the globe who are driving inventions and technologies forward, as well as the parts of society and industry who are benefiting from the innovative science being developed.
In order to have real impact with viewers, the series will focus on the process of how a great idea becomes a global success, thereby ensuring the process is not taken for granted.
Life sciences is complex, and the series will address the current lack of understanding that could be detrimental to the very solutions we may rely upon in the future.
To submit your expression of interest, AusBiotech members are asked to respond to these two questions:
- How could garnering greater private and public support for biotechnology help great ideas become global success stories that could improve our lives and the health of the planet?
- What specific projects has your organisation carried out, or plan to carry out, that illustrates the time risk and investment required to solve the world’s challenges? Details of individuals, narrative and locations are appreciated.
It is intended that filming will occur late-2020, with the series released in 2021. The exact timing will depend on the current travel restrictions.
Selected organisations may be asked to contribute to the production costs of their mini documentary; this contribution will be determined by a number of variables, such as filming locations, scope of production and timelines. BBC Global News is committed to ensuring a diversity of voices throughout this project and are mindful of the current economic environment. They will work with shortlisted companies and ensure that small companies are not excluded. BBC Global News will dedicate internal resources to the research, development, promotion and distribution of the series.
BBC StoryWorks, the creative arm of BBC Global News, will engage audiences globally by driving traffic to the series from their 146 million unique monthly browsers on BBC.com, as well as develop a wider promoted digital and social campaign targeting key groups.
AusBiotech is a member of ICBA, a coalition of not-for-profit, national biotechnology trade associations formed to promote public understanding of, and to advocate for, public policies that support the growth of the innovative biotechnology industries. ICBA represents the global voice of the industry in international fora, with the goal of promoting continued innovation in the human health, agriculture, and industrial and environmental sectors.
Please return questions and expressions of interest to Karen Parr, Director, Communications by Friday 5 June 2020.