About Warwick iCast
What was Warwick iCast?
Warwick iCast was a two-year project (from 2006-2008) to develop an internet video service for the University of Warwick focussed on the promotion of research, science and business activity. This site is an archive for all of the iCast videos that were produced during the project.
Warwick iCast delivered a video bulletin of 10-15 minutes each week focussing on up to three features examining research, science and business activity. The bulletin was presented as a programme but with the ability to break apart the individual elements so that they can be repurposed for other uses.
Bulletins focussed on the key areas identified above with the following criteria guiding selection:
- Research outputs
- Insight and comment on current affairs
- Major events, awards or project launches
The project built upon initiatives like Research-TV and Warwick Podcasts and makes use of those programmes to build an extensive resource for the University.
Why Did the University develop this service?
The University noticed that the roll out of broadband across the UK, Europe and internationally was gathering pace as more homes, businesses, schools and other institutions were connected to high bandwidth internet services.
The expansion of the broadband network has encouraged the development of a range of new media channels delivering a rich and interactive communications environment. In parallel the cost of production and distribution of such content has fallen in the same period.
Organisations must quickly understand these new channels; identify how they can add new value to their communications strategies to enhance their ability to engage with key stakeholder groups.
The University has already begun to experiment with providing broadband services, such as online video for policy briefings and podcasting. These projects have demonstrated that broadband services have both a significant audience reach and can add demonstrable value to communications activity. These activities relate not just to the online environment but also enhance other channels, such as presentations and recruitment materials.
Project Team
Emily Little
Emily is the University's Creative Digital Communications Manager, planning and producing the vast range of audio/visual academic content for the university’s website, Warwick on iTunes U, Warwick on YouTube EDU and other external outlets. She has an extensive background in broadcasting and journalism and worked with the university and Ember Regis to produce Warwick iCast.
Email: E dot Little at warwick dot ac dot uk
Telephone: 02476 150413
Tom Abbott
Tom Abbott was the Warwick iCast Project Manager. Tom worked at the University of Warwick between 2002 and 2009, and in that time launched the Warwick Podcasts Programme which developed into an extensive resource of audio content by University academics.
Robin Powell
Robin Powell is a Director of Ember Regis. Robin has worked in newspapers, radio and television - including 14 years with ITV. As well as reporting from all over the world, he's made award winning documentaries.
For more information visit www.emberregis.com
James Willson
James is joint managing director of Ember Regis and one of the most highly regarded multi-skilled lighting cameramen in the Midlands.
He regularly produces films for a number of commercial organisations, including Pathfinder Pubs, and was for a time an official supplier to the Arrows Formula 1 team.
For more information visit www.emberregis.com
Mike Leahy
Mike graduated from Oxford Brookes University with BSc in Biology in 1994. He then studied for a doctorate in molecular biology / virology at the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, Oxford University where he continued to work as a post doctoral research scientist investigating the replication of influenza virus. After finding lab based research a little staid in the late nineties he began moonlighting as a ‘have a go TV scientist’ and left research altogether to present his own BBC3 series ‘LabRats’ in 2003. Since working in TV Mike has tried hard to make science more approachable and understandable and has contributed to several programmes about viruses and contagious diseases including the cutting edge BBC science series ‘Horizon’.