BBC ties with TikTok on talent lab

The BBC has confirmed it is launching BBC Creator Lab, a talent initiative focused on “highlighting and celebrating” young social and digital talent across the UK.

Announced at the Edinburgh TV Festival, the BBC will be collaborating with TikTok for the first year of Creator Lab on the new scheme which aims to give 100 social and digital creators, who have an interest in pursuing a career in television, the opportunity to take part in a development programme where the BBC will host in-person sessions and provide attendees with tools to boost their social presence and help build their next step in their media careers, alongside input from experts and insights from TikTok.

The 2-day development programme will be run across the UK in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and will provide opportunities for creators to showcase their skills whilst working on a BBC brief. Attendees will also meet on-screen talent and Commissioning Editors across the genres of Daytime, Children’s, Sport, Unscripted and Arts. The successful applicants will also learn about best practice across social media and TV and have the opportunity to collaborate with other social creators.

Fiona Campbell, Controller Youth Audience (BBC iPlayer & BBC Three) says: “The BBC is committed to developing new talent and voices across the whole of the UK and the Creator Lab Scheme promises to offer a unique opportunity for Content Creators to enhance their skillset whilst potentially having the opportunity to showcase their creativity to audiences across the BBC and iPlayer.”

James Stafford, General Manager, Operations & Marketing, TikTok UK & Nordics says: “We are thrilled to partner with the BBC on the Creator Lab initiative. Over the past 5 years on TikTok, we have seen a whole new generation of creatives thrive, from comedians and performers to editors and film-makers. We believe this creativity should be nurtured, which is why we’re excited to be partnering with the BBC to enable digital talent from all corners of the UK, to build the skills and expertise to turn this passion into a career”.