The BBC’s new controller of daily news programmes Gavin Allen started his new role on Monday with a message for the troops: “Be a dog with a bone.” James Harding’s new right-hand man – he oversees all the flagship bulletins on TV and radio – told staff in an email that he wasn’t “expecting you to work harder” and reassured them that a “failed idea isn’t a disaster – not having one in the first place is”. “So, an odd plea I realise,” he continued. “But be a dog with a bone: if you can see a way to improve what we do on air (be that a story or something else), then obsess about it and don’t give up until we’ve given it our best shot and – ideally – made it work.” Allen visited all the production teams promising it “will not be a first-flush-of-enthusiasm-never-to-be-seen-again tour of duty”. “I want us all to be clear that I want and expect us all to be even more passionate about what we do,” he added. “We should never be ‘rustling up’ or ‘knocking out’ a package, nor taking something to ‘fill a gap in the running order’. Do something because it intrigues or excites or frustrates or enrages you. If you ever want to try new treatments and to experiment with what we offer our audiences, then you’ll have my support … Thanks for all your efforts to date – whatever happens we’re all building on a hugely strong base.” Gavin, are you an 02 customer, by any chance?
