MediaCity launches Hot House to support creatives in the North

MediaCity, the home of future media, has launched a new social hub as new research reveals early career starters in the creative industries feel they missed out on valuable mentoring opportunities.

The research commissioned by MediaCity reveals just under four in five (79 per cent) of young professionals in the creative and media industries in the North feel they would have progressed quicker if they had more mentoring and peer-to-peer opportunities. The number is even higher amongst female respondents, at a staggering 85 per cent.

The survey of 500 young professionals also found over seven in 10 people (72 per cent) believe they would benefit from having access to an easily accessible creative hub, which would open-up opportunities to collaborate and mix with like-minded peers.

In response to the findings, MediaCity – home to more than 250 creative, tech and media businesses, has revealed a brand new space designed to nurture collaboration and mentorship in the industry: Hot House.

Aligned to its vision where talent turns ideas into tomorrow’s technologies, MediaCity’s Hot House is offering an exciting calendar of free-to-attend talks and mentorship events where young career starters as well as those established working within the creative, tech and digital sectors can share skills, knowledge and ideas.

Hosted by well-known media faces, the Hot Topics event series will be free and take place each month and explore a variety of topics and themes in an informal and social setting to encourage connections to be made.

Moreover, the research revealed that 91 per cent of young professionals list location and facilities in their top two priorities when looking for a new role, with almost half (46 per cent) putting it on top. They also value a sense of community and access to industry mentors above all, with seven in 10 (69 per cent) saying they would turn down a higher salary in London, if it meant only working from home.

With high-speed connectivity, a no booking policy, daily playlists curated by BBC Radio 6’ Ailsa Mclaggan, and food and drink offering from Kargo Go from the Kargo.Mkt/Central Bay team, Hot House offers both existing tenants and creatives from across Salford and Manchester a welcoming and energising space to visit and meet collaborators of the future. Furthermore, Hot House is set to be a canvas for local talent and a space for socialising outside of work too – with regular art installations and monthly socials on the last Thursday of the month.

Emily Winders, who graduated three years ago and works within the MediaCity Place Team has been instrumental in delivering the Hot House concept and will curate its events programme. She said: “By creating an accessible space for the creative community to meet, make connections and collaborate it will support not only those starting out but also those more established in their careers. We look forward to welcoming our occupiers as well as creatives from across the city.”

Stephen Wild, Managing Director at MediaCity added: “As the home of content creation and future media in the North, ensuring there’s a talent pipeline and maximising opportunities for our creative, digital and tech community is at the heart of what we do. It’s important we hold on to talent, by creating opportunities and a place where they want to be for the long term.”

Hot House is located in the big glass building overlooking the Piazza, next door to the dock10 studios and the BBC.