20 RTS LANDS MBA AND MBE
Theresa Wise, CEO of the RTS, explains how the organisation is addressing the industry’s skills gap and reveals details of its new mini-MBA, writes Monica Heck
The big news for the Royal Television Society (RTS) at IBC2024 is the launch of a brand new mini-MBA in television and streaming media, a self-paced course that involves between 70 and 80 hours of learning and delivers a continuous professional development (CPD) accreditation. “We sense there is quite a big skills gap in the area of understanding the business context and language of our industry,” says Theresa Wise MBE, CEO of the RTS. “Parts of it are quite complex, and this MBA aims to demystify it for learners.”
Prior to the launch of the MBA, the RTS did a lot of research to fi gure out what topics were of importance, circling back with its industry advisory committee in the process of developing it. “We have some very good research-based feedback on the need for this new qualifi cation, and a lot of work went into it,” says Wise.
“Our aim is to keep relevant and keep supporting our great creative television and streaming industries”
The mini-MBA comes as a series of modules over four different streams. Stream one examines the business context of the industry through a number of areas such as ecosystems, business models, key players, the regulatory and policy environment, public service and media history. “In this stream, we will also focus on the independent production sector, audience insights and the nature of sports on TV, which is a critical genre, along with an international overview,” she explains. “Stream two is all about the business context of the making of a show: what defi nes certain genres and formats, how a production is funded, the development and commissioning processes,” adds Wise.
“How to manage and account for a
production is a big part of this stream, along with the nature of the distribution and exploitation of the intellectual property created during that programme-making process.” Stream three focuses on supporting business functions such as fi nance and accounting, rights and intellectual property, business affairs and legal, marketing and communications, HR and talent management, while the fi nal stream focuses on future outlooks. This includes
Theresa Wise was awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting in the 2024 New Year Honours List
business case strategy building, mergers and acquisitions, and technology such as AI and the metaverse and its infl uence on the future of TV.
LEADING FROM THE FRONT “There will also be modules focusing on leadership and personal development,” adds Wise. “This includes a look at great leadership practices, styles of leadership, one’s own personal development and even a section called the Director’s Cut, which contains great resources from the wider RTS, including magazine articles, masterclasses, industry perspectives and additional resources such as contributions from some amazing industry leaders and practitioners.” 2024 has been a big year for Wise personally, as a newly appointed MBE. “I’m so honoured to be recognised, overwhelmed and delighted,” she says. “A large part of it has been our work with young talent, looking to widen participation in the industry and our bursary schemes that celebrate their 10th anniversary this summer – so it’s not just a personal award, it’s my team and the RTS being
recognised. Our aim is to keep relevant and keep supporting our great creative television and streaming industries.” At this year’s show, Wise expects discussions
around the challenges and opportunities around AI, and some excitement around sports. “It’s been an Olympics year and the genre has been doing incredibly well,” she adds. “We will hear about gamifying sports and esports, alongside new tech developments for the consumer experience.”
The impact of industry volatility on both
freelancers and staffers in terms of job losses is also on Wise’s radar. “There is no automatic answer, but we want to play a role through our national, regional and local centres in providing support to freelancers through the peaks and troughs of the demand and supply of this industry,” she concludes.
Theresa Wise is CEO of the RTS, one of IBC’s owners.
Visit the RTS throughout the show at the Owner Pavilion in Hall 8.
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