Oliver Benson

Do-it Programme Manager at YouthNet

Watford, United Kingdom

Current
Past
  • Editorial Manager at YouthNet
  • Assistant Producer, New York OB, US Election programme at BBC
  • Head of Editorial at Headliners
Education
  • University of Bradford
Connections
77 connections
Industry
Media Production
Websites

Oliver Benson’s Summary

I have a real passion for using media, especially new media, to build and develop communities. Primarily professionally I am a journalist/content producer; my desire is to create an exciting and interesting product for others to enjoy and engage with. But I also have a personal passion for delivering high quality youth work; something I have done for 14 years in a number of capacities. I am interesting in young people's rights and participation. I enjoy working with young people, particularly those from challenging backgrounds, to enable them to achieve more and get their stories and opinions into the wider agenda.

Oliver Benson’s Specialties:

I have a good understanding of the broad elements of creating websites; from design, to coding and most importantly content. I have a background in producing radio, and also understanding and experience in making TV. My other interest is developing good voluntary youth work practice. I have good knowledge of child protection practice and positive ways of working with young people both safely and to get the best out of them.


Oliver Benson’s Experience

  • Do-It Programme Manager

    YouthNet

    (Non-Profit; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

    July 2009Present (5 months)

    Responsible for developing the Do-it portfolio of services, including do-it.org.uk, syndication of feeds to other places and interaction with the national volunteering database. My role has a particular emphasis on developing Olympics legacy volunteering.

  • Editorial Manager

    YouthNet

    (Non-Profit; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

    April 2008July 2009 (1 year 4 months)

    YouthNet currently runs two major websites that provide information and advice for young people aged 16-24: TheSite.org and Do-It.org.uk. As Editorial Manager, I am ultimately responsible for the content of these sites, including an increasing amount of audio and video material.

  • Assistant Producer, New York OB, US Election programme

    BBC

    (Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; BBC; Broadcast Media industry)

    November 2008November 2008 (1 month)

    Having been part of the studio team at the UK Election in 2005, I was invited by the BBC to work on an outside brodcast based in Times Square, New York, as part of the coverage of US Presidential Election. My main role was supporting the bloggers who were contributing to the TV programme, but I also was involved in meeting and greeting guests and other tasks as necessary.

  • Head of Editorial

    Headliners

    (Non-Profit; 11-50 employees; Media Production industry)

    September 2006April 2008 (1 year 8 months)

    As Head of Editorial for this youth media charity, I was responsible for liaising with major media companies including the BBC, ITV, Sky and The Guardian, as well as producing media products for a variety of clients. I was also responsible for the development and delivery of the Headliners website, www.headliners.org

  • New Media Producer

    BBC English Regions

    (Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; Media Production industry)

    August 2003September 2006 (3 years 2 months)

    New Media Producer working at BBC English Regions New Media. Responsible for the development and strategic support of the BBC's local Where I Live websites across England. Tasks included training, implementing and supporting the Content Management System; training editors and producers in editorial development; running specific projects including the Blast Reporter Scheme and Junior Football, and helping support the Local TV pilot.
    In my final six weeks I was responsible for the new media elements of BBC1's The ONE Show when it was piloted. The success of the interactivity was one of the key reasons it was commissioned for a full run.

  • Journalist

    BBC Three Counties

    (Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; Media Production industry)

    May 2002August 2003 (1 year 4 months)

    New Media and radio journalist for local BBC station serving Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Primary responsibility was creating a mixture of news, sport and feature content for the local website; but also produced the Saturday morning show and other adhoc journalism roles as required.

  • Entertainment Journalist / Web Producer

    BBC Radio 1

    (Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; Media Production industry)

    November 2001May 2002 (7 months)

    Web producer for Newsbeat, the daily news and entertainment show on BBC Radio 1. Responsible for creating pages reflecting latest news and entertainment stories - including writing copy, sourcing and treating photos and adding audio/video where appropriate.
    Also undertook entertainment reporter duties as required - including covering film premieres, music events and interviewing a mixture of music and other celebrities for broadcast.

  • Journalist

    BBC Leeds

    (Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; Media Production industry)

    May 2001November 2001 (7 months)

    Responsible for producing the new local BBC website for Leeds. Tasks including writing news, sport and feature copy, creating audio and video content, designing graphics and undertaking HTML and design as needed.

  • Broadcast Assistant

    BBC Radio Leeds

    (Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; Media Production industry)

    June 1999May 2001 (2 years )

    Broadcast Assistant for local BBC radio station. Primary responsibilities were initially researching and booking guests for mid-morning magazine programme; and then I spent the last nine months producing a daily afternoon consumer programme, and a daily in-depth interview programme. I also helped on various tasks throughout the station; including driving desks and taking news circuits.


Oliver Benson’s Education

  • University of Bradford

    BSc(Hons) , Electonic Imaging and Media Communication , 19962000

    Activities and Societies:
    News Editor Student Magazine, Head of News Student Radio

Additional Information

Oliver Benson’s Websites:

Oliver Benson’s Interests:

youth leadership, youth media, media, community media

Oliver Benson’s Groups:

Citizenship Foundation (Trustee), NCVO Leadership 20:20 Core Group (2008)

  •    Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce
  •    Ypulse Networking For Youth Media & Marketing Professionals
  •    BBC alumni

Oliver Benson’s Honors:

- Courvoisier The Future 500, 2007. Top ten in Public Life category.
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA)


Oliver Benson’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

  • career opportunities
  • job inquiries
  • expertise requests
  • business deals
  • reference requests
  • getting back in touch

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