Tuesday 31 March 2009

Sam Mason Curriculum Vitae


SAM MASON



Profile


Sam Mason has been a leading figure in West country
broadcasting for more than two decades. She has presented
award-winning, vastly successful, news, entertainment and
current affairs programmes on both television and radio.
The Sam Mason Show on BBC Radio Bristol lifted audience
reach by 4.4%, the largest increase recorded by RAJAR
across the UK in 2008.


A household face and voice, Sam has unarguably the largest
personal following in the region; listeners and viewers who
loyally tune in to her shows and inevitably boost ratings.
A unique and unmistakeable broadcaster, with an earthy,
irreverent, provocative style, Sam retains the girl-next-door
appeal which originally made her a loveable broadcasting
one-off.


Not afraid to confront the burning issues of the day, Sam, a
consummate live presenter, is truly at home working in the
realms of her first love, entertainment. With a bulging little
black book of contacts compiled over a lifetime, Sam is
known for her ability to seduce even the most hard-hearted
celebrity into a trip to her studio for an impromptu gig or
revealing interview.


After a meteoric rise with HTV/ITV, Sam took a career
break at the turn of the millennium to become a full-time
mum and raise her daughter, Nell, now a teenager, before
returning to join the BBC.


Experience


PRESENTER, ‘THE SAM MASON SHOW,’ BBC RADIO
BRISTOL AND SOMERSET, 2007-2009
Sam had her own ratings’ winning afternoon show, featuring
a blend of music and chat with an array of international
stars. Over the years she’s interviewed major celebrities
such as Debbie Harry, Sir David Frost, The Stranglers,
Robbie Williams, Oasis, David Bowie, Jim Kerr, Howard
Marks and Jason Donovan.






TV and Radio Presenter


Audience response was unprecedented with record numbers
of listeners calling in, e-mailing or texting their opinions.
Calls went went off the Richter scale and BBC executives
rewarded Sam with an improved contract.



PRESENTER CUSTOM CHOPPER, DEMON FILMS,
2007, GRANADA CABLE TV, UK/USA

A series of ten one-hour programmes, filmed in Daytona,
other American locations and across Britain and Europe for
an international audience on terrestrial and satellite
platforms. Aired throughout Britain, Europe and the USA.



PRESENTER ‘SAM’S MISSION,’ HTV, 1998-2000
Weekly news item where Sam took on a different job or
challenge within the community, whether it be dustman,
midwife, belly dancer or boxer.



ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT HTV WEST
AND WALES, 1994-2000
Researching, producing, reporting and editing all the
entertainment-related items for HTV news, plus the fun
‘And Finally’ style pieces.



PRESENTER ‘LATE AND LIVE,’ HTV, FIVE SERIES,
1994-1998
Punchy, powerful, ratings-grabbing, 90-minute late night
live topical debate show with guests, bands and studio
audience. Live interviews with national figures involved in
the major issues of the day. Involved orchestrating and
controlling studio debate.



PRESENTER, ‘LIVING IT UP’ and ‘LIVING IT UP AT
CHRISTMAS,’ HTV WEST AND WALES, 1999 AND TX
DISCOVERY HOME AND LEISURE.

Home style magazine series and special on how to improve
your home and make it look great for Christmas.



NEWSREADER (LIVE), HTV 1990-1998
Presented all bulletins, from GMTV opt-outs to anchoring
main programme.



PRESENTER ‘WHAT’S ON,’ HTV 1994-1996
Entertainment guide for the West.



PRESENTER ‘FIRST CUT,’ HTV 1994-1995
Late night battle of the bands competition.



PRESENTER ‘FIT TO WIN!’ HTV AND MERIDIAN,
1994
Inter-regional family ‘It’s a Knockout’ competition.
Other work



PERSONAL APPEARANCES, CORPORATE /TRAINING
VIDEOS, VOICE-OVERS, CHARITY PATRONAGE (1990
to date)

Sam is much in demand because of her huge personal appeal
and rapport with the public, which never fails to increase
the audience/attendance, a fact appreciated by event
organisers.


Similarly Sam’s continued love affair with the viewing and
listening public has enhanced her important work with
various charities, including Breakthrough Breast Cancer, The
Gateway Club, Dorothy House Hospice and the Terence
Higgins Trust, formerly known as the Aled Richards’ Trust,
Autism in Children and The Variety Club of Great Britain.



Education


York Academy of Speech and Dramatic Art; BTEC National
Diploma in Performing Arts (Hons); Bristol Academy of
Performing Arts, Masters Diploma in Drama and Musical
Theatre.



Referrals


References on request.

Sunday 29 March 2009

The Titch Makes Me Twitch


I just launched a Facebook Group at the weekend: 'Alan Titchmarsh, The Saviour of Daytime Television.'

Within 24 hours I had around 50 members, so to speak.

Without him the whole afternoon telly schedule would just fall apart. What a guy. Whether growing Skunk, not for personal use I am sure, or testing sex toys, Mr Green Fingers has got me rooted to his afternoon allotment of allsorts.