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‘Putting the landmark back into television’: Producing place and cultural value in Cardiff

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Abstract

This article explores the relationship between place-branding and creative industries in post-industrial urban landscapes, with a particular focus on Wales’ capital city, Cardiff. It examines the production and representation of place by close reference to BBC Wales’ television production as a case study of place-making. It draws upon original research undertaken for BBC Audience Council Wales that sought to gauge the cultural impact of BBC Wales’ landmark drama production. Questions of ethics, representation and cultural identity are explored through analysis of developers' and broadcasters’ promotional materials, key speeches and interviews with television commissioners, and focus groups with BBC Wales’ viewers and residents of Cardiff and the rest of Wales. Arguing that television is a powerful medium for representing and branding place, the article contributes to debates concerning the relationship between national media organisations and urban regeneration projects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries, University of Glamorgan, Atrium, Adam Street, Cardiff, UK

    Ruth McElroy

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  1. Ruth McElroy
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Correspondence to Ruth McElroy.

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1lectures in television studies, and consumer culture and cultural theory at the University of Glamorgan. She has published in academic journals including European Journal of Cultural Studies, Critical Studies in Television and Media History. At Glamorgan, she is co-director of the Centre for Gender Studies in Wales and a steering group member of the Centre for the Study of Media and Culture in Small Nations. Dr McElroy is a member of the management committee of Cyfrwng, the Welsh Media association and BAFTA Cymru. She is also book reviews editor for the European Journal of Cultural Studies. Dr McElroy has undertaken collaborative work with partners including BBC Audience Council Wales, Oxfam Wales and independent TV production companies.

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McElroy, R. ‘Putting the landmark back into television’: Producing place and cultural value in Cardiff. Place Brand Public Dipl 7, 175–184 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1057/pb.2011.20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/pb.2011.20

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