Behind the Scenes at BBC Cardiff
Today I had the opportunity to visit BBC Cardiff’s Central Square, and it was one of those experiences that reminds you just how much goes on behind the scenes before anything ever reaches our screens or radios.
From live newsrooms to radio studios — and even a brush with Doctor Who history — it was a day packed with insight, inspiration and a healthy dose of awe.
Inside the BBC Newsroom
One of the highlights was stepping into the BBC newsroom and seeing it in action. There’s an energy in that space that’s hard to describe — focused, fast-paced and quietly intense. Every screen, conversation and movement had purpose.
We learned how the newsroom operates in real time, how stories are tracked, updated and prioritised, and how teams work together under constant time pressure to keep the public informed.
It was a powerful reminder that news doesn’t just happen — it’s carefully constructed, checked and delivered by people working in perfect sync.
Learning the Autocue (and Giving It a Go)
One of the most exciting moments was learning how the autocue works — and even getting the chance to try it myself.
It’s far more technical than it looks from the outside. Timing, pacing, tone and confidence all matter, especially when you’re delivering information live. Reading from the autocue while staying natural and composed is a skill in itself, and giving it a go really highlighted just how much training and practice presenters put in.
It gave me a whole new appreciation for anyone delivering live news.
Behind the Radio Studios
We also toured the radio rooms, where we got an insight into how the different BBC radio channels operate from the same building.
Each studio had its own setup, sound, and rhythm — yet all were equally precise. Seeing presenters at work, surrounded by producers, engineers and live systems, really showed how radio is just as technically demanding as television, even if it’s less visually visible.
It’s a world where timing is everything and silence is just as important as sound.
Doctor Who Magic
As if the broadcast side of things wasn’t exciting enough, there was a moment that felt straight out of childhood — seeing Doctor Who costumes and props up close.
We saw:
- A Dalek from David Tennant’s era
- Matt Smith’s TARDIS
- Various costumes and production props
It was surreal seeing these iconic pieces in real life — reminders that BBC Cardiff isn’t just about news, but about storytelling on a global scale.
Hearing the Voices Behind the Voices
One of the most fascinating insights came from seeing — and hearing — how presenters are guided live on air.
We got a behind-the-scenes look at the production team communicating through earpieces worn by presenters. Hearing instructions, timing cues and updates being fed in real time while a broadcast is happening was eye-opening.
It showed just how much trust and coordination is required — presenters aren’t working alone, they’re supported every second by an entire production team.
A New Level of Appreciation
Walking through BBC Cardiff Central Square gave me a whole new respect for broadcast media. From the calm professionalism of the newsroom to the quiet technical mastery of radio and television, it’s clear that every moment on air is the result of teamwork, preparation and precision.
And of course, seeing a Dalek and the TARDIS along the way didn’t hurt either.
Final Thoughts
Today wasn’t just a tour — it was a reminder of how powerful storytelling, communication and collaboration can be. Whether it’s breaking news, live radio, or a sci-fi universe that’s captivated generations, the work happening inside BBC Cardiff reaches far beyond those walls.
An inspiring day, one I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
Three Days That Made a Lasting Impact: Boundless × Jason Mohammad’s Academy
Over the past three days, I’ve had the absolute privilege of being part of The Boundless Team × Jason Mohammad’s Academy, delivered in partnership with Employability Bridgend and Complete It — and it’s an experience that’s genuinely left a lasting impression on me.
What made this programme so special wasn’t just the skills we learned, but the encouragement, honesty and belief that ran through every session. It felt purposeful, supportive, and rooted in opening real pathways into creative careers here in Wales.
Day 1: Confidence, Inspiration & Teamwork
Day one centred around confidence, inspiration and teamwork — three things that sound simple on paper, but are fundamental in any creative industry.
A real highlight was hearing from special guest Danny Hargreaves, whose SFX work spans Doctor Who, Star Wars, War Between Land and Sea and more. Listening to Danny talk candidly about his journey, his creative process, and the realities of working at such a high level was hugely inspiring.
There was something grounding about hearing success stories that didn’t feel polished or untouchable — just honest, human, and motivating.
Day 2: Podcasting, Collaboration & Time Management
Day two shifted gears into podcasting and time management, where we worked as a team to co-write and produce a full podcast episode — from concept to delivery.
It was a brilliant lesson in collaboration under pressure. Ideas had to move quickly, communication had to be clear, and everyone had to play their part. Seeing how different strengths came together to create something cohesive was a reminder of how powerful teamwork can be in creative environments.
It wasn’t just about making a podcast — it was about learning how to problem-solve creatively, manage time effectively, and trust the process.
Day 3: Television, Studio Readiness & Autocue
Day three brought us into the world of television.
We covered:
- Time management in broadcast environments
- Being studio-ready
- Learning how to use an autocue
- Writing bulletins
Seeing how everything works behind the scenes was incredibly valuable. It demystified the process and showed just how much preparation, structure and teamwork goes into what viewers see on screen.
It was a real insight into the pace and precision required in broadcast media — and how confidence and preparation go hand in hand.
Learning from Jason Mohammad
I’m truly honoured to have had the opportunity to work alongside Jason Mohammad.
It’s rare — and genuinely refreshing — to see someone so highly respected in the industry give back in such a meaningful way. Jason’s commitment to helping people build confidence, skills and realistic pathways into creative careers in Wales is something special.
He’s been an outstanding coach and role model throughout the programme — encouraging, honest and deeply invested in everyone involved. I genuinely believe more people should look up to leaders like him.
More Than “Just” Three Days
While it’s technically only been three days, they’re three days that have absolutely made an impact on me and my career.
The advice, insights and encouragement from Jason and the entire team are things I’ll carry with me for a lifetime. It’s reminded me why creative spaces matter — and how powerful it is when opportunity, mentorship and belief come together.
Thank You
A huge thank you to The Boundless Team, Jason Mohammad, Employability Bridgend, Complete It, and everyone involved in making this experience possible.
What an experience — and one I’ll never forget.
When Deodorant Burns and Brands Must Speak Up
When Deodorant Burns and Brands Must Speak Up
It’s rarely glamorous when a trusted product turns problematic. For many of us, deodorant is simply a reliable daily ritual—spray or roll-on in the morning, worry less about odour or sweat for the day. So when reports emerged that Mitchum’s 48-hour roll-on antiperspirant was causing burning underarms, irritation, rashes and worse, it struck a nerve. People.com+2ITVX+2
What happened?
Mitchum issued an apology after a large number of consumers in the UK, Ireland and South Africa reported severe reactions—including red, blistering underarms, stinging, and what some described as “chemical burns”. People.com
The company’s response: the formula itself hadn’t changed, but a change in the manufacturing process of a raw material caused some batches to interact with skin differently. They’ve reverted to the original process and are withdrawing affected batches. ITVX+1
Brand impact: trust meets trauma
For a brand like Mitchum, once known for strong antiperspirant performance, this kind of incident does several things at once:
- Erosion of reliability: When a product you’ve used for years suddenly fails you—or worse, injures you—the implicit trust breaks.
- Emotional fallout: Some users reported pain, sleepless nights, even scarring. These aren’t mild product complaints, they’re health & wellbeing issues. The Independent
- Reputational risk: Social media (especially TikTok) amplified individual stories, turning niche complaints into widely seen alerts. Mitchum’s delay in addressing the issue left a vacuum where frustration grew. People.com
- Credibility gap: The phrase “temporary irritation” used in the brand’s statement was criticised as downplaying severity. Wanting to reassure is one thing; seeming to minimise pain is another. People.com+1
Should brands speak out when things go wrong?
Yes—and they must. But how they speak matters just as much as that they do.
Why speaking out is necessary:
- Transparency builds trust. Acknowledging fault or potential fault avoids the sense of cover-up.
- It’s a moral imperative. If consumers may be harmed, the brand has a duty of care.
- It prevents reputational escalation. Waiting while complaints mount gives power to social outrage rather than brand narrative.
But speaking out poorly can backfire:
- Vague language (e.g., “temporary irritation”) can be perceived as dismissive.
- Half-measures (e.g., “voluntary removal” rather than full recall) may be seen as cost-driven rather than consumer-driven.
- Delay is costly. The longer a brand stalls, the more stories proliferate unchallenged.
- Over-focus on process (e.g., “we changed manufacturing”) without empathy for the affected lacks emotional resonance.
What Mitchum should (and partly has) done
- Full public clarity: Which batches are affected, what consumers should do, how the brand is compensating. They did publish codes for affected batches. The Independent
- Offer support: Direct channels for complaints, medical advice referrals, refunds or replacements.
- Undertake remediation: Fix the manufacturing process, reassure customers, then communicate the fix. Mitchum states they have reverted the process. ITVX
- Use brand values: Acknowledge the deviation, reaffirm that quality and safety are core values—and show how they will prevent recurrence.
- Follow-up communication: Don’t just issue one apology and vanish. Provide updates, transparent monitoring, and showcase prevention measures.
What it means for consumers
For anyone using antiperspirants or deodorants:
- Check batch numbers and product codes if you hear of issues.
- Watch for skin sensitivity signs: redness, stinging, blisters. These may be more than simple irritation. Verywell Health
- When you feel uneasy about a trusted product changing subtly (smell, texture, effect), trust your gut.
- Understand that large brands may not always publicise manufacturing changes or minor formula tweaks—but your skin might notice.
The bigger picture: brand accountability in personal care
This incident with Mitchum is part of a broader trend: personal-care brands must balance innovation (new scents, new packaging, manufacturing efficiencies) with safety, clarity and consumer trust. As consumers become more informed—and empowered through social media—brands that hide behind opaque statements or delay responses risk far more than lost sales; they risk becoming irrelevant or distrusted.
In conclusion
When your underarm deodorant leaves your skin burning, it isn’t just a bad day—it’s a breach of trust. And when a brand doesn’t act swiftly, clearly, and empathetically, that breach deepens.
For Mitchum, the path back isn’t just reverting a manufacturing tweak—it’s rebuilding how they speak, how they listen and how they protect the people who rely on their products.
For us consumers, incidents like this are a reminder that even everyday products deserve scrutiny—and that our comfort, safety and trust are not too small to matter.
Why it’s important to trademark?
Trademarking is an essential part of protecting your brand and business. A trademark is a symbol, word, or phrase that identifies and distinguishes your goods or services from those of others. By obtaining a trademark, you are legally entitled to exclusive use of that mark, which helps prevent others from using similar marks that could confuse consumers or dilute the strength of your brand. In this blog post, we’ll explore why it’s important to trademark and use Kimoji’s as an example.
Kimoji’s is a brand of digital stickers and emoticons that was created by Kim Kardashian West in 2015. The brand quickly became popular and expanded to include merchandise such as t-shirts, phone cases, and accessories. However, before trademarking the brand, a website called “www.KimKardashianruinedmylife.com” was selling merchandise with the Kimoji’s designs. This was a clear example of trademark infringement.
Trademarking your brand provides legal protection against such infringing activities. By registering a trademark, you have the exclusive right to use that mark in connection with the goods or services specified in the registration. You can also prevent others from using similar marks that could cause confusion among consumers.
In the case of Kimoji’s, trademark registration allowed Kim Kardashian West to take legal action against the website that was selling merchandise with her brand’s designs. If she had not trademarked Kimoji’s, it would have been much more difficult to take legal action against the infringing website.
Trademarking also helps establish your brand identity and build brand recognition. A strong trademark can become synonymous with your business and products, making it easier for customers to remember and recognize your brand. This recognition can help build customer loyalty and increase sales.
Furthermore, trademarking can also add value to your business. If you ever plan to sell your business, a registered trademark can increase its value as it is an asset that can be transferred to the new owner. It also shows potential buyers that you have taken the necessary steps to protect your brand and its intellectual property.
In conclusion, trademarking your brand is essential for protecting your intellectual property, building brand recognition, and adding value to your business. Kimoji’s is a great example of why it’s important to trademark. By obtaining a trademark, Kim Kardashian West was able to protect her brand and take legal action against those who infringed upon it. If you are a business owner, make sure to consider trademarking as part of your overall strategy to protect and grow your brand.