Background
Live and Direct Broadcasting is 100% owned and operated by broadcast and event specialist TOM BROWN.
With an unparalleled track record of broadcast media and event/tour management Tom has established a reputation as a hands-on, reliable and knowledgeable authority. Attention to detail, thorough planning, easy communication and meticulous implementation are key factors in every project.
Tom personally takes the lead role in all projects undertaken and uses only experienced and reliable talent and sub-contractors if needed.
Following almost 2 decades of front line corporate media experience with the BBC and ITV/ILR, Tom set up Live and Direct Broadcasting (UK) Ltd initially as an outside broadcast and event management consultancy. The company initially specialized in the provision of broadcast and recording resources (both human and technical) in difficult and demanding outside broadcast locations, e.g. live event stages, overseas territories, temporary structures, conferences and even hostile environments).
Before forming Live and Direct Tom specialised in broadcast event management for the BBC in London, setting up shows and events all over the Uk and in the USA, including the first ever satellite based simulcast between the BBC and New York station WBLS, including a live concert from the Apollo in Harlem featuring Alexander O’Neal….back in 1985…cutting edge back then! All of Tom’s events were “urban dance” (soul/rap/hip-hop/acid house/acid jazz).
Tom also worked as a programming manager at BBC Radio London with a roster of radio DJs including Dave Pearce, Pete Tong and Giles Peterson. In 1990 Tom joined the newly created KISS FM and organised and promoted many of their early club and concert events all over London.
Since its first formation in 1994, Live and Direct Broadcasting has developed and produced top class radio and audio content across all genres including, live events, clubs and concerts, music and entertainment and location based outside broadcasts. Throughout the 90s, Live and Direct set up cutting edge live events and concerts, nearly all of them broadcast live and featuring the cream of dance and club talent. In 1996 Tom was brought in to convert the Radio 1 roadshow into the Radio 1 dance party. This Friday night event ran over 6 weeks every summer and pulled in tens of thousands of people. Hosted by Dave Pearce these events were broadcast live on Radio 1. Live and Direct were also part of Radio 1′s millennium broadcast on December 31st 1999.
In 2000, Tom left the UK and set up Live and Direct Broadcasting Pty Ltd in Sydney, providing music, live events and speech based programming to both Commercial Radio and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation over a period of 5 successful years. Live and Direct also hosted DJ tours, regular club nights and brand led outside broadcasts all over Australia. Live and Direct set up the ABC’s first ever live New Years Eve dance party in 2001 from Bondi Beach, featuring Erick Morrillo and Darren Emmerson.
During this time Tom also hosted a marathon 8 hour weekend show on Sydney’s top commercial radio station, Nova 969. The show was called RUSH and featured big room club tracks from all over Sydney and the world. RUSH also released 3 successful compilation CDs and held numerous live events and concerts in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
In 2008, Live and Direct were chosen to put together the Bacardi B Live global radio show hosted by Groove Armada. The show toured the world, hosting events in London, Ibiza, Sydney, Mexico, Rio, Athens and Miami. Also in 2008, Live and Direct began hosting the We Love Ibiza weekly podcast from Space in Ibiza. Attracting over 50,000 downloads every week, the podcast went straight into the iTunes top3.
LIVE AND DIRECT IBIZA.
Tom has been invovled with Ibiza since 1994 when he masterminded the first ever live media broadcast from the island back to KISS FM in the UK. The broadcast was hosted by the newly opened Cafe Mambo and was relayed via a customised maritime satellite system and used an experimental technology called “MP3″…obvioulsy it’s much more common now! Since 1994 Live and Direct have worked in both broadcast and event management for broadcasters and UK club brands (Euphoria, Slinky, Gatecrasher). Tom has worked in either production or broadcast management at every club on the island and in 2011 was seconded to Ushuaia to assist with the setting up and continuing operation of their live concert facilities. Live and Direct is still the only production company used by BBC Radio 1 to provide broadcast quality content for all their Ibiza broadcast activity.
Live and Direct’s client list is extensive and includes global broadcasters and leading international brands. BBC NETWORK AND LOCAL RADIO, MTV, KISS FM, JAZZ FM, CAPITAL RADIO, VIRGIN MEDIA, ABC (Australia), DMG RADIO(Australia),GLOBAL RADIO, BAUER MEDIA, COCA-COLA, TANGO, MCDONALDS, GILLETTE, NESCAFE, BUDWEISER, ADDIDAS, KFC, SMIRNOFF, BACARDI and many others. In clubland Live and Direct have worked with CREAM, WE LOVE, GATECRASHER, SLINKY, EUPHORIA, WONDERLAND, HED KANDI, MINISTRY, GODSKITCHEN and many more.
LIVE AND DIRECT continues to look for new opportunities and partners in 2012.