Difference between revisions of "Breakthrough Media Network"

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[[Breakthrough Media Network]] is a London communications company.<ref name="Guardian020516">Ian Cobain, Alice Ross, Rob Evans and Mona Mahmood, [http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/may/02/uk-government-covert-propaganda-stop-muslims-joining-isis?CMP=share_btn_tw Revealed: UK's covert propaganda bid to stop Muslims joining Isis], ''Guardian'', 2 May 2016.</ref>
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{{Template:Counter-Terrorism Portal badge}}[[Image:Breakthrough Media logo.png|250px|right|thumb|Breakthrough Media logo, via LinkedIn]]
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[[Breakthrough Media Network]] is a London communications company, founded in 2008. <ref> [https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/06651251/officers Breakthrough Media Network LTD], ''Companies House'', accessed 24 January 2017. </ref> The company specialises in producing digital campaign materials for 'governments, non-profits, inter-governmental organisations and progressive companies', with a goal to 'strengthen society and inspire positive social change'. <ref> [http://breakthroughmedia.org/#contact About us], ''Breakthrough Media'', accessed 24 January 2017. </ref>
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Breakthrough Media has produced a series of government campaign resources, including for the [[Department for Education]], the [[Department for Health]], the [[Foreign & Commonwealth Office]] and the [[Home Office]].
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==Ties to the RICU==
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A report by the Muslim-focused advocacy group [[CAGE]] released in May 2016 alleges that the [[Research, Information and Communications Unit]] (RICU), the Home Office's 'strategic communications' body, works through Breakthrough Media to covertly promote counter extremist narratives. <ref> Ben Hayes and Asim Qureshi, [https://cage.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/CAGE_WACI.pdf 'We are completely independent'], ''CAGE'', accessed 25 January 2017. </ref>
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As part of the government's [[PREVENT]] counter-radicalisation programme, Breakthrough Media reportedly receives funding from the Home Office  to produce digital material (e.g. films, Facebook profiles, websites) in order to 'influence online conversations by being embedded within target communities via a network of moderate organisations that are supportive of it’s [sic] goals'. These materials are then 'hosted' by civil society groups and 'grassroots' community organisations, in order to gain credibility of independence. <ref> Ian Cobain, Alice Ross, Rob Evans and Mona Mahmood, [https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/02/inside-ricu-the-shadowy-propaganda-unit-inspired-by-the-cold-war Inside Ricu, the shadowy propaganda unit inspired by the cold war], ''The Guardian'', 2 May 2016, accessed 16 January 2017. </ref>
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The report alleges that the government determined the editorial line of several multimedia campaigns produced by Breakthrough Media. Additionally, the communications company is protected by the [[Official Secrets Act]], which staff of Breakthrough Media are required to sign, thereby shielding its full activities from public scrutiny and disclosure.
  
 
==Campaigns==
 
==Campaigns==
  
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===Help for Syria campaign===
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[[File:Screenshot 2020-03-27 at 19.41.26.png|right|thumb|600px|Leaked document showing relationship between [[Breakthrough Media]] (and thus with [[RICU]]) of a range of allegedly independent civil society groups including [[Active Change Foundation]], [[Anti-Tribalism Movement]], [[FAST]], [[FIDA Management]], [[FMO]], [[Imams Online]], [[Inspire]], [[JAN Trust]], [[JIMAS]], [[New Horizons]], [[Plain Islam]], [[Tiger Legends]], [[Tim Parry Jonathan Ball Foundation for Peace]], [[Upstanding Neighbourhoods]]]]
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The ''Guardian'' reported in May 2016 that Breakthrough Media worked for the [[Research, Information and Communications Unit]] of the [[Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism]] on  the ''Help For Syria'' campaign, which sought to provide advice on how to aid Syrian refugees.<ref name="Guardian020516">Ian Cobain, Alice Ross, Rob Evans and Mona Mahmood, [http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/may/02/uk-government-covert-propaganda-stop-muslims-joining-isis?CMP=share_btn_tw Revealed: UK's covert propaganda bid to stop Muslims joining Isis], ''Guardian'', 2 May 2016.</ref>
 
  
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===Educate against hate===
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===Educate Against Hate===
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===Families Matter===
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===Fightback Starts Here===
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===Help for Syria===
  
 
==People==
 
==People==
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===Directors===
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*[[Robert Stephen Elliott]] | ''Founder and joint CEO'' | Active since 21 July 2008
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*[[Robert Stephen Elliott]]
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*[[Scott Brown]]
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Former reality TV producer. <ref> [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-elliott-2363955 Robert Elliott], ''LinkedIn'', accessed 24 January 2017. </ref>
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*[[Scott Brown]] | ''Joint CEO'' | Active since 17 August 2012
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Former deputy chief of staff at lobbying firm [[Bell Pottinger]]. <ref> [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-brown-642264a5 Scott Brown], ''LinkedIn'', accessed 24 January 2017. </ref>
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*[[Helen Davies]] | ''Managing director, UK''
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*[[Louis Brooke]] | ''Managing director, international''
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*[[Ellie Davis]] | ''Director of operations and production''
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*[[Margherita Watt]] | ''Executive creative director''
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*[[Andrew Sharples]] | ''Director of research and strategy''
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*[[Claire Bamford]] | ''Financial controller''
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*[[Chris Welcome]] | ''Head of HR''
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===Circa March 2015===
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[[Robert Elliott]] Managing Director | [[Scott Brown]] Managing Director | [[Ellie Davis]] Head of Production | [[Alex Blance]] Account Director | [[Joseph Sayegh]] Lead Web Developer | [[Isobel Ricketts]] Production Manager | [[Hiran Balasuriya]] Post Production Supervisor | [[Will West]] Producer/Director | [[Srdjan Spremo]] PPC Specialist | [[Lucy Skelley]] Production Manager | [[Sean Glynn]] Researcher | [[Paul Krajewski]] Senior Production Coordinator | [[Mary Olivia Hickey]] Communications Assistant | [[Marwah Shire]] Junior Accountant | [[Martin Lye]] Graphic Designer | [[Anil Douglas]] Researcher | [[Lea von Maritus]] Community Manager | [[Martin Harris]] Community Manager | [[Karim Mijal]] Campaign Manager | [[Ho Ting Chung]] Digital Manager | [[Gulsum Acar]] Campaign Manager | [[Claire Bamford]] Financial Controller | [[Catherine Stringer]] Events Production Manager | [[Ben Taylor]] Campaign Manager | [[Adam Mazrani]] Campaign Manager | [[Alexa Anderson]] Office Manager | [[Harriet Osborne Crowley]] Production Coordinator | [[Simon Theis Jensen]] Art Director | [[Luke Gawin]] Producer/Director | [[Louis Brooke]] Head of East Africa | [[Elizabeth C Jones]] Senior Producer/Director | [[Karla Zambrano]] Production Manager | [[Chloe Quinlan]] Events Coordinator | [[Matt Potter]] Shooting Producer/Director<ref>Breakthrough Media [https://web.archive.org/web/20150310042522/http://www.breakthroughmedia.org/team/ Team]. Retrieved from the Internet Archive of 10 March 2015 on 6 May 2016.</ref>
  
 
==Clients==
 
==Clients==
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Include:
 
 
===PR and lobbying agencies===
 
===PR and lobbying agencies===
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[[Bell Pottinger]] | [[Chime Communications]] |
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[[Bell Pottinger]] | [[Chime Communications]]
  
 
===UK Government===
 
===UK Government===
 
[[Department for Education]] |  [[Department of Health]] |  [[Home Office]] |  [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]]
 
[[Department for Education]] |  [[Department of Health]] |  [[Home Office]] |  [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]]
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===Civil society groups===
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[[Inspire]] | [[FAST]]
  
 
===International===
 
===International===
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*[[African Union]] | [[UN]]
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[[African Union]] | [[UN]]
  
 
==Affiliates==
 
==Affiliates==
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:Nairobi, Kenya
 
:Nairobi, Kenya
 
:+254 (0)791 578 642 info@breakthroughmedia.org
 
:+254 (0)791 578 642 info@breakthroughmedia.org
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*'''Sydney'''
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:PO Box 524
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:Broadway
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:NSW 2007
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+61 (0) 2 8042 8100 helloaustralia@breakthroughmedia.org
  
 
Website: [http://breakthroughmedia.org/ http://breakthroughmedia.org/]
 
Website: [http://breakthroughmedia.org/ http://breakthroughmedia.org/]
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==Resources==
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===Contact===
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*[http://breakthroughmedia.org/ Breakthrough Media website]
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===See Also===
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[[RICU]] | [[European Strategic Communications Network]] | [[Syria Strategic Communications Advisory Team]] | [[The Network Hub]]
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==

Latest revision as of 10:28, 28 March 2020

Pa-police-460x230.jpg

This article is part of the Counter-Terrorism Portal project of Spinwatch.

Breakthrough Media logo, via LinkedIn

Breakthrough Media Network is a London communications company, founded in 2008. [1] The company specialises in producing digital campaign materials for 'governments, non-profits, inter-governmental organisations and progressive companies', with a goal to 'strengthen society and inspire positive social change'. [2]

Breakthrough Media has produced a series of government campaign resources, including for the Department for Education, the Department for Health, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Home Office.

Ties to the RICU

A report by the Muslim-focused advocacy group CAGE released in May 2016 alleges that the Research, Information and Communications Unit (RICU), the Home Office's 'strategic communications' body, works through Breakthrough Media to covertly promote counter extremist narratives. [3]

As part of the government's PREVENT counter-radicalisation programme, Breakthrough Media reportedly receives funding from the Home Office to produce digital material (e.g. films, Facebook profiles, websites) in order to 'influence online conversations by being embedded within target communities via a network of moderate organisations that are supportive of it’s [sic] goals'. These materials are then 'hosted' by civil society groups and 'grassroots' community organisations, in order to gain credibility of independence. [4]

The report alleges that the government determined the editorial line of several multimedia campaigns produced by Breakthrough Media. Additionally, the communications company is protected by the Official Secrets Act, which staff of Breakthrough Media are required to sign, thereby shielding its full activities from public scrutiny and disclosure.

Campaigns

Leaked document showing relationship between Breakthrough Media (and thus with RICU) of a range of allegedly independent civil society groups including Active Change Foundation, Anti-Tribalism Movement, FAST, FIDA Management, FMO, Imams Online, Inspire, JAN Trust, JIMAS, New Horizons, Plain Islam, Tiger Legends, Tim Parry Jonathan Ball Foundation for Peace, Upstanding Neighbourhoods

Educate Against Hate

Families Matter

Fightback Starts Here

Help for Syria

People

Former reality TV producer. [5]

Former deputy chief of staff at lobbying firm Bell Pottinger. [6]

Circa March 2015

Robert Elliott Managing Director | Scott Brown Managing Director | Ellie Davis Head of Production | Alex Blance Account Director | Joseph Sayegh Lead Web Developer | Isobel Ricketts Production Manager | Hiran Balasuriya Post Production Supervisor | Will West Producer/Director | Srdjan Spremo PPC Specialist | Lucy Skelley Production Manager | Sean Glynn Researcher | Paul Krajewski Senior Production Coordinator | Mary Olivia Hickey Communications Assistant | Marwah Shire Junior Accountant | Martin Lye Graphic Designer | Anil Douglas Researcher | Lea von Maritus Community Manager | Martin Harris Community Manager | Karim Mijal Campaign Manager | Ho Ting Chung Digital Manager | Gulsum Acar Campaign Manager | Claire Bamford Financial Controller | Catherine Stringer Events Production Manager | Ben Taylor Campaign Manager | Adam Mazrani Campaign Manager | Alexa Anderson Office Manager | Harriet Osborne Crowley Production Coordinator | Simon Theis Jensen Art Director | Luke Gawin Producer/Director | Louis Brooke Head of East Africa | Elizabeth C Jones Senior Producer/Director | Karla Zambrano Production Manager | Chloe Quinlan Events Coordinator | Matt Potter Shooting Producer/Director[7]

Clients

PR and lobbying agencies

Bell Pottinger | Chime Communications

UK Government

Department for Education | Department of Health | Home Office | Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Civil society groups

Inspire | FAST

International

African Union | UN

Affiliates

Contact details

  • London
Elizabeth House
39 York Road
London SE1 7NQ
+44 (0)20 7401 2555 info@breakthroughmedia.org
  • Nairobi
P.O Box 14230-008001
Westlands,
Nairobi, Kenya
+254 (0)791 578 642 info@breakthroughmedia.org
  • Sydney
PO Box 524
Broadway
NSW 2007

+61 (0) 2 8042 8100 helloaustralia@breakthroughmedia.org

Website: http://breakthroughmedia.org/

Resources

Contact

See Also

RICU | European Strategic Communications Network | Syria Strategic Communications Advisory Team | The Network Hub

Notes

  1. ↑ Breakthrough Media Network LTD, Companies House, accessed 24 January 2017.
  2. ↑ About us, Breakthrough Media, accessed 24 January 2017.
  3. ↑ Ben Hayes and Asim Qureshi, 'We are completely independent', CAGE, accessed 25 January 2017.
  4. ↑ Ian Cobain, Alice Ross, Rob Evans and Mona Mahmood, Inside Ricu, the shadowy propaganda unit inspired by the cold war, The Guardian, 2 May 2016, accessed 16 January 2017.
  5. ↑ Robert Elliott, LinkedIn, accessed 24 January 2017.
  6. ↑ Scott Brown, LinkedIn, accessed 24 January 2017.
  7. ↑ Breakthrough Media Team. Retrieved from the Internet Archive of 10 March 2015 on 6 May 2016.
  8. ↑ Ian Cobain, Alice Ross, Rob Evans and Mona Mahmood, Inside Ricu, the shadowy propaganda unit inspired by the cold war, The Guardian, 2 May 2016.
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