LONDON: BBC Worldwide has been recognised in the Trade Partners UK-backed International Business Awards where it bagged three trophies.
 

The awards won were Overall Exporter of the Year, Corporate Exporter of the year and Best International Marketing Campaign. BBC Worldwide claims to have had a turnover of over 25 million.

The International Business Awards are a joint initiative between Trade Partners UK and Nexus Communications (publishers of Export Times). They recognise the achievements of some of the best of British business, from successful new ventures to leading blue-chip organisations across the UK.

BBC Worldwide CEO Rupert Gavin added, "Despite a tough global economic climate one can still generate growth for the UK through strong marketing, a brand based strategy, good product quality and highly motivated sales teams. These awards are recognition of that success." An official release informs that being recognised with three major accolades against strong competition from leading UK organisations reflects BBC Worldwide's financial returns, strong growth, innovative strategies and market leadership over a three-year review period.

In the three-year review period - 2000-2003 - BBC Worldwide grew its turnover to 640 million and its profit from 26m to 32m. In the last financial year (2002/03) the company returned a record 123m to the BBC. Key factors in the company's growth have been the launch of BBC channels, branded blocks, the re-versioning of programmes such as The Weakest Link (aired in India on Star Plus as Kamzor Kadii Kaun) and Top of the Pops for local markets, and joint venture partnerships. This drove significant business growth in key territories such as the USA, Germany, Latin America and Canada.

Other major BBC properties that contributed to this success include the internationally acclaimed factual series, The Blue Planet (airs in India on Discovery) and Walking with Beasts. Children's properties such as Teletubbies and Tweenies continued to expand across media around the world. Walking with Beasts' marketing campaign in the EMEIA region was used as a case study to illustrate the company's innovative approach to marketing its brands and properties around the globe.