The Head of Live Events for BBC Music, Jason Carter, is leaving the corporation nearly 20 years after first joining Radio 1.
Jason announced the news on Twitter earlier this week:
So today I announced my departure from the BBC, an incredibly exciting new opportunity awaits! After 20 yrs a big move..more news soon..
— Jason Carter (@JasonFCarter) February 13, 2017
He has been in charge of events such as Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park, Radio 1’s Big Weekend, 1Xtra Live, the Radio 1 Teen Awards and the 6 Music Festival. Prior to taking over control of events for the BBC’s popular music radio stations he was Editor of Radio 1 and 1Xtra. Earlier in his career, he launched the BBC Introducing showcase for new music.
Bob Shennan, the BBC’s Director of Radio and Music, told RadioToday: “Jason has worked at the BBC for nearly 20 years and has been a critical leader in the development of our Live Events team, shaping many of the BBC’s most successful and high profile audience-facing events. He is the man who launched BBC Introducing, some 10 years ago, which launched the careers of artists including Florence and the Machine, George Ezra, James Bay and Jake Bugg. More recently Jason has been a key figure in the development of BBC Music. He will leave a thriving legacy and everyone at BBC Music wishes him well for his new future venture.”
Jason’s understood to be joining Amazon to head up a new initiative for the company.
Among those reacting to news of his departure via Twitter were Edith Bowman, Jo Whiley, Bob Harris, Annie Nightingale and Bobby Friction.
Former BBC executive Roger Mosey wrote: “One of the people who played a major part in the BBC’s London 2012 coverage. Brilliant leadership of the Hackney Weekend music festival.”
Colleague Mike Hanson said: “There’d be no R1BW, 1XTRALIVE, Introducing, 6MFestival, or R2Hyde Park if not for this man. And no, I’m not asking to be poached. Just sayin”
Jason was given the role heading up Live Music and Events for the BBC in 2012. He joined Radio 1 in August 1997 as an events co-ordinator, and soon became an events manager, looking after Radio 1 event branding, promotion and external media partnerships. Between 2001 and 2007 Jason was Executive Producer, Live Music & Events at Radio 1 before taking up the role as Editor.
