The first eight young multimedia professionals have been selected to take part in the Eurovision Media Department’s SkillsXchange, a new Erasmus-style programme for young professionals working with Public Service Broadcasters in Europe.

Eurovision Media Online received 38 applications from EBU Members. The 8 selected candidates include colleagues from RTVSLO Slovenia, DW Germany, VRT Belgium, RTBF Belgium, RTE Ireland, NRK Norway, SR Sweden and EER Estonia. They work as multimedia journalists, digital and video producers, online creatives, social media experts and digital storytellers.

The 8 SkillsXchangers will now come together at the Rai-Prix Italia in Turin between 19 and 24 September to work on producing innovative ways to tell stories around the event which will involve producing web and mobile content, as well as innovating with blogs, social and visual networks.

The team will also produce strategic recommendations to improve the event’s online and social media presence. Their findings, recommendations and experience will be shared with the wider EBU Membership.  

The EBU’s Media Director, Jean Philip De Tender said it’s important to engage with the best writers, developers, producers to create relevant content for PSM:

“The SkillsXchange programme will help young PSM professionals grow and acquire experience from a different perspective, as well as provide the host broadcaster with fresh and inspiring new ideas from creative professionals from other countries,” he said.

Paolo Morawski, Secretary General of Prix Italia thinks that the SkillsXChange is not just a chance to nurture innovation within Public Service Media but also provides an opportunity to innovate the Prix Italia at the same time:

“These are all bright young people, they're curious, they're hungry: we want them to live among us, to have access to everything there is to see in a big complex machine like the Prix Italia. We will encourage them to observe us, ask questions, but also to jump on board, help out, share the thrill," he said.

"We are really excited to have them, and we expect a lot of action and fun. And ideas, many good ideas.”

Rai-Prix Italia is the Creativity Laboratory of Radio/TV/Online Media around the world and is this year devoted to explore the Power of Storytelling.

More details about the Digital SkillsXchange project can be found here.

The 8 multimedia professionals chosen for the first Digital SkillsXchange are:

Andrej Cebokli (RTVSLO Slovenia)

Pauline Libeert (VRT Belgium)

Kristin Granbo (NRK Norway)

Aleksandr Hussainov (EER Estonia)

François Jadoulle (RTBF Belgium)

Irma-Lissa Pyokkimies (SR Sweden)

Marina Strauss (DW Germany)

Nigel Wheattey (RTE Ireland)