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North Wales Chronicle
5 hours ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Welsh TV production company plans to expand into new markets
Caernarfon-based Cwmni Da, which is employee-owned and mainly produces content for Welsh-language broadcaster S4C, is now targeting a wider audience under the leadership of newly-appointed chief executive Bethan Griffiths. The company is currently seeking to recruit a content director and an operations director as part of its growth strategy. Ms Griffiths said: "The new content director and operations director will be key appointments because they are going to be fundamentally important in shaping our future strategy. "It's a really exciting development." Cwmni Da, which means "good company" in Welsh, has already launched a scripted content division led by award-winning actor, director and producer Martin Thomas. The company is also exploring international opportunities and has established connections with broadcasters in other Celtic nations, as well as in Korea and China. Ms Griffiths said: "We are also looking to international horizons because we have the ability and talent to cater for audiences outside Wales. "With that in mind, we have built up and retained relationships with broadcast partners in the Celtic countries as well as Korea and China." A key part of Cwmni Da's evolution involves the careful integration of artificial intelligence into its production processes. Ms Griffiths said: "As part of our evolution, we are looking at the responsible use of artificial intelligence – done sensibly with proper safeguards it can add real value to our programme making. "We are already using AI in at least two programmes which are due to be broadcast later this year. "We are using different kinds of AI to enable dramatic reconstruction by using an image or archive material to create footage from it as well as forensic analysis of evidence. "AI is also a very useful tool in conducting audience research to find out definitively what people actually want to watch – but we are very clear that all findings need to be properly checked and verified by the team." Cwmni Da was named one of the best places to work in the UK broadcast industry for the second consecutive year, a recognition Ms Griffiths attributes to its employee-owned model. She said: "One of the main reasons for the change was to safeguard the ethos of Cwmni Da and make sure it stayed rooted here in Caernarfon rather than being bought out by a larger company. "We feel it's worked really well because we've retained our identity and the people who work here feel a real sense of ownership and commitment. "Happy staff create great content and that's what we're all about."
Powys County Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Broadcaster and adventurer to host Powys Business Awards
Welsh adventurer and broadcaster with more than 20 years experience, Lowri Morgan, will be hosting this year's Powys Business Awards ceremony. A broadcaster for more than two decades, Lowri Morgan has been announced as the host of the 2025 ceremony for the Powys Business Awards, scheduled to be held at The Hafren, Newtown on Friday, October 17. Lowri said: 'It's a real privilege to host the Powys Business Awards. These awards are all about drive, passion and perseverance – qualities I've seen in the wildest parts of the world and which I know are alive and well in the business community of Powys. 'I'm excited to celebrate the inspiring stories behind this year's finalists.' Best known for her endurance adventures and documentaries for S4C, BBC, ITV and international broadcasters, Lowri has pushed herself to some of the most extreme environments on Earth. From diving to the wreck of the Titanic, to completing ultra-marathons in the Arctic and Amazon, her journey has earned her major accolades including BAFTA Cymru's Best Presenter, Spirit of the Festival (Celtic Media Festival) and National Adventure Awards Media winner. Organised by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group (MWMG), the annual awards celebrate business innovation, resilience, excellence and talent across Powys. Powys Business Awards, founded 16 years ago, aims to recognise and reward the exceptional talent, innovation and commitment that help drive the local economy forward. The awards ceremony is expected to attract key business leaders, community figures and dignitaries from across the region.
North Wales Live
3 days ago
- North Wales Live
Gwynedd tourist who died in Malta hotel fall named by police
Police in Malta have named a man from North Wales who tragically died after falling from a hotel balcony on the holiday island. Local media reported that a British tourist died in St Julian's, a popular holiday spot on the Mediterranean island, in the early hours of Friday, July 11. He has been named as 25-year-old Kieran Thomas Hughes, who was born in Bangor. Messages of support for Mr Hughes' family and friends were issued after it was reported that the man who died was from Gwynedd. S4C reports he was originally from the Caernarfon area. Medics were called to the scene in the town's Triq Spinola area at around 4.15am. It is understood Mr Hughes was pronounced dead at the scene. A spokesman for the Foreign Office confirmed they were in contact with local authorities regarding the death, reports WalesOnline. Police inquiries are reported to be ongoing. On hearing of the incident, Liz Saville Roberts, MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, said: 'Heartbreaking news. My heart goes out to the young man's family at this extremely difficult time.' Senedd member Sian Gwenllian added: 'News of the death of a 25-year-old from Gwynedd in Malta is truly devastating. The pain his family must be experiencing is unimaginable. 'My thoughts, and those of the people of Gwynedd, are with the family in their grief.' A Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office spokesman said: 'We are in contact with the local authorities regarding the death of a British man in Malta.'
4 days ago
- Sport
Wales finally tastes victory after 19 tests and 644 days
KOBE, Japan -- Wales' misery is over. Wales finally won a rugby test and snapped an 18-match international losing streak when it held off Japan 31-22 on Saturday. The Welsh looked like they were going to blow it again when their 24-10 lead was cut to 24-22 by Japan with 17 minutes remaining. But Wales used a Josh Macleod ruck turnover to get back into the Japan 22 and pressure and desperation earned a 74th-minute try for flyhalf Dan Edwards. The first-time test starter converted his try and was a perfect five-for-five off the tee. The nine-point margin and sterling defense in sweltering heat were finally enough to get Wales to fulltime, when it celebrated with hugs and cheers. 'We knew it was 18 successive defeats but this is a young group and there's a lot more to come from us,' Edwards told S4C channel. 'It was amazing to score. I was just glad to catch the ball!. I'm just so glad we won.' He and many of the team had never tasted victory for Wales. Wales had gone 644 days since its last win in October 2023 against Georgia in the Rugby World Cup. It's 18-match losing run left it tied with France's losing streak from 1911-20 as the longest by a major team in test rugby history. Wales had to endure brutal conditions again. The afternoon match was played in high humidity in an enclosed stadium which required regular water breaks and an extended 20-minute halftime break. Winger Josh Adams was a standout for Wales, scoring the opening try and setting up the second of a first-half double for scrumhalf Kieran Hardy before being replaced at halftime. Hardy scored in the 27th minute and again in the 35th, while Japan No. 8 Faulua Makisi was in the sin-bin, as Wales opened a 21-3 lead. But with Makisi back and a new front row on, Japan struck just before halftime with a try to replacement tighthead Shuhei Takeuchi. A 40-meter Edwards penalty after the break made it 24-10 then Japan came roaring back. Lock Warner Dearns scored at the end of a long attack started by his chargedown, and center Dylan Riley scooped a dropped overhead catch by Edwards and ran from halfway to score between the posts. Wales looked like it was wilting as it did last week in the first test in Kitakyushu, when it blew a 19-7 lead and lost 24-19. The Wales 6-2 bench was even exposed when an injured center had to be replaced with a scrumhalf who was posted on the wing. But Macleod's turnover started a last resurgence and the Welsh prevailed. They looked spent and clung to each other in celebration.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Test torment over for Wales with Brave Blossoms win
Wales have finally won a rugby Test and snapped an 18-match international losing streak, holding off Japan 31-22. The Welsh looked like they were going to blow it again when their 24-10 lead was cut to 24-22 by Japan with 17 minutes remaining on Saturday. But Wales used a Josh Macleod ruck turnover to get back into the Japan 22 and pressure and desperation earned a 74th-minute try for flyhalf Dan Edwards. The first-time Test starter converted his try and was a perfect five-for-five off the tee. The nine-point margin and sterling defence in sweltering heat were finally enough to get Wales to fulltime. "We knew it was 18 successive defeats but this is a young group and there's a lot more to come from us," Edwards told S4C channel. "It was amazing to score. I was just glad to catch the ball!. I'm just so glad we won." Wales had gone 644 days since their last win in October 2023 against Georgia at the Rugby World Cup. Their losing run left them tied with France's losing streak from 1911-20 as the longest by a major team in Test rugby history. Winger Josh Adams was a standout for Wales, scoring the opening try and setting up the second of a first-half double for scrumhalf Kieran Hardy before being replaced at halftime. Hardy scored in the 27th minute and again in the 35th, while Japan No.8 Faulua Makisi was in the sin bin, as Wales opened a 21-3 lead. But with Makisi back and a new front row on, Japan struck just before halftime with a try to replacement tighthead Shuhei Takeuchi. A 40m Edwards penalty after the break made it 24-10 then Japan came roaring back. Lock Warner Dearns scored at the end of a long attack started by his chargedown, and centre Dylan Riley scooped a dropped overhead catch by Edwards and ran from halfway to score between the posts. But Macleod's turnover started a last resurgence and the Welsh prevailed. They looked spent and clung to each other in celebration.
