Christopher BarrettThe BBC has unveiled new branding (below) for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, inspired by the Ukrainian and UK flags, that will run alongside the accompanying slogan United By Music.
Martin Green CBE, chief creative officer of the Government’s £120m UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK festival and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022, is MD of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. He said, “The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will be a truly special event and the creative look is a big part of creating that magic. This year’s identity sums up perfectly the amazing partnerships across the Contest and more importantly the power of music to bring people together across the world.”
Green is leading a production team that includes James O’ Brien, who has been hired as executive in charge of production. His large-scale event experience includes working on MTV Europe Music Awards, the London 2012 Olympics and this year’s Commonwealth Games. He will oversee a team responsible for the technical delivery of both the Eurovision live shows and broadcast, and all other elements within the venue precinct.
Rachel Ashdown has been confirmed as the lead commissioner for the BBC on Eurovision. She will work with BBC Studios, which will produce the three live shows – the two Semi-Finals and the final. Heading the BBC Studios team will be Andrew Cartmell, who has been appointed executive producer.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 is to be staged in Liverpool at the city’s 11,000-capacity M&S Bank Arena (pictured). Operated by The ACC Liverpool Group, the venue will host the final of the contest on 13 May, with semi-finals staged on 9 and 11 May.
The new show branding will be first used at an official handover ceremony broadcast on BBC Two from Liverpool’s St George’s Hall tonight, 31 January.