Actors get phone centre casting call

A CALL centre company is launching a new hub at Salford’s MediaCityUK – staffed entirely by actors.

RSVP (Media Response) is making the ambitious move into the Northern Powerhouse with waterfront offices at the Digital World Centre at 1 Lowry Plaza, opening today (Thursday October 27).

RSVP Manchester will be an exact replica of the highly successful RSVP London business model, employing confident and talented professional actors as agents on the phones.

It will be expanding from its 370-seat base in London Docklands by employing an additional initial staff base of 50 agents to be housed in the Salford offices, with the Manchester RSVP number forecast to grow to 150 within the first year.
 
The Digital World Centre is a Grade A, mixed-use building located adjacent to the Lowry Outlet at MediaCityUK.

It offers stunning views across MediaCityUK and is close to both the MediaCityUK Metrolink stop and a wide range of nearby amenities. The distinctive building provides more than 72,000sq ft of office space as well as onsite car parking.

RSVP managing director Mark Abernethy said: “MediaCityUK is such a great place for us to be situated in the North.

“It’s a vibrant and creative environment and it suits us perfectly to be so close to The Lowry Theatre, BBC North, ITV Studios and the Coronation Street set.

“It will be great to have so many casting directors close by and they in turn will have easy access to a pool of actors, should they need to fill last minute castings. This is the perfect location for our actor agents, and also for our business growth.”
 
Mark Robinson, head of asset management MediaCityUK, said: “As work commences on phase two of MediaCityUK and the site is set to double in size over the next 10 years, we are keen to welcome thriving companies such as RSVP which will support our vision for growth and development.

“The Digital World Centre continues to attract exciting market leaders, and the addition of RSVP is particularly complementary, as its unique offering is an ideal fit with other media industry businesses at MediaCityUK.”

RSVP, now 28 years old, is enjoying exceptional year on year growth. The turnover in 2016 is forecast to be £14m, rising to £15.5m in 2017.
 
The expansion to the north will establish a northern contact centre stage that will attract fresh clients, and will also serve seasonal peaks.
 
Robinson said the acting training and experience of highly educated agents enables them to engage and build a unique rapport with callers from all walks of life.

The agents are offered flexible working hours, which enables them to pursue their creative dreams, taking time off for auditions or to record self-tapes on the premises.
 
If the offer comes in to tread the boards or grace a film set they are able to leave at short notice with another agent seamlessly filling their shoes.
 
The unique call centre has been cited as the only company in the UK to encourage their staff to leave. RSVP London launched its own in-house theatrical agency, RSVP Artists in summer 2016.

RSVP Artists will also have a presence on the third floor of RSVP Manchester, actively finding their agents work in the performing world.

Hiten Patel, client services director, said: “The opening of RSVP Manchester is a very exciting venture. We are thrilled to be branching out to the north, it’s such a fast growing market, with strong manufacturing, entertainment, digital media, science, technology and service sectors.

“We are looking forward to settling into MediaCityUK and becoming a part of this inspiring and energetic community.”

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