News & Press Releases

Sue Woodward OBE

Reification 09 - Never mind the shambolics

Manchester creatives today announced Refication 09 - to take place this summer in the heart of the city that last June staged the hugely successful 24 hour creative and cultural tribute in memory of one of its favourite sons, broadcaster Anthony Wilson.

Reification: The Tony Wilson Experience - a 24 hour nonstop conversation featuring Steve Coogan, Irvine Welsh, Professor Brian Cox and many others - attracted global attention last year despite  being put together with very little lead-in time following the death of the Manchester cultural hero, innovator, and entrepreneur.

The creative team behind that event have now formed a social enterprise company - Reification - to stage the event for the next three years. The company is an independent body under the directorship of individuals including international designer Peter Saville; bassist Peter Hook - who through his bands Joy Division and New Order has helped spotlight the musical talents of Manchester on the world stage; and former managing director of ITV Granada, Sue Woodward OBE.

Refication 09 will be held on the weekend of June 20 / 21 and will be masterminded by the creative team behind last year's event  - now fellow Reification Directors - Elliot Rashman, music industry luminary; Rose Marley, Director of award winning social enterprise Motiv; and Keith Jobling, Director of media company The Boot Room.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, joins Peter Saville, Peter Hook, and Vicky Rosin, Assistant Chief Executive Manchester City Council, as Non-Executive Directors of the new company.

Sir Richard said:  "Last year's event was both a wonderful tribute to a great man and also a real success - proved by the very positive feedback from the people who took part.

"Reification has great potential to help young people develop their creative talents and to bring their talents to the rest of the world.  24 hours in Manchester.  A day and a night in the city of firsts to engage with, wonder, and witness first-hand the future of global creativity on our doorstep."

Legal services to the new company are being provided by leading media lawyer Henna Riaz from Hill Dickinson, experts in creative law.

Henna Riaz said: "We're very excited to be involved in Refication.  Our particular expertise and existing client base make us a perfect fit for the company's aims and objectives.  We're looking forward to contributing to a successful world class event in June this year that will get not just Manchester talking but the rest of the world."

Reification Managing Director, Sue Woodward, commented: "This is not simply a re-run of last year.  It is a real chance for young creative entrepreneurs to listen,engage, argue back with, and be inspired by global names in the business.

"Less 'listen and learn', more 'challenge and change', their own futures.  It could only ever happen in Manchester."

More information on this year's event will be announced over the coming weeks.  

For information about last year's event visit  www.tonywilsonexperience.com