Bristol-based Nokia MixRadio, part of the Nokia mobile communications group, has signed a major three-year sponsorship deal with the city’s prestigious Colston Hall to develop its music education scheme and widen the venue’s music programme.
The ground-breaking agreement – among the first of its kind in the UK – was officially launched at Colston Ha
ll last night. It will focus on two fundamental elements of the work of the Bristol Music Trust, which runs Colston Hall.
A new music series, called the Nokia MixRadio Series, will be launched next year and run four live events each year, showcasing the impressive array of talent involved in the Trust’s on-going music education programme, which will be renamed the Nokia MixRadio Remix Academy.
The Academy programme will reach more than 9,000 young people annually, particularly focusing on the Trust’s work with disadvantaged and hard-to-reach young people.
Nokia MixRadio’s support will enable the program to expand its work of providing young people with weekly workshops where they can develop their creative and musical skills, as well as providing access to the latest music technology and fully equipped rehearsal space.
Nokia MixRadio, which desribes itself as a “commercial-free, personalised radio station” produces playlists for streaming to subscribers. It employs more than 200 at its Bristol headquarters ranging from technicians and designers to digital librarians. The service is available in 31 countries.
Nokia MixRadio content director Neal Wagner said the link up with the Bristol Music Trust and Colston Hall was a perfect fit.
“The opportunities offered by Bristol Music Trust are hard to beat,” he said. “Its programme of artists is impressive and we are looking forward to co-presenting some brilliant events, but it is the Trust’s work with talented young musicians with huge potential to make great music that really got us excited at Nokia MixRadio. We very much look forward to working with the team.” 
He said many of Nokia MixRadio's employees were involved in music outside of work – including musicians and DJs.
Pictured: Neal Wagner of Nokia MusicMix and Bristol Music Trust chief executive Louise Mitchell
Bristol Music Trust chief executive Louise Mitchell described the sponsorship agreement as “a game changer for the Bristol Music Trust”.
She added: “As a new charity the support of an international company such as Nokia MixRadio will make a huge difference. We have some exciting announcements about our joint artistic programme to come in the following months and we will reach more young people with our education programmes in partnership with Nokia MixRadio.”
Talks on the sponsorship deal started in January. No financial details of the deal have been released.
