BBC Marketing moving to Salford Quays

The BBC has confirmed that "key teams" from its Marketing, Communications & Audiences (MC&A) unit will be making the move to the new Salford Quays production base.

The BBC's Future Media & Technology (FM&T) division has already been informed that 75 of its roles will relocate to the new BBC North headquarters at MediaCity in Greater Manchester.

They will now be joined by 43 roles from the MC&A operation as the corporation attempts to make its northern base a "destination for audiences to interact with content and services".

BBC in-house Comedy Productions will also have a "significant base" at BBC North, with two additional comedy shows to be commissioned from there by 2012/13.

Earlier in the week, the BBC made the surprise move of confirming plans to relocate BBC Breakfast to Salford Quays, which has reportedly caused outrage among staff on the morning programme.

Around 2,300 BBC employees will transfer to BBC North, including staff from the corporation's sport, children's and learning divisions, along with parts of Radio 5 Live.

BBC North director Peter Salmon said that the additional relocation announcements have been a "real shot in the arm" for MediaCity and for audiences outside of London.

"Following BBC Breakfast, these announcements show the real momentum behind our new operation," he said.

"This fresh wave of journalists, audience specialists and technology experts enhances the site as a major centre for the creative industries and builds on the region's heritage for great journalism and innovation.

"This reflects the federation of departments we will have in the north, a genuine cross section of the organisation, and how it is really in the interests of the whole BBC to make this a success."

BBC director of future media and technology Erik Huggers said that the BBC is committed to building a strong base in the north with FM&T "at its heart".

"Just as Broadcasting House is associated with the rise of radio, and Television Centre with TV, I believe that MediaCity will become the BBC's centre for the internet age," he said.

"In time, BBC Online will become the universal gateway to the past, present, and future of the BBC - embracing our audiences within a single integrated offer across all platforms and devices.

"Moving our connected TV and mobile product teams north, together with a core part of BBC Online, is very much part of realising this vision."