A major new entertainment attraction in Greater Manchester is recruiting a pint-sized CEO – that’s Chief Excitement Officer to you.
Oxygen Activeplay is set to open at MediaCity next month, filled with 24 trampolines, loads of inflatables, a giant air bag jump and an indoor aerial Sky Rider.
Ahead of its February launch, the state-of-the-art venue is on the hunt for someone to take on the ‘most fun job in Manchester’, testing out all the attractions inside and overseeing excitement levels.
The mini-CEO role will be offered to an outgoing and creative candidate who must be aged between six and 12 years old.
Once Oxygen Activeplay has found its Chief Excitement Officer, the work can begin…
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Listed responsibilities in the spoof job advert include auditing the bounce-ability of 24 epic trampolines, assessing the Sky Rider’s sky-high feeling, evaluating the energy of Oxygen’s signature Excite Tunnel, and inspecting the floating on-air style cushioning of the mega-airbag.
The successful CEO will also be testing out the ‘fun factor’ of the interactive Strike Arena, calculating the amount of balance needed to cross the high ropes course, and delivering an excitement briefing to Oxygen’s Hero Crew to prepare for the opening.
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They’ll also need to evaluate the tastiness of the cafe’s menu on site, including the slushies.
Essential experience for the role includes ‘a proven track record of playing games, trying new things, and most importantly knowing how to have fun’.
Oxygen MediaCity is recruiting a Chief Excitement Officer – and they must be an actual child. Credit: Supplied, Jamie McPhilimey
The CEO’s first official duty will be to visit Oxygen Activeplay before it officially opens its doors to review the facility alongside Oxygen’s other CEO, Stephen Wilson.
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Then they’ll be hitting the streets to quiz Mancs on how much they really know about ‘BIG-TIME fun’, before cutting the ribbon to the new attraction in MediaCity.
The successful Chief Excitement Officer will receive a salary in the form of an annual bounce pass worth over £600 for them and their family, plus the chance to host their next birthday party at the park.
And they’ll be given a full written reference for their CV, making them the only child in the UK to hold the coveted letters of ‘CEO’.
Stephen Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Oxygen Activeplay, said: “I’m really looking forward to joining forces with another CEO and hearing their professional input on peak playing protocols to help maximise BIG-TIME Fun.”
Oxygen Activeplay is opening at MediaCity this year. Credit: Supplied
“With Oxygen at MediaCity being our newest park, we’re keen to amplify the excitement levels, so bringing in a professional was the logical step. If you think you’re the best at having fun and bringing the excitement, then we want to hear from you!”
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Peta Young, People Director at Oxygen Activeplay, said: “Recruiting for a role as important as the Chief Excitement Officer is a really big deal and we want to find the bubbliest and bounciest Mancunian to join our team, so we’d like to encourage as many people as possible to apply for the chance to be Oxygen at MediaCity’s CEO.”
To apply, the aspiring CEO should get their parent or guardian to help them send in a video explaining why they believe they’re the most qualified for the job, which can be submitted HERE.
The candidate must be available for official CEO duties on the 14 February evening or 15nFebruary morning, and Saturday 8 or Sunday 9 day time. They must also be available on the evening of Thursday 6 March to cut the ribbon at the VIP opening celebration.
Oxygen Activeplay is set to open its 10th Oxygen park at Quayside, MediaCity in Manchester in February 2025 – find out more HERE.
Manchester City’s Nathan Aké donates piano to grassroots music venue
Thomas Melia
Footballer and Manchester City star Nathan Aké has donated a piano to an iconic city centre grassroots venue in Manchester.
To celebrate ‘International Piano Day’, the Dutch defender has teamed up with legendary instrument-makers Casio by donating a state-of-the-art piano in one very lucky music venue.
Aké and Casio are donating pianos across the UK through their joint project titled ‘Playing For Change’.
The iconic grassroots venue that’s receiving this prestigious instrument is none other than Band on the Wall, which has been pumping out live music under this name since 1975.
Processed with VSCO with kp5 presetProcessed with VSCO with kp5 presetCredit: Supplied
This new addition will help the venue as a whole, but more importantly, it will come in very handy for their Saturday Music Club.
Running every weekend, this session helps young people discover music and develop their skills, now via the fantastic PX-S7000 Casio piano.
Band on the Wall is a much-loved and adored Manchester city centremusic institution, and they aren’t the only place benefitting from the Manchester city star and Casio.
So far, 12 disadvantaged schools in the UK have benefitted from this joint effort from Aké and Casio, all of which were surprised with their very own digital piano.
This newest partnership won’t come as a surprise to fans of the Man City centre-back, as he’s been known to play the piano since teaching himself in 2020, and now he’s spreading his love of music to communities nationwide.
Neil Evans, Head of Casio EMI, commented:“It’s exciting for us to support Band on the Wall with a gift of a brand new Privia piano.”
“We’re hoping it’s used often and inspires people into learning the piano and increasing their access to the joys of music, which is at the core of Playing For Change.”
As for Aké, while he might be sidelined for the foreseeable following surgery on a fractured foot, the Netherlands international will hopefully be able to get lots of practice playing those keys.
Featured Images — Publicity Picture (via Supplied)/pantkiewicz (via Flickr)
Kids & Family
Greater Manchester cinemas to screen family-favourite films for just £2.50 this spring
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester cinemas will be screening family-favourite films, and some new releases, all throughout this upcoming spring holidays.
The best bit? Prices start from a massively-affordable £2.50 a ticket.
With Easter right around the corner, and schools across Greater Manchester set to be on their spring holidays in a couple of weeks time, parents and carers will likely be looking for ways to keep the kids entertained while schools are out.
But now it’s time to take care of those film lovers… and also those keen to plan budget-friendly events that also take into account the classic Manchester April showers.
Cinema chain Vue has announced its lineup of family blockbusters showing at venues across Greater Manchester this spring – including Printworks, Lowry, Bolton, Altrincham, and Bury.
Arriving in time for the school holidays, A Minecraft Movie welcomes fans to their favourite cubic wonderland, while the whole family can instead transport themselves into Disney’s reimagining of the 1937 classic Snow White if they’d prefer.
Also returning to the big screen are childhood classics like Wallace & Gromit: Curse of The Were-Rabbit, 20 years after its original release, and the beloved Babe, to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary.
Greater Manchester cinemas will be screening family-favourite films for just £2.50 this spring / Credit: Disney | Aardman Animations
And as part of Vue’s ‘Mighty Mornings’ offering, film fans can enjoy pre-releases of family-friendly flicks like Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Moana 2 every day throughout half term, all from just £2.49 per ticket when booked online.
“A trip to Vue this Easter break is the perfect opportunity for families to immerse themselves in the magic of their favourite big screen characters,” commented Rob Lea, who is the Head of Screen Content at Vue UK & Ireland.
Daisy Jackson -
24th January 2025 
