The Wrong Guy - identity crisis at the BBC

BBC New 24's coverage of the recent court case between the Beatles' record label, Apple Corps Ltd. and the computer firm, Apple Computer, Inc. was as comprehensive and professional as usual - until they suffered a case of mistaken identify!

The corporation had invited the journalist and author of newswireless.net to express his views on the verdict, but somehow, while the real Guy Kewney (pictured right) waited in the green room, they managed to get completely the "wrong guy" in front of the cameras - the look of terror on his face when he was introduced was priceless!...

But I have to say, the poor chap muddled through the interview in fine style; if you'd like to watch it, here it is!

Perhaps there's a clue to the reason he remained so unflappable in this gentleman's true identity.  At first it was reported that he was a London cabbie, at the BBC perhaps to collect Guy Kewney, but the truth is better than that: it turns out that the man featured in the interview is Guy Goma, a business Studies Graduate from the Congo who was in reception because he was applying for a high-level job at the BBC.  Apparantly Mr. Goma assumed that the whole thing was part of the recruitment process, but was "a little upset" that nobody asked him about his own area of expertise.

And what is Guy Coma's particular area of expertise? I'm pleased to reveal that it's Data Cleansing!  Well Guy, I hope you got the job in the end, I'm sure the BBC could use your experience, but failing that there might be an opening on "Working Lunch"!

Comments

[Larry English]

Thanks, Steve, for this real world Information Quality problem.
I am curious, however. Is data cleansing what BBC needs? No amount of cleansing can undo the interview and its consequences.
What BBC really needs is "Information Defect Prevention," including techniques like full identify verification, not just first name, as appears to be the precipitating cause.

[Steve Webster]

Just goes to show how easy it is to create data quality issues at point of capture.

Are Guy Goma and Guy Coma the same Guy? We demand to be told :o)