Crossword Genius

Animated spokesman at the centre, produces this (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

makes

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'this' is the definition.
The definition and answer are not the same part of speech.

'animated spokesman at the centre' is the wordplay.
'animated' becomes 'ma' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'at the centre' indicates the central letters.
The centre of 'spokesman' is 'kes'.
'ma'+'kes'='MAKES'

'produces' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for makes that I've seen before include "Builds" , "Forms" , "Fabricates or comples" , "Creates" , "Constructs" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app