Amcomri, whose other entertainment investments include 101 Films, 101 International and Hollywood Classics, has provided Abacus Media Rights with a substantial funding line to support the initial rights acquisitions. Paul McGowan, Chairman of Amcomri, will sit on the board of AMR together with Jonathan Ford (formerly Executive Vice President, Sales at Kew Media Distribution) and also Larry Howard (Director, Amcomri) and Andy Lyon (Managing Director, 101 Films).
AMR will initially focus on distributing documentary features and series, non-scripted and drama series. The company has already acquired the rights to a strong roster of shows to represent on the international markets including CBC’s drama series "Trickster", produced by Sienna Films and Sundance Alumni creator Michelle Latimer of Streel Films and based on bestselling trilogy Son of a Trickster by Eden Robinson; Emmy award-winning director and producer Dan Reed’s "Superbug" for HBO and BBC in association with Wellcome Trust and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios and Channel 4’s "Liberty City"; Essential Media’s series "Rhys Darby in Japan" and "This Could Go Anywhere" starring cricketers Brendon McCullum and Phil Tufnell, as well as documentary features "People You May Know" from Metrotone Media, a new entity from filmmaker Katharina Viken and disinformation expert Dr. Charles Kriel, "Nike’s Big Bet" from producer Corey Russell (Killing Patient Zero) and Paul Kemp Productions, which uncovers the truth behind the fall of legendary coach Alberto Salazar, "My Name is Bulger" from Fine Point Films in Belfast, directed by Brendan J. Byrne (66 Days) and another documentary focusing on the use of informers at a US College produced by Trevor Birney (No Stone Unturned).
AMR has also recruited Anton Romalijski (Director of Sales), Lesley Whittock (Director of Marketing & Acquisitions) and Claire Hoskin (Director of Business Affairs) to join the team.
Paul McGowan, Chairman, Amcomri comments “Having fostered close producer and sales partnerships over decades, Jonathan is absolutely the right person to penetrate the international TV market with Abacus Media Rights. I am confident the company is already strongly positioned to acquire and deliver high-quality, multi-genre slates of programming, which will be made available to audiences worldwide.”
“This is a competitive industry and I wanted to set up a company which is streamlined and innovative, an open and fully transparent organisation. With a respected, experienced team working alongside me, and with the backing of Amcomri, we are looking forward to working with great production companies, building strong partnerships and launching into the content market with some essential viewing. Our focus will not just be distribution but also working with production partners to get titles pre-sold and set up with financing,” said Jonathan Ford, Managing Director at AMR.
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