"Chloe"
Banijay UK has acquired Mam Tor Productions, the high-end drama producer founded by renowned producer Tally Garner. With a focus on high end, contemporary and original returning series, and working predominantly with new talent, women and other underrepresented groups, Mam Tor’s latest series, six-part original drama “Chloe,” was a hit for BBC One earlier in the year and subject to a pre-sale bidding war before being acquired by Prime Video.
Mam Tor Productions is the first company to be acquired by Banijay in the UK since it acquired Endemol Shine in 2020, and its first scripted acquisition in the UK. Banijay Rights will have a first look deal on all future projects as part of the deal.
“‘I’m so excited to be welcoming Mam Tor to Banijay UK. Tally is an exceptional talent who has developed a brilliantly curated slate, working with some of the most exciting writers. ‘Chloe’ was a superb piece that Banijay Rights were able to partner on and our investment in Mam Tor builds on that brilliant relationship. I want Banijay UK to be a home where great talent get to make their very best work, so Tally and Morven, her Head of Development, are truly welcome. We can’t wait for the next chapter of Mam Tor’s journey and are delighted to help facilitate that,” said Patrick Holland, CEO of Banijay UK.
“Talent sit at the heart of this business. From brilliant talent, brilliant ideas are born, and in growing our collective, we strive to further strengthen our world-class portfolio of IP. Tally is a great addition as we continue to build our capabilities in the scripted space, and we welcome her to the group,” added Marco Bassetti, CEO of Banijay Group.
Meanwhile, Tally Garner, CEO, Founder and Executive Producer at Mam Tor, declared: “Banijay Rights and Cathy Payne are the most amazing partners for ‘Chloe’ that I could have wished for, and Morven and I are absolutely thrilled to be joining the Banijay UK team and their utterly inspirational CEO, Patrick Holland. We love our projects so much, and with his expertise and support are truly excited to begin the next chapter for Mam Tor with Banijay UK.”
● MASTERING THE TV FORMATS OF TOMORROW
In other company news, Banijay announced that, following strong previous results, the City of Cannes, the Cannes Lérins Agglomeration, Université Côte d’Azur and Banijay are strengthening this collaboration and launching “Mastering the TV Formats of Tomorrow: Creation and Development” at the Georges Méliès Campus, located in Cannes la Bocca.
Since 2020, Cannes City Hall, Université Côte d’Azur and Banijay, have partnered on a three-week intensive content writing residency entitled “Content Creatives Incubator,” intended to attract and develop talent in the unscripted format creation space. The new and unique Masters, supported by the University School of Arts and Humanities research of Université Côte d’Azur, aims to train French and international students, in the creation of new original television formats.
This bilingual course with an international dimension will comprise academic courses (creativity, project management, marketing, legal skills, etc.) taught by research professors from Université Côte d’Azur and practical teaching (knowledge of the global content and formats market, ability to respond to a creative brief, mastering the pitch, production of trailers etc.) led by Banijay’s global representatives. Balancing masterclasses, themed workshops and immersion periods within the flagship events of Cannes, (Mipcom, MIPTV, Canneseries), the Masters will provide a mix designed to expertly develop the creativity and skills of students.
David Lisnard, Mayor of Cannes and President of the Cannes Lérins Agglomeration, commented: “The Georges Méliès Campus is a key element of our strategy to develop the creative industries sector in the Cannes region. Today, in order to strengthen our offering in higher education, we are launching, with Banijay, a unique course in France dedicated to the development of original formats and the production of trailers and pilots."
“We are constantly exploring new ways to widen our talent pool and bring new voices into our industry worldwide. Via this unique partnership, which builds on the previous success of the Content Creatives Incubator, we have no doubt we will continue to expand our best-in-class collective of developers and producers. Spurring innovation and inspiration across our footprint, this next generation will be key to driving the IP of tomorrow, which can travel and entertain audiences across the world,” Marco Bassetti concluded.