Compact Pictures launches young adult TV offshoot
Scottish film producer Compact Pictures has launched a young adult-oriented scripted TV arm, Compact Vibe, and is routing its features through new label Compact Films.
Sychronicity Films' Laura McBride will across both labels as head of development on a slate that current includes drama series Chosen - a co-production between Compact Vibe and Canada's Reel One Entertainment - and Compact Films' The Empty Space Inside My Heart.
McBride previously spanned dramas such as BBC1's 2018 series The Cry and feature film Only You, working with creative director and founder Claire Mundell.
Compact is run by writer/director John McKay, whose credits include Kudos' BBC1 series Life on Mars and CBBC series Katy.
Universal launches multi-platform content studio
Former BBC Children's boss Alice Webb is to head a music-based visual storytelling 'multi-faceted content studio' within the Universal Music Group.
Mercury Studios will produce factual, reality and scripted shows, develop artist and film-maker partnerships and create podcast and short-form formats.
Eagle Rock Entertainment, the Universal film and TV arm currently run by Webb, is to be housed within the new business.
She reports into Universal Music UK chair and chief executive David Joseph.
Argonon buys branded content agency
Argonon, the company behind indie labels Windfall Films, Leopard and Bandicoot, has bought branded content agency Nemorin Film & Video.
The acquisition of the agency, which has clients such as Amazon, Hugo Boss and McDonald's, follows the closure of Argonon producer label Transparent TV and disposal of Barefaced TV, which was subsequently picked up by STV Studios.
Speaking to Broadcast, Argonon chief executive James Burstall said his company was now "the word's first hyper-converged super-indie", with Nemorin positioned to work with his roster of indie labels on feature docs and formats.
Little Dot rejigs as co-founders step back
The co-founders of All3Media-backed producer Little Dot are to step back, with Selma Turajlic leaving the company and Andy Taylor becoming non-executive chair.
Director of content Dan Jones becomes chief executive, taking over from Taylor, while chief financial officer Kevin Gibbons steps into Turajlic's former position of chief operating officer.
Meanwhile, Holly Graham, who oversees the US hub, is returning to the UK to become chief business officer, creative director Tom Hemsley has been promoted to executive creative director, while Wayne Davison, managing director of distribution, becomes chief sales officer and international managing director.
