Liberty Global and TPG Growth, the middle market and growth equity platform of alternative asset firm TPG, will launch a global television production and distribution studio to be called Platform One Media.
Platform One Media is to be led by industry veteran and former CEO of Gaumont Television, and more recently head of global live action television for Dreamworks Animation, Katie O’Connell Marsh.
TPG Growth will fund their investment through Evolution Media, an investment partnership with CAA and Participant Media. Liberty Global will initially be taking a minority equity stake in the business, attributed to Liberty Global Group. Additional terms of the investment were not disclosed.
The independent, start-up studio will curate, develop, produce, and distribute high-quality scripted programming for the US and international markets.
“TPG Growth has a history of identifying and building companies, such as STX Entertainment, that can redefine their categories,” said Bill McGlashan, founder and managing Partner of TPG Growth.
“Working with our partners at Evolution Media, we look forward to leveraging our collective experiences and networks in the entertainment space to build this business with Katie and her team.”
“Platform One Media has the key ingredients Liberty Global values in a strategic asset: great leadership, a clear vision and aligned, well capitalized partners,” said Bruce Mann, Chief Programming Officer at Liberty Global.
“It also gives us the opportunity to work with world-class talent creating high-quality scripted programming which could potentially feature on Liberty Global’s pay-TV platforms in Europe. We are fortunate to have Katie O’Connell Marsh bringing her vision, drive and creative track record, and to be working with TPG Growth, who we view as a natural strategic partner.”
“The explosion of original content globally is creating an opportunity for new, innovative, and diverse ways to engage audiences beyond the series itself,” said O’Connell Marsh.
With Platform One Media, and our partners TPG Growth and Liberty Global, we are perfectly positioned to develop and distribute compelling narratives that are artistic, meaningful and addictive by working closely with innovative, inspiring talent to bring to life their creative visions.”
Additional appointments to the Platform One Media executive team include: Courtney Conte, who most recently served as President of Slingshot Global Media, will be Chief Operating Officer (COO) and President.
Elisa Ellis, who most recently served as the Head of Creative for the Live Action Television division of Dreamworks Animation, will be joining as Chief Creative Officer.
Erik Pack will join Platform One Media as Head of Distribution & Co-Production based in London. Pack most recently served as President of International Distribution & Co-production at Gaumont Television.
Neil Strum, who most recently served as Head of Business and Legal Affairs for Slingshot Global Media, will take on the same position at Platform One Media.
Also working with the team is Julia Franz, former Head of Creative at ABC Studios, who will serve as a consultant for the new company.
As part of its launch, Platform One Media has acquired the portfolio of development projects from Slingshot Global Media and retired the Slingshot brand.
