Industry Vets Launch Micro-Drama Studio

Industry veterans Kelly Luegenbiehl, Jon Koa and Onur Güvenatam have teamed up to open Shorties Studios, a global production company focused on producing commercial mobile-first short-form vertical video series.

“With Shorties, we’re building a studio focused on world-class short-form series that will live across multiple platforms and reach audiences in ways they never could before,” Koa said. “What excites me is bringing the same discipline, thoughtfulness and creative ambition I’ve had throughout my career into a space that’s growing at remarkable speed. Vertical storytelling, with its real-time data and analytics, gives us clear signals not only on what resonates but also where the opportunities for virality, brand partnerships and full 360-degree monetization truly live.”

“I’ve seen how effective short-form and branded content can be, and this next chapter lets us build in that world with intention, craft and world-class partners,” Koa continued.

“When I left legacy media ten years ago to pioneer international content for Netflix, no one could have imagined the impact non-English language content would have on the world, transforming TV consumption as we know it,” commented Luegenbiehl. “Today, I see that same potential with vertical content. We want to meet audiences where they are and once again help shape the next evolution of storytelling with vertical premium generated content (PGC). Verticals are the moment!”

“With OGM Pictures, we have proven that Turkish storytelling can resonate powerfully across the world—from local sensations to global hits, reaching audiences in more than one hundred countries,” commented Güvenatam. “Today, audience behavior is shifting once again, and with Shorties Studios, we are stepping confidently into that next frontier. Our ambition is to bring the same emotional depth, creative boldness and global reach into a new format that audiences consume with everyday short-form stories crafted with premium quality.”

The company has operations spanning Los Angeles, London and Istanbul.