BBC Studios Teams with Jolly Octopus Media

BBC Studios has entered into a partnership deal with Jolly Octopus Media, a new production company founded by Emmy and BAFTA winners Ollie Brack and James Longman.

With backing from BBC Studios Global Entertainment, Jolly Octopus will develop entertainment formats with an eye on the international market. BBC Studios will share IP of these formats along with distribution rights.

Longman is a two-time Emmy-winning executive producer of The Late Late Show with James Corden, Carpool Karaoke: McCartney Live from Liverpool and the Jamie Foxx Netflix special What Had Happened Was, among others. Before moving to LA, he was head of programs at Talkback Productions.

BAFTA-winning executive producer Brack was head of entertainment and comedy at Monkey Kingdom, where he co-created, sold and oversaw a slate of returning shows and international format sales such as The Question Jury, Don’t Hate The Playaz and The Emily Atack Show. In LA, he launched and ran Monkey’s first U.S. office.

Brack and Longman said: “This company is something very special to us, and we’re thrilled to be launching in partnership with BBC Studios to make joyful entertainment formats with our colleagues and partners in London and Los Angeles. We have always believed TV has a big part to play in people’s lives, and we have big ambitions to build a production studio with a creative-first culture that producers, talent and partners want to work with and bring their creativity to.”

Matt Forde, managing director of BBC Studios Global Entertainment, added: “Ollie and James are brilliant creatives and bring to the partnership a great track record in developing entertaining content with top-tier talent that appeals to all audiences. BBC Studios are delighted to be joining forces with Jolly Octopus in this new venture and look forward to working together on some exciting new projects.”