Celebrity Dreams Come True for Global Agency

In one of its signature buzz-generating marketing stunts, Global Agency invited a bevy of buyers (and select members of the press) to Saint-Tropez during MIPCOM to launch what was billed as a “top secret” format. At the event, Celebrity Dreams was revealed, quickly generating interest, including from the U.S. market. “We decided to move forward with the best production company in the U.S., Propagate,” says Izzet Pinto, founder and CEO of Global Agency. “We are working closely with them, and we are hoping that in 2025 the format will be launched.”

“We also received huge interest from Europe and the CIS,” Pinto adds. “Right after MIPCOM, we closed our second deal with Romania, and we are looking to close deals in the CIS, Italy and the Middle East. So, the interest is growing every week, and I’m sure that after the first edition in one of the above countries, the format will sell very fast.”

Pinto is enthusiastic that “if you can create the right emotion during a format, it works. And Celebrity Dreams actually combines two things: one, the very emotional journey of a dream, and two, the most important thing, is celebrity. So, when celebrity meets dreams, it’s the perfect combination to create the best emotions out of a person.”

In each episode, a famous person lives out a secretly cherished fantasy that reminds us we are all chasing a dream. The action begins at the star’s home with the story of their journey to fame, before the big reveal of their hidden fantasy. They may want to track down their first love or meet up with a mentor who inspired them. Maybe they long to be an actor, singer or artist or to meet someone they have always admired from afar.

“Many people believe that the stars have achieved all their successes and have a very glorious life,” Pinto says. “But on the contrary, many celebrities go through difficult moments. It could be mental health problems or coping with fame. I believe that digging into their lives, finding out their dreams and achieving these dreams [will] be the perfect show for an audience.”

Pinto has high expectations for the year ahead for the formats business. “I believe that 2025 can be our best year for formats,” he says. “We have invested a lot, especially in Global Agency’s original ideas, and now we are seeing the success stories of all the investments we have [made] until now.”

In the last year, format commissions have seen both challenges and opportunities in response to the changing media landscape, he adds. “The market has been adjusting to evolving viewer habits, especially with the continued rise of streaming platforms and shifts in audience preferences. There has been a notable focus on unscripted formats, particularly reality TV and game shows, as broadcasters and streaming services look for cost-effective, flexible programming that can appeal to broad, diverse audiences. Local adaptations of international formats have remained strong, but there has also been growing interest in creating original, fresh formats that can stand out in an increasingly saturated market.”

For the year ahead, Pinto anticipates a continued push toward innovation in formats. “Sustainability and inclusivity are likely to become even more important in both the types of content commissioned and the way it’s produced,” he adds. “Overall, while competition for commissions will remain fierce, the demand for fresh, adaptable and audience-focused formats will continue to shape the landscape in the coming year. That’s why we are very excited about our formats like Good Singers and Celebrity Dreams.”