The Story Lab’s Michael Iskas & Fotini Paraskakis

The Story Lab President Michael Iskas and Fotini Paraskakis, executive VP of entertainment, talk to TV Formats about what’s cutting through in the way of entertainment, opportunities in the streaming space, the youngest Labs venture and more.

A few months ago, The Story Lab revealed a new partnership with youngest Media that established youngest Labs, with the aim to create ambitious global formats and digital-first content, as well as a consumer ventures program and brand-funded commissions. The two had previously partnered on the social-first dating show Date or Dump as well as the E4 dating series Game of Clones, which recently launched with a local version on RTL II in Germany. The Story Lab’s format catalog also boasts the worldwide hit Ninja Warrior, as well as the buzz-generating Evil Monkeys, which was launched at MIPCOM.

Part of the Dentsu Aegis Network, The Story Lab has been working to set itself apart in the marketplace by forging relationships with “the best creators around the world,” with a focus on funding, developing and distributing “entertainment properties that attract family audiences and millennial demographics,” according to Iskas. Paraskakis, former Endemol Shine Asia MD, joined The Story Lab last fall to help further these efforts. “Content is king and creators are queen,” she tells TV Formats.