DRG Ties Up with Factual Specialist Thoroughly Modern Media

LONDON: DRG has entered into a two-year first-look deal with factual producer Thoroughly Modern Media (TMM).

TMM—the executive team at which boasts Alison Sharman, the former head of commissioning at SBS Australia, as creative director—is best known for its programming featuring chef Heston Blumenthal. This includes Heston’s Dinner in Space and Inside Heston’s World. In addition to partnering with Blumenthal, the TMM team has worked across a number of high-profile food titles, including Masterchef and Saturday Kitchen. The company was founded in 2014 by BAFTA-, Emmy- and RTS award-winning director Jay Taylor.

Katy Cundall, the senior VP of acquisitions at DRG, said: “Jay and Alison are a formidable team and really know what it takes to engage an audience. TMM’s productions sit in an interesting space between conventional factual and entertainment and allow us to take something very different out to the international marketplace. There is a brilliant slate of projects already in development and I can’t wait to see what other new ideas evolve over time.

“DRG has represented some of Thoroughly Modern Media’s titles over the past year or so and we have used that time wisely, really getting to know each other well. We are confident that this slow ‘courtship’ is the perfect foundation for a successful and enduring relationship.”

Taylor, Thoroughly Modern Media’s managing director, added: “DRG has proved itself in securing excellent deals for our existing content but it was the team’s industry knowledge, passion for TV and it’s wholehearted support for our future ambitions that makes them such a good fit for us in the longer term. We thoroughly enjoy working with Katy and the team, we value their creative and commercial input and genuinely believe that this new partnership with DRG will play an instrumental role in helping to develop and grow our business.”