18 May BAFTA-Nominated British Director Oliver Parker Launches Production Outfit With Former Red Arrow Studios Boss James Baker & Metro International Partner Sam Parker; Anyway Content Takes 10-Strong Slate To Mip TV
EXCLUSIVE: BAFTA-nominated St. Trinian’s, Johnny English Reborn and An Ideal Husband director Oliver Parker has launched a production shingle with former Red Arrow Studios CEO James Baker and Metro International Partner Sam Parker, and the outfit is taking a packed slate to Mip TV.
Anyway Content opened quietly several months ago and is leading its 10-strong Cannes slate with Influencer Inc., a business format developed with Forbes Content and LA-based digital agency G & B Digital Management.
The London-based 10-staff indie is developing multi-genre shows targeted at a range of platforms and networks and said it is currently working with a range of established and emerging talent.
Oliver Parker, an esteemed British director with a wealth of feature credits including the BAFTA-nominated An Ideal Husband, is Creative Director.
Baker, a veteran UK exec who departed Red Arrow Studios two years ago and used to be a Sky Controller, is Chair, and Sam Parker, Productions and Acquisitions Partner for sales house Metro International, is CEO.
The trio retain existing interests and projects, which could feed into Anyway’s work. Oliver Parker is currently working on Pathé’s The Great Escaper starring Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson.
Represented in Cannes by Anyway’s EVP, Content Francesca Johnson and Development Executive, Creative and Strategy Victoria Fäh, the company is hitting the market with a range of formats including Influencer Inc..
That buzzy show will see digital talent challenged to make more of an impact than mere endorsement as it places them within established businesses that are yet to leverage the full potential of social media.
“The influencer sector can be seen as purely promotional but with Influencer Inc. we have a format that challenges and explores their entrepreneurial spirit in an entertaining and insightful way,” said Johnson.
Influencer Inc. is led on behalf of all parties by Anyway’s Johnson, Forbes Executive Director of Film, Television and Audio, Travis Collins, G&B Digital Management’s lead advisor and CEO BrainTrust Kendra Bracken-Ferguson, along with Founder/CEO Kyle Hjelmeseth.
Also heading to Mip from Anyway is yacht-based reality wedding format ‘Til Deck Us Do Part and factual series Forbidden Faiths, spotlighting religion and worship in the Black diaspora.