Helen Jackson, Damian Keogh, Simon Vaughan re-team to launch The Story Company backed by Endeavor Content
The Story Company is a new UK-based global content studio, set up to back both script development and new production company start-ups in scripted television.
The Story Company is working with ambitious creatives to help acquire rights, commission scripts, package projects and manage the sales process. This flexible business model allows it to work with other production entities, as well as directly with both established and emerging creators and writers.
Backed to make expansive moves by Endeavor Content, The Story Company is also planning to make equity investments into content businesses, ranging from start-ups to more established producers. The aim is to build a family of creative partnerships into a boutique portfolio, with a focus on driving global projects out of the UK market and unearthing the next generation of storytellers by taking risks on new and emerging talent.
The executive management of The Story Company is led by:
Damian Keogh, who leaves his role as Managing Director of Lookout Point to join as CEO;
Helen Jackson, the former Content Chief of BBC Worldwide as Executive Chair;
Simon Vaughan, drama production veteran and founder of Lookout Point as Executive Director;
Joining the board as Non-Executive Directors are Jonathan Norman (MD at global investment bank GCA Altium) and Chris Rice (Co-President of Endeavor Content).
The founders bring market-leading experience in production, distribution, talent management and financing to the venture, which will offer new partnership opportunities for writers and creative producers who want to harness a deep network of platform relationships and robust deal making know-how.
The founding team have a long history of working together - Keogh and Vaughan were both at Lookout Point, with Jackson on the board on behalf of BBC. Jonathan Norman served as an advisor to the company from start-up through to its final sale to BBC Studios. Over more than a decade, the team were instrumental in the growth of Lookout Point into one of the UK’s leading production companies, with a reputation for inventive deal-making and co-production underpinning a number of landmark, writer-driven series.
CEO, Damian Keogh says: “We are carefully crafting a welcoming and exciting company, specifically for UK creative talent. Inspired by our passion for storytelling, we want to build a patient, flexible and ambitious home where our talent partners can thrive. With Endeavor Content behind us, we are supported by a creative global powerhouse that shares our ambitions and will provide the support and resources we need.”
Executive Director, Simon Vaughan says: “It’s a thrill to be putting the ‘band back together’ and to fill a gap in the market for independent creatives who want us to help them to get their projects made, as well as for creatives within established media groups who may wish to use our skills. We are that truly independent partner who can bring insight and impetus across the platform landscape.”
Executive Chair, Helen Jackson says: “Having experienced the growth of the Indie sector through my time at the BBC, it is exciting to now bring a globally-focused opportunity to the UK sector, whilst remaining a fierce champion of British creativity. We believe that the strength of this team and the impact we can have for our talent partners is second to none.”
EC’s Co-Presidents Chris Rice & Graham Taylor say: “We are excited for Damian, Simon and Helen to contribute their extensive experience discovering and nurturing dynamic, talented creators as they embark on launching The Story Company. This collaboration presents an ideal opportunity to develop premium scripted content from the best of British storytellers.”