BBC Studios has backed Jolly Octopus, a production company founded by The Late Late Show with James Coden executive producer James Longman and Ollie Brack, a former Monkey executive.Longman, who was an integral part of the Emmy-winning success of The Late Late Show, and Brack will develop entertainment shows for global audiences. BBC Studios will take a slice of the IP and distribution rights. Financial terms were not disclosed.Brack, the former head of entertainment and comedy at NBC-backed Monkey, and Longman first met while working at MTV in 2001. “We have always believed TV has a big part to play in people’s lives and we have big ambitions to build a production studio with a creative-first culture that producers, talent and partners want to work with and bring their creativity to,” the duo said. 4-The deal was brokered by Sumi Connock, BBC Studios creative director, and Daniel Thomas, head of commercial and acquisitions. Jolly Octopus was repped by Harbottle & Lewis.Jolly Octopus has also signed an agreement with Matisse, Nick Curwin and Scarlett Ewens’s UK-based indie advisory service, which has a minority stake in the new venture and will be providing strategic and commercial support.
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