Ex-Zodiak boss Frank’s new firm outlines plan

Former Zodiak Media boss David Frank has outlined plans for his new content company, Dial Square 86, placing technology at the core of its proposition.

The firm, which Frank will lead as CEO, will look to build a group of established companies, start-ups and ‘early stage businesses with high growth potential”, primarily in the US and UK.

Investment will go into developing “multi-genre” content across platforms, integrating technology into content, and businesses whose goals align with Dial Square’s management team.

“Where traditional broadcasters and producers have been slow to react to this transformation, Dial Square 86 embraces the changes that global technology giants such as Google, Amazon and Netflix have brought about, understanding that exclusive, compelling content still remains vital to attract and maintain audiences,” said Frank.

The company has today unveiled its first acquisition, Red Hare Digital, a talent agency that manages YouTube beauty and fashion talent. Furthermore, it has also named a CFO, Goldcrest Media and Orchard Capital founder Adam Kulick.

Former Zodiak bosses Nigel Pickard and Matthew Frank (David Frank’s brother), and ex-Ludorum, Sprout and HIT Entertainment chief Charlie Caminada have already been named as directors, while former BBC, ITV and Zodiak exec James Duffen has been named head of business development. Sarah Ireland is head of operations.

“The TV content business has changed beyond all recognition, with online video broadcast transforming the viewing experience, and new creators on platforms like YouTube expanding the definition of entertainment content,” said Frank, who was the founding CEO of the merged RDF Media and Zodiak Entertainment.

He exited Zodiak last year and was replaced by Marc-Antoine d’Halluin.

Read TBI’s extensive report into the emerging ‘new world order’ in the content game in TBI’s October/November MIPCOM edition