Ex-BBCWW, All3 execs create indie

Former BBC Worldwide and All3Media executives have formed an independent production firm, Raconteur Associates.

William Miller, former global head of talent at the BBC’s commercial arm, and All3’s ex-group head of entertainment and formats, Ruth Wrigley (pictured), are behind the venture, which will focus on developing and producing high-end unscripted programming and formats for UK and international broadcasters.

Raconteur will focus on retaining intellectual property, while also working with third party production firms and broadcasters. The firm will initially look at coproductions, but will retain a hands-on executive production role on each project.

Miller, who will be CEO, will also use his experience in talent and brands to offer comprehensive management services. He and creative director Wrigley hope this means they can offer broadcasters a full-service package for new entertainment shows.

“The idea is to offer high-end, channel defining formats rather than focus on production,” said Miller. “Broadcasters have a real hunger for these ideas, but are often loathed to commission young new indies. This model enables us to offer them something new and of scale, but to work with the best people for the job, be that in-house or a favoured existing indie.”

Raconteur already has a “broad” development slate, and is discussions with “a number” of broadcasters and producers. A national UK broadcaster has also put one high-end factual series into paid development, and talks with international distributors have begun.

Miller left BBCWW last year to set up Raconteur. Before joining the BBC, he launched Pabulum with celebrity chef Nigella Lawson and produced her cooking shows. He also ran indie Uden Associates as managing director for more than ten years.

Wrigley is best known as co-creator of The Only Way is Essex, and produced the first three seasons of Big Brother in the UK. Before working at All3, she had held roles at Endemol (now Endemol Shine Group), FremantleMedia, Talkback Thames (now Talkback), and the BBC.