Anthony Kimble’s Fugitive moves for NENT format chief

UK-based production and financing company Fugitive has appointed the VP of formats at Nordic Entertainment (NENT) Group to oversee its unscripted output.

Merrily Ross will become exec VP of non-scripted content at Fugitive, which was launched in March by Anthony Kimble and is focused on content development and financing.

She will start on September 1 and work with Kimble to grow the non-scripted side of the business, focusing primarily on consultancy and development for producers, as well as distribution, co-production and pre-sale strategies.

Ross had overseen formats at NENT Group (formerly known as MTG) since 2013, working with both UK-based and international content producers to source and develop formats, including Red Arrow International’s Buying Blind and ITV Studio’s Love Island, for the company’s channels across Europe.

Prior to that, she was VP of format sales at ITV Studios, responsible for the international roll-out of shows such as Come Dine With Me and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, and has also worked for broadcasters including ITV, BBC and Channel 5.

Kimble said: “Merrily is one of the leading lights in the international formats business and has the most incredible experience, gleaned from working in major companies and across some of the best known brands in the marketplace.”

Ross added: “Fugitive is successfully plugging a gap in the market for nimble, 360-degree content support, and has got off to a flying start with wonderful clients and exciting projects. I am thrilled to join the business in its early days; I’ve known Anthony for a number of years and really look forward to working with him to build Fugitive.”

In related news, Fugitive has struck two deals to represent new factual content for launch at Mipcom.

The first deal is with Critical Content in the US, with Fugitive seeking pre-sales for its 8 x 60 minute documentary series K9 – Police Dog Boot Camp, which is being co-produced with Dana Brunetti’s (Captain Philips, The Social Network) and Keegan Rosenberger’s Cavalry Media. The second deal is with the UK’s Outline Productions for an as yet undisclosed series.