David & Matthew Frank launch UK distributor Rocket Rights

David Frank

TRX founders David and Matthew Frank have launched a London-based distribution firm called Rocket Rights.

The company describes itself as a “next generation, multi-genre distributor” that will work with producers to take content worldwide.

It says it uses technology “to streamline the sales and marketing process” and aims to compete by offering “highly competitive terms”, with standard commission for rights holders standing at “19% all in”.

Former Zodiak Media CEO David Frank is chairman at the recently launched company, while former Zodiak Rights chief Matthew Frank is CEO. Its slate includes factual series such as Maximus Films’ Mega Manufacturing and Dreamcars – Inside the Factory from Germany’s WeltN24, as well as Viaplay drama Orca and Novel Entertainment’s classic kids show Fimbles.

Rocket Rights’ staff includes Beyond Media’s former SVP of sales for German-speaking Europe, Scandinavia & Iberia Anne-Marie Pardoe, who left the Australian company last year, and ex-Endemol Shine International sales exec Katie Stephenson.

Matthew Frank

Rocket Rights, whose launch was first reported by C21, will also operate as a sister company to Rights Booster, which focuses entirely on exploiting rights on VOD platforms. The firm was previously known as Benmore Media and was founded by former Kew Media SVP of sales Mark Benmore, selling docs, unscripted series and scripted shows.

Rocket Rights is the first venture for the Frank brothers since they stepped back from online distributor TRX in late 2019.

David Frank previously launched RDF Media in 1993, which his brother Matthew joined a year later. The company was subsequently sold to De Agostini and became part of Zodiak Media.