Tag Archives: Creative Artists Agency

BBC Studios, EbonyLife strike partnership

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BBC Studios Drama Productions has struck a development partnership with Mo Abudu, founder and CEO of Nigerian entertainment company EbonyLife Media.

Mo Abudu

Under the deal, which was brokered by US talent agency Creative Artists Agency, BBC Studios Drama Productions and EbonyLife Media will develop a new action-adventure series called Reclaim.

The six-part heist thriller is written by Bafta Breakthrough Brit Rowan Athale (The Rise, Strange But True, Little America). It is based on an original idea by Abudu, Heidi Uys and Bode Asiyanbi and tells the story of a team of art thieves looking to return artworks stolen 125 years ago by the British Empire to their rightful home in Nigeria.

“Reclaim is our first big-budget, global series, set partly in the UK. It is a dream come true for two reasons – first, it is a partnership with BBC Studios; second, the project will debut under EbonyLife Productions UK,” said Abudu, who is a former winner of MipTV’s Médailles d’Honneur and is speaking this week at Content London.

“We set up EbonyLife in London because our global strategy includes expansion to the UK and the US. As Nigerians and Africans, we should see ourselves as world citizens and our storytelling, locations and networks should extend to every corner of the globe. I am delighted with this opportunity to extend our reach into the UK with a great story and a formidable partner.”

BBC Studios head of drama Priscilla Paris added: “Reclaim’s breathtaking action-adventure is underpinned by thoughtful and timely themes and declares our shared intention to create stories which have both local and international resonance. Rowan Athale is the perfect writer to bring this story to life, having written both commercial hits and arthouse breakouts.”

The BBC Studios deal comes after EbonyLife and Sony Pictures Television unveiled a first-look deal in February this year as well as plans to set up a new African writers’ initiative called Àló in September.

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Nigeria’s Comic Republic signs with CAA

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Nigeria-based publisher of African comic books Comic Republic has signed a deal with one of the top three talent agencies in the world, Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in Los Angeles.

Jide Martin

Comic Republic will be represented by CAA to identify and create opportunities for the publisher in film and television, both live-action and animation, as well as in publishing, games, public speaking and consumer products.

Comic Republic founder Jide Martin announced the news on Instagram, saying: “I’m thrilled to announce our representation by Creative Artists Agency. We invested some time in finding the right strategic agency that understands our vision, can further represent us, and distribute our stories where it matters.

“Our goal has always been to develop African content for a global audience, and I am delighted that this representation will see to it that more people experience our unique universe of authentic African stories.”

Comic Republic publishes comic books featuring African superheroes. Its line-up of superheroes include Ireti Moremi, Amadioha and Guardian Prime Genesis. The Comic Republic universe is made up of more than 200 characters and draws its stories both from Africa’s history and myths, as well as a vision of Africa’s future, informed by a strong contemporary sensibility.

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