Ex-Monkey head and ex-Talkback exec set up with BBCS

Monkey Kingdom US’ former head of entertainment and comedy Ollie Brack and former Talkback Productions head of programmes James Longman have set up an indie with backing from BBC Studios.  

BBCS Global Entertainment has agreed a partnership deal with LA-based Jolly Octopus Media, which will develop international entertainment formats. In return, BBCS will share IP of these formats along with distribution rights.   

Both execs are from the UK and now live in LA. They met while working at MTV in 2001, and Longman went on to become the two-time Emmy winning executive producer of The Late Late Show with James Corden (CBS), Friends: The Reunion (Fulwell 73) and the Jamie Foxx Netflix special What Had Happened Was (Foxxhole Productions/ Done + Dusted). 

He was series producer of Talkback’s Never Mind The Buzzcocks and The Rob Brydon Show and briefly became the company’s head of programmes in 2015 before moving to the States. 

Brack co-created, sold and oversaw a slate of returning shows and international format sales - such as The Question Jury, Don’t Hate The Playaz and The Emily Atack Show - over 11 years at Monkey Kingdom. He relocated to LA in 2020 to launch and run the indie’s first US office. 

He previously spent three years as an exec producer at Talkback. He won a Bafta in 2010 for Children’s Award Best Entertainment for CBBC show Relic: Guardians of the Museum.  

Brack and Longman said: “This company is something very special to us and we’re thrilled to be launching in partnership with BBC Studios to make joyful, entertainment formats with our colleagues and partners in London and Los Angeles.  

“We have always believed TV has a big part to play in people’s lives and we have big ambitions to build a production studio with a creative-first culture that producers, talent and partners want to work with and bring their creativity to.” 

Managing director at BBCS Global Entertainment Matt Forde said: “Ollie and James are brilliant creatives and bring to the partnership a great track record in developing entertaining content with top tier talent that appeals to all audiences. BBC Studios are delighted to be joining forces with Jolly Octopus in this new venture and look forward to working together on some exciting new projects.” 

The deal was brokered on behalf of BBCS by creative director Sumi Connock and head of commercial and acquisitions Daniel Thomas, and on behalf of Jolly Octopus by partner Sarah Lazarides and associate at Harbottle & Lewis Minty Hamer. 

Jolly Octopus has also signed an agreement with Matisse, Nick Curwin and Scarlett Ewens’s UK-based indie advisory service, which has a minority stake in the new venture and will be providing strategic and commercial support.