Production houses Whisper Cymru and Lens 360 join forces

Whisper’s Wales office, Whisper Cymru and production company Lens 360 have combined businesses. The agreement brings together Lens 360’s Welsh Rugby experience, branded content and strong links into Welsh sport, with Whisper Cymru’s infrastructure and International sport production experience.

All Lens 360 and Whisper Cymru team members have been retained, while Lens 360 will now become part of Whisper Cymru with immediate effect. Whisper Cymru will also retain Lens 360’s office in Canolfan S4C Yr Egin, Camarthen,

Lens 360 founder Carys Owens becomes Whisper Cymru managing director, and Jamie McIntosh continues as Whisper Cymru line producer.

The two companies have previously worked together, co-producing the Rugby World Cup for S4C; Live Women’s Rugby; and Dyddiau Da Cwpan Rygbi’r Byd (World Cup Rugby Catch Up).

Meanwhile, Lens 360 staff have also worked on a number of Whisper Cymru’s Nations productions, including the Women’s FA Cup (BBC); England Women’s Football Internationals (BBC); and Women’s Six Nations (BBC).

The announcement follows recent investment by Whisper Cymru in Wales. It’s moved into bigger offices in Cardiff and created new edit suites with Cardiff workspace, Tramshed Tech.

Whisper CEO, Sunil Patel: “It’s brilliant that just two years after opening in Cardiff, we are joining forces with a Welsh company that has a such strong heritage in the nation, as well as reputation and experience. Working together with Carys and her fantastic team, we plan to further develop our base in Wales. It’s a sporting heartland with great creative talent, which we are keen to support.”

Whisper managing director, Mark Cole, added: “Rugby has been a major growth area for us, with the Rugby World Cup for S4C and Women’s Six Nations for the BBC and two additional exciting new rugby announcements coming soon. We’ve been involved with Lens 360 since opening in Cardiff in November 2018. Their approach to production matches ours, ambitious and focused on telling incredible stories, so it felt like a natural step to join forces and see what’s possible.”

Whisper Cymru managing director, Carys Owens, said: “We are extremely excited to be joining forces with Whisper. Lens 360 shares similar values in the creativity and standards it shows on every project. Our relationship has grown naturally during our work on the Rugby World Cup in 2019, through to this moment. This is an excellent opportunity for our existing clients, as well as broadcasting in Wales. We are hugely excited about our future relationship with Whisper and the opportunities it will bring.”

Gerwyn Evans of Creative Wales said: “We welcome the launch today of the new Whisper Cymru. Combining the creative talent and experience of both Lens 360 and Whisper Cymru will enable further excellent productions to be born and made in Wales. We look forward to seeing their future growth and success as part of a vibrant creative sector in Wales.”

Lens 360’s clients include S4C, the Welsh Rugby Union and Channel 4. Whisper Cymru is the Nations office of Whisper, which produces Formula One, International Cricket, Women’s Super League and The Paralympics.