SCOTTISH INDIE PRODCO TWO RIVERS MEDIA SETS DEAL WITH HAYLEY BABCOCK TO RAMP UP EXPANSION INTO U.S. MARKET

Leading Scottish indie Two Rivers Media is accelerating its push into the U.S., striking a deal with former A+E Networks International Head of Formats Hayley Babcock and her new company, Hayley Babcock Media Consulting.

Based in Los Angeles, Babcock will leverage her deep experience in media and production, and her network of relationships across the U.S. and the global content community to help expand Two Rivers’ production and business goals in the U.S.

Leading the company’s U.S. creative development, production and business strategy, Babcock will help broaden Two Rivers’ scope in the U.S., both in terms of volume and genres of content. Through the consultancy she will also help drive new partnerships, production deals and other collaborations for Two Rivers, including those with global platforms, in collaboration with Two Rivers’ U.S. agents ICM.

Formerly Head of Formats at A+E Networks, Babcock was responsible for all creative and production aspects of the group’s international format business, including development of new content for global distribution; identifying formats from within the A+E group of channels to roll out internationally; and partnering with independent producers to co-develop new format concepts abroad and in the U.S. for A+E’s group of channels.

Alan Clements, Managing Director of Two Rivers Media, says: “International growth is an area of strategic importance to Two Rivers, not only in relation to our commercial success, but also in relation to the future development of, and investment in, our team in the UK.  A direct result of our strategic partnership with All3Media, partnering with Hayley Babcock is an extremely timely partnership for us, as we already have US-based projects underway.

Hayley has an exceptional mix of creative and business skills along with a rich global network of contacts.  She also has extensive experience developing and producing globally recognised, commercially successful content in the United States and in key international territories.   It’s very exciting to have her and her company as our go-to in North America.”

Two Rivers’ strategic partnership with leading independent distributor All3Media International was announced last autumn. The collaboration sees All3Media International supporting the development of a selection of new projects – scripted and non-scripted – from Two Rivers, handling rights to those titles in the global market and supporting the indie in its global aspirations. All shows sold will be co-produced with All3Media America.

Hayley Babcock says: “Two Rivers’ ambition and energy, and the experience of the creative team Alan has assembled, is really impressive. The global market has an insatiable appetite for new stories and new voices and I’m delighted to work with Two Rivers to extend its reach in the U.S. The company already makes outstanding programming that resonates around the world, and I’m eager to get started on our plan for growth here in the U.S.”