Curtain rises on BiggerStage for Irish talent
Details
Joseph O'Halloran
| 01 March 2021
Former managing director of Virgin Media Television Pat Kiely has announced the official launch of BiggerStage, a new television production, talent management and commercial partnerships business aiming to create world class programming from Ireland.
BiggerStage 1March2021
The company has been created to develop original content for the global market and showcase Ireland as a leading hub for international television production. It will represent major established talent in broadcasting and entertainment as well as offering a development programme for future stars. BiggerStage will partner with industry stakeholders, including advertisers, to develop what it says will be new ways to fund and scale the audio-visual sector as well as offering market benefits and incentives in Ireland.

BiggerStage’s three fundamental pillars of content production, talent management, and building innovative commercial partnerships sees three industry specialists join Kiely in the launch. Unscripted and factual entertainment specialist Sean O’Riordan will take the role of creative director, having previously worked in production and development positions at all3media’s Betty, Chalkboard TV and the BBC. Funding and partnerships will be overseen by Jamie Macken previous co-MD of Ireland’s biggest marcomms and advertising agency Core and Jane Russell, founder of Outlaw Management, joining BiggerStage with an existing roster of what is called “notable” talent.

Headquartered in Dublin, BiggerStage is opening a UK office later this month and is currently in discussions with a number of US agencies to establish a presence in North America. Announcements on these moves will be made soon.

Commenting on the launch, Kiely, who will be CEO of the firm, expressed confidence that Ireland could play a much bigger part in creating and producing world-class programming for the international market. “Global demand for quality content has never been so high and BiggerStage will offer a unique approach, showcasing Ireland’s capabilities across TV production, format creation and talent development,” he said.

“As a country, we enjoy so many benefits that are hugely attractive to international programme makers. We also have an abundance of talent across the media industry that can fuel the demands of the major networks and streamers for whom popular content remains king. In joining some of the dots across our three pillars of activity, we hope we can play our part in helping Irish talent play on a bigger stage.”