Red Arrow prodco creates Turkish venture

LA-based prodco Karga Seven Pictures has expanded its operations in Turkey after establishing a permanent Istanbul production office earlier this month.

Tamer Uner will head the Red Arrow Entertainment Group-owned prodco’s Turkish branch as president, while Ozer Sata, former CEO of Mindshare Turkey, will take a chief executive post. Todd Cohen, formerly Karga Seven’s executive VP of development, will become chief creative officer.

Karga Seven Turkey will focus on producing original content for scripted and factual television series, game shows, feature films, documentaries and branded content on digital and mobile platforms. It hopes to include international coproductions in its programming offer, while catering to a Turkish market.

Red Arrow International will oversee global distribution of Karga Seven Turkey’s programming. “The Turkish TV market is a very interesting environment for us,” said RAI managing director Henrik Pabst. “Red Arrow’s partnership with Karga Seven and their exciting new venture will help us to broaden our international slate of world-class content.”

Kelly McPherson, founding partner of Karga Seven, said: “The vibrant and fast growing Turkish TV market is a great place to start a new company.”

Sarah Wetherbee, also a founding partner of Karga Seven, added: “From award-winning commercials and feature films to groundbreaking advertising and media campaigns to hit television series, Tamer, Ozer and Todd have a proven track record of success and a creative aesthetic that is highly attractive to audiences and advertisers alike.

“Coupled with our creative vision and the support and vast reach of Red Arrow Entertainment and Red Arrow International, Karga Seven Turkey is off to a great start.”

Red Arrow acquired a majority stake in Karga Seven in 2015.

Karga Seven’s credits include documentary Hunting Hitler for the History Channel and feature film Takim. It is led by executive producers and founding partners Wetherbee and McPherson, and Emre Sahin. Tracy Bacal is CEO and SVP of production.