ITV execs set up indie and ink deal with BBCWW

Former ITV Studios executives Amanda Wilson and Elliot Johnson have created a new indie and inked a development and distribution deal with BBC Worldwide.

The pair left ITV in September and announced the launch of Sharp Jack Media today. The company will develop entertainment, fact-ent and quiz formats.

Under the terms of a deal with BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of UK public broadcaster will handle international sales of Sharp Jack content. It does not have an equity stake in the start-up.

Wilson and Johnson left ITV Studios in September, where they were previously creative heads of entertainment development with credits including The Chase, Who Dares Sings and Four Weddings.

Johnson said: “We’re incredibly proud of what we achieved at ITV so it was a tough decision to leave, but it’s been a long term ambition to set up on our own and we felt the timing was right.”

Wilson added: “People all over the world are looking for shows that reflect their own lives but are louder and brighter and we think that’s exactly what Sharp Jack Media can provide.”