All3’s Objective launches new factual prodco

UK prodco Objective is launching Second Star Productions, a new factual and fact-ent banner.

Objective, part of the All3Media group, has undergone major staff changes following the exits of founders Michael Vine and Andrew O’Connor, as well as senior execs Andrew O’Connor, Paul Sandler, Matt Crook and Adam Adler, most of whom have set up new prodcos.

It has staffed up since, with Deborah Sargeant joining from Sky in October. She will helm Second Star as chief creative officer, having joined Objective from Sky earlier this year, and Andrew Burgess will be head of development, joining in January.

Burgess was at another All3Media-backed prodco, John Stanley Productions. His programming credits include Life Stories, Come Dine With Me and Hell’s Kitchen.

Second Star will take on the Objective fact-ent slate, which includes It Was Alright in the… for Channel 4, the forthcoming second series of BBC One’s Now You See It, and the recently announced Kalel co-production for BBC Three and BBC Worldwide, Stupid Man, Smart Phone.

Sargeant said: “Second Star will build on what Objective has always been brilliant at – funny factual, mischievous formats, timeless storytelling with a hint of magic. What I love about Andy is that he brings a wealth of enviable fact ent experience and by also bringing our head of magic, Anthony Owen, in to the fold, we hope to create a really vibrant atmosphere to create some truly original ideas.”

Burgess added: “I’m delighted to be joining Deborah and Anthony at the start of something genuinely exciting and hopefully a lot of fun. We’re looking to create a development team that will attract the best, most innovative producers and ideas people out there.”