GRB Studios & Media Ranch merge distribution teams to create GRB Media Ranch

Untold Stories Of The ER

US-based GRB Studios and Canada’s Media Ranch are creating a new joint distribution venture that will count more than 5,000 hours of shows in its catalogue.

GRB Media Ranch, which will be led by GRB chief Gary R. Benz and Media Ranch’s CEO Sophie Ferron, will sell the factual, unscripted and scripted programming from both firms, as well as formats across all genres.

Gary R. Benz & Sophie Ferron

Both companies will retain their separate production and creative businesses, with Benz overseeing production for GRB and Ferron retaining oversight of Media Ranch’s original IP and format development, including current paper formats and its incubator, Horsepower.

GRB’s Liz Levenson will cover Africa, Middle East, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe for the new firm, while Torquil Macneal will cover APAC and Janel Downing will cover Latin America.

From Media Ranch, Tanja van der Goes will cover Europe for formats, alongside Alexa Jorizzo in Europe and Canada for finished programs.

GRB Media Ranch catalogue

The combined companies’ distribution catalogue will house shows such as GRB’s Untold Stories Of The E.R., the Icons Unearthed series and On The Case, while Media Ranch distributes over 150 formats, including Round Table and Watch.

Benz said: “Our companies and visions complement each other well, and we bring our creativity to deal-making into the evolving business of the content industry.

“Our joint venture is a natural and logical next step in our relationship to build a super independent distribution organization. Together, we will expand our global reach even further.”

Ferron added: “Gary and I have two strong teams that will become a unified and stellar sales force. We are eager to contribute our skills to the new entity and reach even greater heights. The goal is to become an international distribution powerhouse offering a comprehensive marketing approach from formats to finished programmes in all genres.”