Ex-LADbible duo Thom Gulseven and Ben Powell-Jones launch digital-first indie with Hat Trick backing

L-R: Thom Gulseven & Ben Powell-Jones

Former LADbible execs Thom Gulseven and Ben Powell-Jones have launched Strong Watch Studios, a digital-first broadcast company backed by Derry Girls firm Hat Trick Productions.

The duo, who launched Snack Wars and Agree To Disagree producer LADstudios at the LADbible group, plan to build out a network of unscripted channels across digital platforms, working with partners looking to add a digital broadcast offering to their own brands.

“We’re obsessed with the gap between the two worlds of tele and digital – and how you fill it,” said Gulseven. “We’ve been lucky enough to work on some well-loved TV formats, and work at the world’s biggest digital publishing brand – and we absolutely loved both. Now we want to bring together everything we’ve learnt to forge a future that is the best of both worlds.”

Prior to joining LADbible, where he served as creative director until his exit earlier this year, Gulseven worked at Channel 4 as commissioning editor and head of digital content strategy on titles such as Made in Chelsea, Skins, Misfits and Mashed. Powell-Jones meanwhile previously served as an international format exec at EndemolShine working across formats such as Tenable, MasterChef and Big Brother.

“As an industry, it feels like we’re all way beyond the era of clips and one-off virals, and the gulf between that world and TV. We’re firmly in a digital broadcast era now where long-running formats, digital IP with huge fandoms and the multitude of ways it can be distributed and monetised is more important than ever. We’re excited to launch content of our own, but if you’re a company looking to take digital video to the next level, we’d love to help you make that transition,” said Powell-Jones.