TBI’s 2024 Predictions: Mark Fennessy, founder & CCO, Helium

By Mark Fennessy 10th January 2024

Mark Fennessy (Source: Helium)

2024 is set to be a pivotal year for the global content industry, so TBI has enlisted some of the biggest names in the business to share their thoughts on the major trends of the next 12 months and how they’re going to capitalise on them.

Mark Fennessy, founder, CCO and chair of Australian indie Helium, talks the rise of AI, the demand for live sports and the second season of Last King Of The Cross.

What is the biggest growth area for your company this year?

Helium has an incredibly diverse slate of scripted series rolling out that will build on the excellent momentum created by Last King Of The Cross and Paper Dolls. We’ve already doubled our business in 2023, so we’re looking forward to continuing those relationships and new ventures with new partners. On the unscripted side, we’ve increased our focus on premium factual with a number of high-end factual series and feature docs across entertainment, sport & music.

What is the key trend going to be in 2024?

The continuing impact of AI and further industry consolidation. It means that unique, independent voices are more important than ever before.

What is your New Year’s resolution and why?

Season two of Last King Of The Cross! The first season launched Helium in a BIG way and we have a brilliant team onboard again. If anything, it’s going to be even better this time around. Looking forward to season two of Squid Game, new instalments of White Lotus, Euphoria and True Detective with Jodie Foster plus Boy Swallows Universe, Trent Dalton’s beautiful novel brought to the screen.

What will be the biggest headline (not involving your own company) in 2024 and why?

“Humans vs AI – Secret Sauce is People”. AI is gathering speed, the shift to streaming/VOD is accelerating, demand for live sports gets even bigger but one constant is the currency of quality people. We’re not just in the entertainment business – we’re in the people business!!

What show are you most looking forward to in 2024?

Last King Of The Cross season two, because I’ve read the scripts and it’s going to be a banger! Tempting Fortune was voted Reality Show of the Year which is no accident – it’s a standout… and my team has an NSFW obsession with Open House so they’ll be doing a binge screening of that as soon as it drops.

Read more from TBI’s 2024 Predictions

Tom Fussell, CEO, BBC Studios

Nomsa Philiso, CEO of general entertainment, MultiChoice Group

Marina Williams, co-CEO, Asacha Media Group

Kate Beal, founder & CEO, Woodcut Media

James Burstall, CEO, Argonon

Julian Bellamy, MD, ITV Studios

Daria Leygonie-Fialko, founder, Space Production

Rob Wade, CEO, Fox Entertainment

Frank Spotnitz, CEO, Big Light Productions

David Michel, president and co-founder, Cottonwood Media

TBI’s 2024 Predictions: Mark Fennessy, founder & CCO, Helium