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Abraham unveils Wonderhood venture

David Abraham, former CEO of the UK’s Channel 4 and UKTV, has unveiled details of his new company, which will both produce programming and act as a creative agency.

David Abraham

Wonderhood Studios will be structured as two adjacent studios, one focused on producing “ambitious programming across multiple genres for broadcasters and platforms” and another serving as a creative agency for major brands.

A third division will focus on media data and develop future digital networks.

Wonderhood will “aim to break down creative silos and bring together a breadth of skills and insights” to deal with the “fundamental changes” affecting the industry.

In a statement, the company added that it “believes cross-fertilisation will stimulate creativity in both content production and brand advertising, helping to produce big ideas that engage and excite audiences in today’s converging media landscape.”

Abraham is set to announce his team in the coming weeks, sourcing execs from TV production, advertising and digital media sectors. No details have yet been revealed, although Abraham will be CEO and Sachin Dosani has been named group MD.

Dosani is a co-founder and former MD of media investment bank ACF and has worked in the UK and the US, claiming to have advised on more than 60 M&A transactions over the past 15 years.

Work will begin on its first projects from June, with the company also aiming to develop a portfolio of digital network brands, working independently or with partners.

Abraham said: “We began our new creative company with a blank sheet of paper in order to align our thinking with the opportunities created by unprecedented levels of change.

“In a world of increasingly connected consumers, channels and platforms require content that is more highly differentiated while brand owners are seeking editorial skills to engage with audiences.

“Combining deep storytelling abilities with new forms of creativity will allow us to address both of these challenges.”

Wonderhood Studios is being backed by private seed capital from a group of unnamed UK and international investors, but said it will look to raise further funds in order to expand internationally and develop its digital networks. The company added that acquisitions could be on the cards in order to speed up its growth.

Abraham left C4 last year after seven years with the channel after joining from rival UKTV, where he was also CEO.

During his stint with C4, Abraham oversaw growth in revenues and programme spending, a recovery in the station’s performance post-Big Brother and increased investment in a slew of indies through C4’s growth fund. He was replaced at the UK pubcaster by former Shine CEO Alex Mahon.

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