Banijay unveils Neon Ink, rejigs Magnolia

Kate Lewis (left) and Julia Walsh of Neon Ink

Banijay Group has joined forces with two former ITV executives to set up a drama prodco and changed the leadership at Italian firm Magnolia.

Neon Ink has been formed by former ITV Studios creative drama execs Kate Lewis and Julia Walsh as a joint venture with the European production group.

It becomes the fourth scripted production company to be added to Banijay’s UK division in the past year, joining BlackLight TV, Fearless Minds and Yellow Bird UK. Neon Ink will operate out of Banijay’s central London offices.

Lewis and Walsh previously worked together at ITV Studios as executive producer and development head, respectively, on shows such as Mr Selfridge and Vera.

“We were particularly drawn to the dynamic, creative culture at Banijay and by their keen appetite to coproduce in Europe and the rest of the world,” said the pair in a joint statement.

Neon Ink’s slate includes The Harvest, described by Banijay as a “domestic noir” set in Birmingham and southern Australia, from Born to Kill’s Kate Ashfield and novelist Grant Gillespie.

Meanwhile, in Italy, Stefano Torrisi has been appointed as executive VP for Milan-based Magnolia, after Leonardo Pasquinelli, the prodco’s MD, left to join Endemol Shine Italy as CEO.

Torrisi is currently executive VP of Banijay Spain, overseeing content and commercial development. His expanded role will see him take on the same responsibilities for local operations in Italy, as well as leadership of Magnolia.

He joined Banijay last year having previously been commercial director and chief creative officer of Endemol Shine Italy since October 2014.

Magnolia produces shows such as as L’Eredità, Piazza Pulita, L’Isola dei Famosi, Pechino Express, Bake Off and Quattro Matrimoni, and has introduced formats such as Undressed, Guess My Age and Top Chef in Italy.