Sony sets up new formats unit

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has established a new formats unit within its international production arm to be headed by Sarah Edwards, senior VP of unscripted entertainment.

Sarah Edwards

The Future Formats Team will bring creatives together with SPT International Production’s distribution arm with the aim of advising buyers on current and forthcoming formats for their specific audiences.

The unit is steered by  Edwards, who has been appointed to the newly created position of creative director of global formats.

She will be joined by Tracy-Jean, who is moving to the new position of executive producer, focusing on third party format acquisitions and partnerships. Laura St Clair, executive director of format sales, will work with the Future Formats Team, which is based in SPT’s London office.

Prior to joining SPT in 2012, Edwards held head of development roles at Talkback Thames, the BBC and ITV Studios-owned production outfit 12 Yard. She was involved in the development of a number of international hits including The Weakest Link, Eggheads and Take Me Out.

At Sony, she played an integral part in the collaboration with Israeli production company United in the creation of international gameshow Raid The Cage.

The unit’s creation follows on from the launch of SPT’s new non-scripted label Human earlier this month.

Wayne Garvie, president of SPT International Production, said that the Future Formats Team would allow them to “take a bespoke and dynamic approach to all our new formats and acquisitions.”

“We aim to be nimble and proactive in our collaborations to ensure we continue to build our slate of unscripted content and secure the hits of the future,” added Garvie, who was promoted to his present role towards the end of last year.