Bright Agency launches film, TV arm

UK-based literary and illustration firm The Bright Agency has launched an in-house film and TV division led by a recently appointed exec from Mattel Creations.

Courtney Arumugam

Courtney Arumugam has been tapped as senior creative executive having previously worked in the content department of Mattel’s production arm, which houses IP such as Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder and Fireman Sam.

Before that, Arumugam spent four years at Mattel Creations, in commissioning and production for broadcasters and production companies such as Channel 4, the BBC and FremantleMedia.

In her new role, Arumugam is responsible for identifying titles by the firm’s portfolio of authors and illustrators that could make compelling TV or film content.

The company is looking to partner with studios and broadcasters to bring the stories to screen as joint ventures, coproductions or full-option agreements. The Bright Agency is also looking to develop new TV shows and films with selected studios.

Arumugam will be working alongside Bright Agency board member Richard Scrivener, who will be overseeing the new division. Supporting both will be Bright’s head of contracts Sandra Tharumalingam.

“Since 2007 we have retained the film, TV and merchandising rights for nearly all our author-illustrated titles and there has never been a time quite as ripe to fully invest in exploring these rights on behalf of our artists and authors,” said Bright Agency founder and MD Vicki Willden-Lebrecht.