Blink49 sets up JV partnership with literary management firm Transatlantic

L-R: Samantha Haywood, John Morayniss & Laura Cameron

Toronto-based Blink49 Studios has set up a joint-venture partnership with North American literary management firm Transatlantic to develop and produce original content.

The arrangement will give Blink49, which is backed by Fifth Season and led by CEO John Morayniss, access to Transatlantic’s roster of authors and IP to adapt content for the screen. Transatlantic, which is also headquartered in Toronto and has agents based in Boston, New York and Portland, represents more than 800 clients.

All projects developed through the partnership will be coproduced by Blink49 and Transatlantic, while Blink49 and Fifth Season will have a first-look at international distribution rights.

“This is the first deal of its kind in Canada, tailored to the demand for book adaptations with a direct pipeline from the publishing industry to Blink49’s domestic and international studio infrastructure,” said Blink49.

The announcement of the partnership comes around seven months after Blink49 entered a similar joint venture partnership with Canadian representation agency Vanguarde Artists Management.

“We’re so excited to partner with [Transatlantic president and literary agent] Samantha Haywood, [literary agent] Laura Cameron and the fabulous team at Transatlantic Agency,” said Morayniss.

“They represent some of the bestselling authors and storytellers working in Canada, the US and internationally. By fostering a close-working relationship, we’ll provide Transatlantic clients with significant opportunities and upside to bring their stories to a global television audience.”

Haywood added that the partnership “creates opportunities for our author and screenwriter clients to have greater ownership in their work and influence over book adaptations, which is increasingly important to the artists we represent.”