Endemol Shine sets up Sharp Jack TV

Endemol Shine Group is launching a new UK production company with two former ITV Studios creative execs.

Elliot Johnson and Amanda Wilson

Sharp Jack TV will be part of Endemol Shine UK and is being co-founded with Elliot Johnson and Amanda Wilson.

Johnson and Wilson launched Sharp Jack Media in 2011. They will join Endemol Shine as joint MDs of the new Sharp Jack TV and all their existing IP and developments will also become part of the group.

The pair are currently working on two pilots: Always the Bridesmaid for TLC in the UK and social experiment Raised by the Villa for RTÉ One in Ireland.

Johnson and Wilson also previously worked on series including The Chase, Four Weddings and Who Dares Sings.

Prior to being creative head of entertainment development at ITV Studios, Wilson set up and ran Tinderbox Television for the Avalon Group and also headed he BBC team that developed and formatted Strictly Come Dancing.

Johnson started his career in the music industry producing pop videos for the likes of Bjork, Massive Attack and Smashing Pumpkins and producing music programming for the BBC including Top of the Pops, Bowie at the Beeb and Glastonbury for the BBC.

He joined Tinderbox and worked with Wilson before the pair moved to run development at ITV Studios.

Lucinda Hicks, chief operating officer at Endemol Shine UK, said: “Amanda and Elliot are a brilliant creative team, highly regarded throughout the industry and bursting with ideas, so we are delighted that they are joining us.

“Nurturing creativity and talent is integral to our business, and with the support of the wider Endemol Shine Group I’m confident that their ideas will fly, in the UK and beyond.”

Wilson said: “We are at the stage where we want to grow our business and joining a group like Endemol Shine gives us both the support and the creative freedom to really make a difference.”

Johnson added: “Endemol Shine UK is the perfect home for our label. Not only does it open up access to a huge distribution network allowing us to realise our creative ambitions on a global stage, it also gives us the ability to deliver bigger and bolder ideas.”