Gijsbertse sets up European collective to help indies bolster international reach

Production companies in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Poland have come together to form a new indie collective led by former Banijay Entertainment acquisitions exec Joris Gijsbertse.

Joris Gijsbertse

Thirtyfour Media currently includes Munich-based Constantin Entertainment, NewBe in Amsterdam, Copenhagen-based Laud People and Constantin Entertainment Polska in Warsaw.

The aim is to create an environment where member organisations share their knowledge and “advanced discussions” are currently underway with companies in additional regions, with the view to limiting the collective to one prodco per country.

Thirtyfour Media is backed by an advisory board made up of All Right Media CEO Tanja van der Goes and 3Rivers’ Boudewijn Beusmans, the former CEO at EndemolShine Netherlands.

Thirtyfour Media has also partnered with Treasure, an AI-driven platform developed in Denmark, to support content distribution.

At Thirtyfour Media, independent prodcos can lean on Gijsbertse, who left his role as format acquisitions manager at Banijay last year, for support and counsel on collaborations and partnerships, format acquisitions and exporting IP.

The holding company will offer a shared catalogue and access on a first-look basis, as well as hosting pre-Mipcom events and in-conference relationship building.

Gijsbertse, CEO at Thirtyfour Media, said: “In a time where the content environment has been challenged by falling ad revenues, consolidation, and commissioning slowdowns, there is no doubt indies need affordable options that support them in fulfilling their international potential.

“As borders diminish, there has never been so much creative opportunity, but equally a need to tap into the broader production distribution ecosystem to effectively take ideas in, and out of markets.

“With Thirtyfour Media, producers not only preserve their DNA and maintain their freedom, but importantly have the space to focus on what they do best – create, sell and produce locally. We take care of the rest.”