Zig Zag, ShinAwil in Anglo-Irish pact

UK-based Zig Zag Productions is teaming up with Dublin-based indie ShinAwil to co-develop and coproduce original formats.

Larry Bass

The Anglo-Irish alliance is designed to expand each organisation’s unscripted TV format operations in the UK and the international market.

The initiative will see Zig Zag and ShinAwil working together from both the former’s London office and ShinAwil’s Dublin and Belfast bases, with the two companies continuing to operate independently.

Under the reciprocal agreement, Zig Zag will represent all ShinAwil unscripted formats in the UK, while ShinAwil will represent all Zig Zag unscripted formats in the Republic of Ireland.

Both companies have more than 20 years’ experience producing high-end entertainment and factual entertainment programming.

Danny Fenton

ShinAwil produces local versions of entertainment formats including Dancing with the Stars, The Voice, MasterChef, The Apprentice and Dragon’s Den.

Set up in 1999 by CEO Larry Bass, the company recently established a scripted division, led by head of drama Aaron Farrell and head of international Mary Callery.

Zig Zag Productions is headquartered in London and was launched by CEO Danny Fenton in 1999. It has produced more than 650 hours of non-scripted programming.

Fenton said: “ShinAwil’s format development and production expertise across Ireland is second to none. By partnering up with Larry’s team, both our companies will be able to create exceptional creative content and widen our international footprint.”

Bass added: “While Brexit poses a degree of uncertainty for both the UK and Irish content industries, this exciting new collaboration allows us both to continue building robust, sustainable, international businesses while harnessing each other’s creative strengths and local market insight.”