Former Rumpus, Spun Gold and Crackit exec, Fintan Maguire, has launched a new production company, High Rock Media,
With its primary office in Belfast, High Rock Media also has a base in London. The company will focus on “marrying traditional programme-making with new twists and innovation to create unique and compelling shows.” It has already secured two new series commissions from Channel 4 and Channel 5.
High Rock’s first format commission is from Deborah Dunnett for Channel 4. The order is for a three-part prime-time series challenging the perceptions of supermarket loyalty in an experiment that looks to transform consumer spending habits “in eye opening and life-changing ways.” The commission is with funding from Northern Ireland Screen.
For Channel 5, an unnamed four-part documentary series, commissioned by Federico Ruiz, celebrates the rich history of Cheshire by following the lives of its residents. It will transmit later this year. It is a co-production with GroupM Motion Entertainment.
Fintan Maguire said: “Launching a production company has always been my ambition but to realise that goal in what is arguably one of the most challenging times in our television history was inevitably daunting. To be able to launch with two series from Channel 4 and Channel 5 is really exciting – thank you to the commissioning editors and to Northern Ireland Screen for helping to make that happen.
“I love making television and our ambition is to take viewers on a voyage of discovery in entertaining ways – both these commissions have that ethos at their heart and we hope this is the start of delivering many such series in the future.”
Maguire, who is Founder, Managing Director and Creative Director, has worked as executive producer on series for BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky for more than 20 years. His most recent role was as Director of Factual at Rumpus Media and prior to that he was an Executive Producer at Spun Gold and Crackit Productions. Maguire has made documentaries and series with the Royal Family and the National Trust and has worked with and created formats for a wide range of on-screen talent including Laura Whitmore, Sir Tony Robinson, and Alan Titchmarsh.
Joining Maguire at High Rock Media as development executive is RTS award-winning Catriona Doyle, who has worked on entertainment brands including Strictly Come Dancing as well as quiz and game show formats such as The Weakest Link and Ready Steady Cook. Whilst in London, Catriona held posts at BBC and Endemol before moving back to Belfast where she spent ten years working for Northern Ireland’s largest Indie, Waddell Media, winning commissions for a multitude of broadcasters.
Jon Creamer
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