Sports and docs specialist, The Whisper Group, has announced that Sony Pictures Television is divesting its 30% shareholding, “after a sustained five-year period of growth and delivery, culminating in record revenues and profits for Whisper last year.”
Whisper will return to private ownership, using external finance to “deliver a bold and ambitious strategy, create an employee equity scheme, and allow the management team – led by CEO and Founder, Sunil Patel – to drive new growth and market expansion.”
Whisper will continue to work with SPT through strategic partnerships to help deliver entertainment shows including Wheel of Fortune, as well as a range of sports and media projects.
Whisper was founded in 2010 by Sunil Patel, Jake Humphrey and David Coulthard with Channel 4’s Growth Fund helping accelerate sport and branded content growth in 2015. SPT came on board in 2020 as Channel 4 exited. With SPT, Whisper’s revenue grew from c. £20m to c. £100m and the company established Whisper North and Whisper Cymru.
Whisper works across global events including Formula One, UEFA Champions League, Wimbledon, Roland Garros, The Paralympics, FIFA World Cup and UEFA Women’s EURO. In branded, it has produced campaigns for Red Bull, BOSE, NEOM and Peloton, while also designing and delivering events such as EA’s esports series, BBC Sports Personality of the Year and FIFA Best. TV shows include Ben Stokes: Phoenix From The Ashes and Sven as well as quiz shows including Pictionary, Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.
Sunil Patel, Whisper CEO and Founder said: “Five years ago, Whisper set off on a journey to become a multi-genre production company. That has been absolutely delivered – creatively, commercially and culturally – with revenue up nearly 500%.
“It would not have been possible without our bold vision and partnership with Sony, which helped elevate Whisper to a truly global force, so huge thanks to Wayne and the wider Sony team.
“It was that collaboration, alongside our valued partners, that has helped us create a scalable business telling ambitious stories that entertain and impact the world. All delivered by our industry-leading team.
“The next chapter of Whisper’s story is already underway, and that will continue to place our people at the heart by ensuring they share in future growth alongside shareholders.
“The platform is set, as is the team. Now it’s time to go make it happen once again.”
Wayne Garvie, President, International Production, Sony Pictures Television, added: “Dynamic, collaborative, innovative, over the last decade, Whisper has become one of the leading global production companies in their field. We have had a brilliant partnership for five years, from Wheel of Fortune to Wimbledon, so many great moments and I’m sure that the many parts of the wider Sony family will continue to find ways of working with The Whisper Group, as we will in International production.
“For now, it’s good luck to Sunil and the team as they take this next step on their marvellous journey”
Jon Creamer
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