The creators of the female-centric WIGS channel are looking to take their productions to the next level. Filmmakers Jon Avnet, Jake Avnet, and Rodrigo Garcia are starting Indigenous Media, a new digital media production company that has already received investments from WPP and the UK broadcasting company ITV.
Indigenous Media plans to create original content and develop content brands across multiple global platforms. Indigenous will specialize, among other formats, in scripted half-hour to hour-long series, with WPP and ITV providing advertising and distribution aid.
“Shortly after the launch of WIGS, Peter Tortorici [of WPP] approached us with his vision for the potential of scripted content on digital platforms,” stated Jon Avnet in the release. “We agreed and now are working to scale this model with our new investors.”
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“As digital media continues to evolve and new models for content creation and distribution emerge and proliferate, the ability to create high value content in new and efficient ways will ever be more critical,” said Peter Tortorici, CEO of WPP’s investment management company, GroupM Entertainment Global, in a release. “Jon, Rodrigo, and Jake have been first movers in executing at the highest levels of scripted content in this space and have the means, relationships and commitment to take their efforts to scale. We look forward to helping them get there.”
This isn’t an exaggerated compliment about the original WIGS team. The Avnets and Garcia are well-known directors and producers in both the traditional and digital spaces, with some big titles to their names. Jon Avnet worked on Black Swan, Fried Green Tomatoes, and several other traditional media projects before creating WIGS series like Blue and Ruth & Erica with Jake, his son. Garcia, with his producing expertise from In Treatment and almost all of WIGS’ titles, makes up the final third of Indigenous’ founding team.
ITV also seems very pleased to be partnering with the trio’s new production company. “Indigenous is a forward looking, multi-platform provider of premium content, and as such, is a perfect strategic fit for ITV,” said Paul Buccieri, Chairman of ITV Studios US Group and ITV Studios Global Entertainment, in a release. Garcia added, “We are thrilled about collaborating with Paul Buccieri and his ITV colleagues to create new opportunities for top-notch writers and directors to tell their stories in this exciting new world.”
If you’re concerned about WIGS disappearing off the digital map because of Indigenous, there’s no need to worry. The channel will continue to be supported by FOX Broadcasting, with Indigenous providing additional funds for new content and productions.
And if the success of the female-focused channel is any indication of the future of Indigenous, there is plenty for WIGS’ original audience to look forward to.
Image courtesy of Indigenous Media
