Toby Dormer tapped as Executive Vice President, Unscripted Television
Allison Brough joins as Vice President, Unscripted Television
Toronto – August 2, 2022 – Blink49 Studios is expanding its content business by adding an unscripted arm to develop a slate of non-fiction entertainment targeting the Canadian and international marketplace. The new division will be led by Toby Dormer, Executive Vice President, Unscripted Television with Allison Brough named as Vice President, Unscripted Television, effective immediately.
Based in Vancouver, Dormer will report to John Morayniss, CEO of Blink49 Studios and will be responsible for all aspects of Blink49’s unscripted business, including overseeing development, production and related strategic initiatives. Reporting to Dormer and based in Toronto, Brough will take the lead on the creation of Blink49’s unscripted portfolio.
“We’re thrilled to be launching our unscripted division with Toby and Allison leading the charge,” said Morayniss. “They are a formidable team with stellar reputations and an impressive track record of developing and producing a compelling and diverse slate of unscripted content for a global market. I can’t think of a better fit for us.”
“Allison and I are delighted to be joining Blink49 and working with John and the team to create world class Canadian unscripted content,” added Dormer. “We’re looking forward to developing a broad slate of original programming and collaborating with other Canadian producers to create inclusive, innovative, and entertaining content. The caliber and diversity of storytelling emerging from Canada at the moment is incredible, and we can’t wait to share it with the world.”
Most recently, Dormer was Executive Vice President, Unscripted, Canada at Entertainment One (eOne) where he oversaw the company’s extensive slate which included, Project Bakeover (Food Network), Arctic Vets (CBC/NatGeo), Hunt for the Chicago Strangler (Discovery+), and Border Security (Netflix/Global). In 2003, Dormer founded Remedy Productions and within four years it grew to become the largest producer of entertainment programming in the UK by volume. In 2011, Remedy was acquired by the Argonon Media Group and Dormer led the company’s expansion into North America where he Executive Produced titles such as Cabin Truckers (Cottage Life/A&E), My Floating Home (HGTV/Channel 4) and two seasons of First Dates (Global).
Before joining Blink49 Studios, Allison Brough was Vice President of Development, Unscripted Television & Head of Podcast Network for eOne. She created, championed and maintained a ‘podcast to broadcast’ model in addition to managing a robust slate of unscripted television including the forthcoming, four-part series, Thunder Bay (CTV/Crave). Prior to that, she was Director of Development at Lone Eagle Entertainment where she helped spearhead numerous, green-lit projects like Meme gURL (Slice Network), Raising the Bar (CMT Canada), Starving Artist (Food Network) and Dead Funny (CBC). Brough also served as Development Executive at Tricon Films and Television where she worked on popular series such as Après Ski (Bravo), Restaurant Takeover (Food Network), Pop-Up Gourmet (OWN) and The Expendables (HGTV).
Blink49 Studios is a content venture with Endeavor Content as its anchor investor and lead strategic partner. Focusing heavily on a creative-first approach, Blink49 Studios is dedicated to partnering with best-in-class writers, creators and producers, as well as aggressively pursuing IP in Canada and throughout the world. The indie studio is committed to applying significant resources to support new and diverse Canadian voices.
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ABOUT BLINK49 STUDIOS
Co-founded in 2021 by industry veterans CEO John Morayniss, Non-Executive Vice Chair Patrice Theroux, COO Jeff Lynas and CFO Nelson Kuo-Lee, Blink49 Studios is a full-service indie studio focused on the development, production, and monetization of premium scripted and unscripted content for a global market. Headquartered in Toronto with offices in Los Angeles, Blink49 Studios was formed in partnership with its anchor investor and lead strategic partner Endeavor Content. With a combined experience of innovative deal-making and strong relationships in the creative community, Blink49 Studios takes a content-first approach by partnering with best-in-class writers, creators, producers, and talent as well as supporting new and diverse voices.
ABOUT ENDEAVOR CONTENT
Endeavor Content is a global leader in the production and distribution of premium film and television content. The studio’s film titles include Book Club for Paramount Pictures, Blue Miracle for Netflix, Just Mercy for Warner Bros and Joe Bell with Roadside Attractions, as well as upcoming titles including The Lost Daughter for Netflix, Ambulance for Universal Pictures and My Best Friend’s Exorcism for Amazon. The studio produces premium TV series such as See and Truth Be Told on Apple TV+ and Nine Perfect Strangers and the upcoming Life & Beth for Hulu, Severance for Apple TV+ and Tokyo Vice for HBO Max. Endeavor Content also handles global distribution for hit series including Killing Eve, Normal People and The Night Manager. The studio brokered the deal with Netflix for multiple event series from the Roald Dahl Estate.
Endeavor Content is a division of Endeavor (NYSE: EDR), a global entertainment, sports, and content company.
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Pam Wilson
ed Division
