We are excited to present a Development Masterclass with Damian Kavanagh, former boss of BBC Three and newly appointed MD of Tiger Aspect, alongside Cat Lynch and Kate Stannard from Initial TV, the brains behind shows like Big Brother, Total Wipeout and MTV’s The Royal World.

This is a unique opportunity to hear from both sides of the table - in-house development AND channel commissioner - on how to get an idea over the line. How do development teams generate fresh ideas, how can you write a standout treatment, and what is the secret of a killer pitch? Come find out from the best in the biz.

Meet the panel:

Damian Kavanagh – Managing Director of Tiger Aspect and former Controller of BBC Three.

Damian Kavanagh took on the role of MD at Tiger Aspect earlier this year and is responsible for the creative and strategic direction of the company.

Tiger Aspect, an Endemol Shine Company, is one of the UK’s most successful and prolific independent television producers, making award winning and critically acclaimed programmes spanning factual, drama, comedy and entertainment. Their programmes include Murder in Successville, Man Like Mobeen, Peaky Blinders and My Mad Fat Diary.

Previously, as Controller of BBC Three, Damian was responsible for commissioning for the channel. He took control of BBC 3 in December 2014, tasked with reinventing the BBC’s offering for young people and oversaw the channel’s migration online in February 2016.

Under his leadership, BBC Three achieved significant growth, winning RTS Channel of The Year and Channel of the Year at the Broadcast Digital Awards in 2017. He also introduced the likes of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Daisy and Charlie Cooper and Stacey Dooley to a BBC audience.

 

Catherine Lynch – Creative Director at Initial TV and former Head of Development.

Cat Lynch became Creative Director at Initial in 2016 and was formerly their Head of Development since 2011, overseeing the creative output of the company and exec producing key shows, such as The Almost Impossible Game Show and Being Kellie Maloney.

In 2018 her role was expanded and now, alongside Katy Manly, she manages Initial. Together they are responsible for overseeing the company’s creative output and productions.

The company is behind productions such as Big Brother, Total Wipeout, Tenable, The Almost Impossible Gameshow, Big Box Little Box and Soccer Aid, which has so far raised over £17 million for UNICEF.

Cat started her career as an Endemol creative intern, and following work in production and development for companies including Monkey and ITV Studios, returned to Endemol in 2007.

 

Kate Stannard – New Head of Development at Initial TV and former Head of Entertainment at Possessed TV.

Kate Stannard joined Initial as Head of Development last year and is responsible for generating new ideas, managing a growing development slate and working with Co-Creative Directors Cat Lynch and Katy Manley to drive the company’s creative strategy and to win new business.

Building on the recently announced strategy to reimagine non-scripted formats for 16-34s, as well as focusing on quiz and gameshow formats, Kate is charged with developing shows for a diverse range of broadcasters and platforms.

Previously Kate was Head of Entertainment at Possessed TV (part of ITV Studios) where she developed and produced shows including Cash Trapped, 5 Gold Rings, Pick Me and BBC One’s Catchpoint.

 

Host: Anna Cronin - Director of Digital Content at BBC Studios

Our host, Anna Cronin, has been recently appointed BBC Studios’ Director of Digital Content.

She is responsible for coming up with a global vision for BBC Studios digital content across all genres, future platforms and formats. Anna will also spearhead BBC Studios’ hunt for new digital talent and IP.

Anna joined BBC Studios in February 2017 and prior to that, she served as head of digital for Rocket Digital at Sir Elton John’s Rocket Pictures. Before that, she was head of digital for London Live, commissioning editor for Channel 4 and development associate for ITV.

 

Event Details: 

Date: Tuesday 9th July

Timings: 6.45pm for a 7.00pm start

Venue: RocketSpace, 40 Islington High Street, London, UK, N1 8EQ

 

Booking Details:

Tickets for RTS Members are complimentary but must be booked in advance. Tickets for non RTS members are £10

(Please note a tickets are non-refundable)