April 2nd 2008
Metrostar to represent ‘Blake’s 7’

Metrostar, the brand licensing and literary agency headed by ex-BBC Worldwide marketer
Claire Potter, has been appointed by B7 Media to represent ‘Blake’s 7’.

Created by Terry Nation, creator of ‘the Doctor’s’ arch nemesis, the Daleks, the original ‘Blake's 7’ is one of the most popular sci-fi dramas of all time. Set in the future, at a time when Earth and many other planets are ruled by the totalitarian Terran Federation, it followed the adventures of Roj Blake and his band of outlaws as they challenged its supremacy. It ran for four series between 1978 and 1981, regularly attracting audiences of over 9 million.

In 2003, B7 Media acquired the format, script and character rights to ‘Blake’s 7’ with a view to re-imagining the brand for a new generation. To date, they have produced three hour-long audio dramas starring Daniela Nardini (This Life), Derek Riddell (No Angels) and Colin Salmon (James Bond, Alien vs. Predator and Resident Evil) broadcast over Christmas 2007 by BBC7. A further trilogy is planned along with a prequel audio series of adventures entitled “Blake’s 7: The Early Years”.

Their primary focus remains the development of a new ‘Blake’s 7’ television series with a 6 x 60 minute series currently in development with a UK broadcaster.

DVD box sets of the original four season TV series, were released by 2entertain in 2005 and 2006. Sales were in excess of 50,000 units, suggesting a strong and enduring interest in the brand.

Claire Potter comments,

“Blake’s 7 is an iconic science fiction brand with a committed fan base. We are delighted to be working with B7 Media to develop books and other publishing products that will relaunch this classic brand for a new generation”.

Andrew Mark Sewell of B7 Media comments,

“Metrostar have a fantastic reputation for delivering strong brand extensions to successful television shows and we are delighted to be working with them on the future cross-media revival of Blake’s 7.”

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Contact Claire Potter, Metrostar, 0207 317 0963 or 07989 940181
Contact Andrew Mark Sewell, B7 Media, 0118 934 9479 or 07779 648488

Notes to Editors:

Metrostar
Metrostar specialises in helping TV companies to generate new revenue streams by extending their programme brands into consumer products and books. In addition to B7 Media, clients include Fremantle, Optomen, Hotbed Media, Derek Acorah and Kudos Film & Television.

A brand manager by trade, Claire Potter began her career at Unilever and held senior marketing positions with Ladbrokes, BBC Worldwide and the Guardian Media Group before founding Metrostar in 2004.

B7 Media
B7 Media is a creative partnership that develops and produces multi-platform programming and formats for radio, television and film. One of the company’s major projects is the audio, animated and live action revival of the cult sci-fi television classic Blake’s 7.

Following its debut feature Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont, starring Joan Plowright, Rupert Friend and Anna Massey, B7M is currently working on its next feature, the psychological thriller, Recognition Gap. TV projects include documentaries Famous Monster (biography of Forrest J Ackerman – founding father of sci-fi fandom) and Space Babes, Wasp Women & Scream Queens (the women of sci-fi and horror). B7M is currently producing an on-going series of Blake’s 7 audio adventures for BBC7.