September 27th, 2007
‘Spooks’ brand franchise grows with new licensing deals

Metrostar, the licensing and literary agent formed by ex-BBC Worldwide marketer Claire Potter, has announced new licensing deals for Kudos Film and Television’s drama hit, ‘Spooks’.

GE Fabbri is testing a DVD partwork in October this year, and ‘Harry’s Diary’ - the second in a series of three fiction works published by Headline, will be launched against ‘Spooks’ forthcoming transmission, also in October. Metrostar is also in the final stages of negotiations with videogames publishers and mobile games companies.

First screened in 2002, Spooks is currently in its sixth series on BBC One and regularly attracts an audience of over 6 million viewers weekly. It is based upon the adventures of ‘Section B’ – a crack team of spies in MI5’s counter-terrorism department, whose job it is to outwit the country’s smartest criminal minds. The writers and cast were advised by ex MI5 officers which helps to give a unique insight into how spies operate and the way their job affects their personal relationships. The BBC has recently commissioned a seventh series for 2008.

Kudos’ Commercial Director, Daniel Isaacs said:

“Spooks has established itself as one of the most successful drama brands on television with an incredibly loyal fan base. We are delighted to see it extending into consumer products which will bring it even closer to this group and extend its appeal still further.”

Metrostar’s Claire Potter comments,

“Spooks is one of the UK’s most successful television drama brands and licensees are really starting to see its potential. We plan to grow the range of licences in 2008 to mirror those of US high-action dramas, like ‘24’ and ‘CSI’.”

ends –

Contact Claire Potter, Metrostar, 07989 940181
Contact Daniel Isaacs, Kudos Film and Television, 0207 812 3270
Stand number : 459

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 Kudos, clients include Fremantle, Optomen, Hotbed Media, Derek Acorah and Parallel Films.

Claire Potter began her career at Unilever and held senior marketing positions with Ladbrokes, BBC Worldwide and the Guardian Media Group before founding Metrostar.

Kudos Film and Television
In a little over a decade, Kudos has amassed an impressive catalogue of television and film, creating original, popular, award-winning work with flair and intelligence and a keen sense of emerging talent. Kudos has become, under the leadership of Joint Managing Directors Stephen Garrett and Jane Featherstone, an international force as a production entity of quality and distinction. Their other shows include the popular BBC drama about the loveable con tricksters, ‘Hustle’ and the critically-acclaimed BBC time-travelling police dramas, ‘Life On Mars’ and ‘Ashes to Ashes’.