EXCLUSIVE: Nick and Jon Hamm’s Free Turn Entertainment has hired Robbie Ashcroft as managing partner.
Ashcroft will join Free Turn’s management team in London and Los Angeles. He comes from The Story Lab and will work on the audio page and new TV and Movieslate partnerships, among other things.
Ashcroft was most recently an international development partner at The Story Lab, where he partnered with Global Media and Entertainment to create a new development and production fund for “original audio projects with multi-platform potential.” This led to the green light for podcasts like John Sweeney’s Search for Ghislaine.
At The Story Lab, the content arm of Japanese advertising giant Dentsu, Ashcroft also managed a strategic partnership between its parent company and Yahoo to create mixed reality TV formats from an XR smart stage in Holborn, London. Interstellar used this partnership for its show All Star dances outon ITV2 in 2021.
“Robbie is a rare breed, he has a strong creative mind with a deep understanding of the multi-platform entertainment landscape, giving him a unique perspective on the future of the industry in all its existing and emerging forms,” said Jon Hamm, CEO of free turn
“Whether it’s creating immersive audio drama, developing new television shows or directing films, Free Turn will always strive to create something truly original. Robbie will be a great addition to the team to make that happen.”
Gigi and Nate Director Nick Hamm launched Free Turn in 2020 with his executive producer brother Jon and former WPP executive Gemma Batterby to create films, TV shows and “immersive audio,” Deadline revealed at the time.
The productions contain features Gigi and Nate, starring Academy Award winner Marcia Gay Harden, Charlie Rowe, Josephine Langford, Zoe Colleti, Hannah Alligood, Jim Belushi and Diane Ladd. It was originally known as evolution. Roadside released the project in 2022 in the US. Several projects are expected to land next year.
Ashcroft added, “Free Turn’s ability to bring together all international creative talent across its breadth of audio, film and television projects is extraordinary. Coupled with the ambition to deliver an entertainment company that streams IP on all these mediums, it was clear that joining the team was a no-brainer. We have big plans for the future and I can’t wait to start living them out.”
His departure from the UK branch of The Story Lab is the second in recent weeks. Format expert and head of acquisitions Luci Sanan has stepped down this month after seven years, we have revealed.
Author: Jesse Whittock
Source: Deadline
Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
