AGC Studios bets on creators as its next source of TV and film talent

Independent film and television company AGC Studios is moving into the creator economy with a new division that will help creators turn their ideas into TV shows and films.

Called AGC Digital, the unit will work with creators to develop and finance projects, while providing access to AGC's production and global distribution network. The company said creators will retain control of the intellectual property they develop through the partnership.

The launch comes as more entertainment businesses look to turn the shows and formats being developed by digital creators into larger productions. Creator marketing agency Amplify launched a programme earlier this year to fund pilots for creator-owned shows, before partnering with TikTok on a separate initiative connecting brands with creators to fund episodic series.

AGC Digital will be led by Jared Jacobs, who joined the company after previously working at Warner Bros. Unscripted Television and creator-focused production company Night Studios.

At Night Studios, Jacobs helped develop projects with creators including MrBeast, Kai Cenat and Ryan Trahan.

“We are not here to borrow their audience; we are here to build something valuable with them,” Jacobs said.

Founded in 2018 by Stuart Ford, AGC has financed more than $1 billion worth of independent film and television production and worked on more than 50 film and TV projects, including Netflix documentary The Tinder Swindler.

Ford said AGC sees an opportunity to give creators who have already built large audiences on social platforms a route into mainstream television and film.

“So many of the most exciting storytellers of this generation are building huge audiences on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, but, for all but a very small number, the path into mainstream feature film and premium TV remains elusive,” he said.

AGC's move also follows WME's launch of Creator Labs, which is helping its talent develop and distribute their own content without having to build production and operations teams themselves.