Well-known worldwide TV exec Michael Murphy is leaving Beyond after 19 years and has launched his personal enterprise.
Murphy has been with producer-distributor Beyond International for almost twenty years, however will launch Rockabill Media at MIPCOM Cannes with a trio of tasks.
Banijay closed an estimated $30M deal for Beyond in January, with Beyond distribution enterprise then assimilated into the Banijay Rights catalog.
The Ireland-based Murphy had been at Beyond since 2009, holding roles corresponding to General Manager for Beyond Distribution and, extra just lately, Executive Director of Beyond Entertainment Holdings and of specialist music content material producer and distributor BeyondTNC.
Murphy has owned a Rockabill Media entity since 2012 however is launching the manufacturing outfit as a brand new enterprise of the identical title. The operation will work on worldwide TV and movie tasks and supply consultancy in areas corresponding to content material technique, distribution, govt manufacturing and financing.
The enterprise opens this week, and is engaged on three tasks. The first of those is characteristic movie Ismael, which Murphy is engaged on as govt producer with Norwegian producer Tomas Backström (Insomnia). Set in Ireland and based mostly on the novel by Roy Jacobson, it tells the story of a former MI5 operative who should activate outdated abilities to guard his household.
Wir Sind Maschinen is billed as a landmark, three-part music doc sequence from The Act of Killing maker Spring Films exploring how German digital music modified the world. Murphy, who’s govt producer, takes the venture from BeyondTNC.
Details of the third venture are minimal, however Rockabill is consulting on a fund-raising spherical for a style manufacturing firm centered on adapting current female-led IP.
At Beyond, Murphy most just lately govt produced Mutiny in Heaven, the characteristic doc about Nick Cave’s band The Birthday Party, which premiered on the Melbourne International Festival final month. Before that, his roles included launching on-demand providers for Yes Television, Director of Programs at Ireland’s TV3, founding father of Irish community Channel 6 and CEO of Windmill Lane Entertainment.
“I’m excited to carry the Rockabill Media title again to the worldwide market and to take action now with a brand new focus and three sensible tasks main the cost,” mentioned Murphy. “I’m particularly delighted to proceed working with the unimaginable Spring Films workforce on Wir Sind Maschinen as it’s considerably of a ardour venture.
“However, as I’ve labored as a broadcaster, producer and distributor, in addition to in put up manufacturing and VFX — and have constructed an enviable worldwide community — I see Rockabill’s actual worth in advising on content material technique after which serving to IP house owners to comply with probably the most related — and profitable — inventive and business paths.”
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