Inside RedBird IMI’s $1.45B acquisition: A conversation with All3Media CEO Jane Turton

In a highly anticipated keynote at the 40th edition of Mipcom in Cannes, All3Media CEO Jane Turton shed light on the strategic motivations behind RedBird IMI’s monumental $1.45 billion acquisition of the esteemed TV production powerhouse behind the hit series The Traitors.

Unveiling the driving force

During an engaging fireside conversation at Mipcom, Turton highlighted the key elements that drove RedBird IMI’s decision to invest. “It’s definitely the IP,” Turton stated. “People want to see growth. They want something that’s been consistently growing with a management team that understands margins. The breadth of our portfolio was particularly appealing to them.”

A vision for growth

The conversation delved into RedBird IMI’s vision for future growth with All3Media. “You don’t buy something to watch it plateau,” Turton emphasized, suggesting that RedBird IMI saw potential in expanding and scaling the production house’s already impressive capabilities.

From exhausting sales to strategic expansions

Turton, who took the reins as CEO of All3Media in 2015, admitted that the process of the sale was “exhausting.” Since stepping into her role, Turton has expanded All3Media’s portfolio from 19 to 40 production labels, illustrating her strategic acumen. “It’s a lot nicer being out of the process now. We’re very confident in our long-term plan,” she shared.

Scripted versus unscripted

Turton gave insight into the strategic direction for All3Media. Recognized for producing popular unscripted hits like The Traitors and the BAFTA award-winning Squid Game: The Challenge, the company is now eyeing significant growth in its scripted segment. “We’ve identified gaps where we need to get stronger,” Turton explained. “We’ve already bolstered our scripted offerings and will continue to do so.”

With global streaming platforms like Netflix fueling an adrenaline rush into scripted content, Turton believes the landscape has changed dramatically. “Big platforms have created opportunities that didn’t exist before,” she noted.

The universal appeal of local drama

Turton expressed confidence in the potential for domestic drama to resonate universally. “There’s a difference between global and universal, and it’s not just semantics. Good local drama has universal appeal,” she asserted.

High-end documentaries: A narrative triumph

Shifting focus to All3Media’s ventures in high-end theatrical documentaries, Turton spotlighted Endurance, a film about Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition, premiering at the BFI London Film Festival and releasing in cinemas across the U.K. The film utilizes advanced AI tools to bring the legendary explorer’s mission to life. “I think it’s all about the brilliant storytelling,” Turton emphasized. “No one would have predicted the impact of this documentary.”

The documentary, soon streaming on Disney+, incorporates original footage from Shackleton’s 1914 trip, beautifully enhanced and colored, interwoven with new footage from 2022. The clever use of AI even revives voices from the past, creating an immersive and authentic narrative experience.

A strategic conversation

The keynote was part of the “C-Suite Conversations” series, featuring leading industry executives discussing their insights. Alongside Turton, other prominent figures included Channing Dungey, Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group, and Tony Vinciquerra, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Jane Turton’s keynote provided a detailed look into the promising future of All3Media under RedBird IMI’s ownership. It underscored the crucial role of strategic growth, diversification, and innovative storytelling in the constantly evolving world of television production.

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