Jason Simms has launched Fusebox Entertainment, a new London-based scripted label developing a premium drama slate and offering scripted consultancy services to producers and financiers.
Simms will provide EP services and consultancy around development, co-production, financing and distribution to producers, networks and investors. He is also developing a drama co-pro slate, working with a range of creative and production partners. The consultancy side of the business has boarded clients in the U.S., U.K., New Zealand and Poland. Fusebox Entertainment has also landed co-pro and development deals with Fifth Season-backed Cosmopolitan Pictures and The Story Collective, Saga Film, and Richard Tulk-Hart and James Durie’s High Road Entertainment.
“A fusebox is a place where connections happen and electricity flows—and that’s exactly what I want this company to be,” Simms said. “A place that helps creatives, producers, distributors, financiers and platforms plug into new opportunities, ideas and partnerships together, to bring their dramas and comedies to life.”
He continued, “We all know building success in the global scripted market is incredibly hard. Changing commissioning priorities, consolidation, audience fragmentation, dwindling margins and ever-more complex financing are among the many headwinds we’re all facing. Forging the right connections to build projects isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ anymore; it’s now a creative and commercial imperative.”
Simms led commercial strategy, deficit financing and producer relationships at Sky Studios. Previously, he was SVP of global acquisitions at Fox Networks Group. “I’ve been fortunate to have worked across many facets of the scripted business in my career,” Simms said. “I know what buyers are looking for, I know how to make co-productions actually work across borders, and I’ve built the local and global relationships to bring the right partners together to do that. MIPCOM feels like the right stage to switch Fusebox on, and I’m excited to see more sparks flying in the months ahead!”
