EQ Media Group appoints Amy Schaeffer for unscripted development in NZ

EQ Media Group Australia & New Zealand has expanded its development division with the appointment of Amy Schaeffer as head of unscripted development in New Zealand.

Amy Schaeffer

Schaeffer, who has worked across a slate of unscripted projects including Crypto Bros, How Did You Do That? and The Garden Pantry, is based in EQ Media Group’s Auckland office.

An experienced researcher and writer with a background in television presenting, audience analysis and communications, Schaeffer will work alongside exec producer Richard Fletcher in New Zealand and general manager/exec producer Brendan Dahill in Sydney.

EQ Media Group produces drama, documentaries, non-scripted series and lifestyle programming out of its joint Sydney and LA head offices, in addition to its production hub in Auckland.

International productions coming out of EQ Media Group in Auckland include upcoming Cooks on Fire for TVNZ and Griff’s Canadian Adventure for Channel 4, BBC First Canada, Eden and ABC in Australia.

The prodco is also behind Rhys Darby Big in Japan (TVNZ, Network 10 Australia, Abacus Media Rights), This Could Go Anywhere (Prime, Abacus Media Rights) and Under the Vines, a comedy-drama coproduced with Libertine Pictures for AMC Networks’ Acorn TV and TVNZ.

EQ Media New Zealand-based Fletcher said the appointment highlights EQ Media Group’s commitment to bringing foreign investment from international coproduction partners to develop Kiwi stories and tell them to the world.

Schaeffer added: “We want to see more Kiwi faces on screen, which drives a demand for Kiwi stories. I am excited to be able to create more local stories for both domestic and international audiences and have a passion to see New Zealand content succeed on both local and global stages.”