BBC Studios partners with Diving Bell Group for joint development of pitches

BBC Studios (BBCS) has struck a first-look and development deal with London-based talent and entertainment company Diving Bell Group.

Justin Girdler

The deal gives the commercial arm of the BBC a first look at content ideas from Diving Bell’s clients, who include international authors, digital creators, podcasters and TV presenters. The two companies will then collaborate to develop the ideas and pitch for commissions.

Kelly Webb-Lamb, formerly Channel 4’s deputy director of programmes and who already works with Diving Bell talent on a one-to-one basis, will identify opportunities for further development by the talent and the BBCS digital originals team.

Founded by Kim Butler and Justin Girdler in 2017, Diving Bell represents talent including: model, trans activist and cultural figure Munroe Bergdorf; feminist author, illustrator and influencer Florence Given; Gina Martin, who successfully led the national campaign to make ‘upskirting’ illegal; and Emma Gannon, whose careers podcast Ctrl Alt Delete has amassed over 10 million downloads.

Paul Hembury, director of talent at BBCS TalentWorks, said: “BBC Studios TalentWorks seeks to work with innovative new storytellers, and that’s why we’re delighted to be partnering with Diving Bell and supporting them and their impressive talent to develop ideas, enabling them tell even bigger, bolder stories.”

Girdler, Diving Bell co-founder and CEO, said: “As a young business we’re really proud to have already contributed to the significant success of several prominent individuals and to their incredible work. We’re attracted to talent and partners who are bold, compassionate and creative – all of which we find the team at TalentWorks to be.”