C4, Motion Content launch ethnic prodco fund
March 18, 2022
Channel 4 and Motion Content Group have launched a multi-million pound fund to boost commissions from small and medium sized ethnically diverse-led production companies.
The Channel 4 and Motion Content Group Diverse Indies Fund will be editorially overseen by Channel 4 Senior Commissioning Editor Vivienne Molokwu (picturd). For Motion Content Group (part of GroupM, WPP’s media investment group), the fund will be managed by Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Deep Sehgal.
Channel 4 says the new and dedicated fund is designed to support ethnically diverse-led companies and is about backing and bringing to life ideas from creative leaders who are from diverse ethnic groups.
Molokwu said “At Channel 4 we recognise that spend is what makes the difference to indies and if we want to meaningfully diversify our suppliers, we have to supercharge increasing the hours commissioned with ethnically diverse-led indies. Although we already work closely with a number of eligible indies and have already become the first broadcaster to ring-fence commissioning spend for ethnically diverse-led indies, by working with Motion Content Group we increase the opportunity for returnable, commercial formats further reflecting our genuine commitment made as part of the Black to Front Project to significant, lasting change.”
Deep Sehgal from Motion said: “Our aim is to help create a sustainable pipeline of diverse production talent – and we’re bringing that to life with substantial, long-term investment. Motion continues to work with some of the most successful independent producers in the country, and we are passionate about lending that expertise to enabling and supporting more diverse voices.”