Heaney to take care of business with new rights firm

September 6, 2012 by Barry Walsh

Paul Heaney, former president and managing director of Cineflix Rights, is launching his own rights ownership and distribution company, TCB Media Rights.

The company intends to work with international producers and broadcasters “from the earliest stage” to push forward ideas with the most global appeal and develop IP. It also will aim to maximize returns for clients by developing productions across multiple platforms, facilitating series co-financing, and securing pre-sales.

According to the company, discussions have begun with “significant investor partners” as it moves forward in its executive search. Heaney is currently looking to appoint a COO.

“The rights and content distribution market has changed substantially over the last decade, with new technologies and emerging markets presenting both challenges and opportunities to the industry,” said Heaney via a statement. “The old models are being updated already by the smarter players in the rights exploitation business.

“TCB Media Rights will offer a fresh approach to doing business in this new landscape, leading to greater returns on IP success. This more inclusive model for content owners and creators establishes a new collaborative relationship between distributor and producer/broadcaster, one which will offer a richer and deeper experience than that provided by the role of the traditional distributor.”

Speaking to realscreen, Heaney said the company will initially focus on factual content and formats “at least for the first year.” As for a client base, Heaney said he’s definitely keen to build a catalog that features the “bewildering array of talent” from the UK, as well as from the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Heaney left Cineflix Rights in the spring of 2012 after 10 years. Speaking to realscreen then, he said he wanted his next foray into distribution and rights exploitation to “reflect what’s going on right now. Broadcasters are looking at different methods and getting their [programs] funded through different means, so I want my next move to reflect that.”

TCB Media Rights will be at MIPCOM in October. Heaney said he will have “a few projects” on hand in various stages of development and completion, “from the bouquet of indies I’m working with now.”

Tags: Cineflix Rights, Paul Heaney, TCB Media Rights