Phillip Covell

Consultant & Advisor - Film, TV & Media

• A management consultant and advisor, providing expertise in broadcast, streaming, subscriptions, creative content, film and TV production, broadcast & film technology, facilities, sales, and manufacturing. I have worked with world-leading production studios, independent filmmakers, and companies in the Film & TV supply chain.

Areas:
• Business Development, Management & Strategy.
• Broadcast & Streaming.
• Production, Content Creation & Strategy.
• Subscriptions.
• Satellite, Cable, IPTV, OTT, Streamed, SVOD, AVOD, FAST, UHD, HD and IP Radio.
• EMEA, N. American, LATAM, APAC and Oceania Strategy.
• Scripted & Unscripted.
• Features, Drama, Entertainment, Music, Documentary, News & Factual, Sport, Commercials.
• Digital, Technology & Film.
• Large Format, 16mm, 35mm, 65mm.
• Cameras, Lenses, Grip & Lighting.
• Broadcast & Film Equipment Rental, Sales & Manufacturing.
• Post-Production, Colour Grading & VFX.
• Policy & Standards Documents & Reports Written.
• Subject Matter Expert & Expert Witness.
• Headhunting & Recruitment.
• C-Level & NED appointments considered.
• Speaker & Guest Lecturer.

• I participate in high-level discussions on Virtual Production and AI R&D with key industry thought leaders.

• I completed an engagement as advisor and Interim Chief Commercial Officer (2023) for an international post-production and VFX Studio, advising the CEO over a 12 month period. Established UK operations, overseeing the bidding process and installation of a $100K post-production suite. Successfully led recruitment of the Head of Operations.

• In 2021 I proposed a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) to fund the consolidation of companies in the Film & TV supply chain .

• Co-founder and joint recipient of the IBC 2022 Special Prize for supporting Ukrainian media professionals. Networked >400 individuals from >280 companies and organisations to keep Ukrainian television on the air, while providing support and aid to refugees.

AVTN | NewsNet24-7

A broadcast news network start-up covering every aspect of aviation, and other under-served, under-exploited markets.

• I spearheaded the global news network startup, leading fund-raising for £218M to establish a commercial and operational framework for bureaus in London, New York, Singapore, and Amsterdam.


• Headed presentations and meetings with VCs, corporates, TMTs, and sovereign wealth funds with fund values up to $275B, securing a conditional offer of $20M and backing for an IPO. Additionally, gained a unicorn valuation of >$1.2BN.

• Controlled business, financial and organisational strategy, including budgets, P&L, and balance sheets, with a forecasted growth of 6.49%, revenues of >£300M by year 4, and >6% dividends, underpinned by analytics and 2.7M data points.

• Developed a B2C global and regional strategy for a household reach of >540M (EMEA, N. America, LATAM, APAC) and championed innovative applications of AI, ML, and Blockchain for cost-effective content solutions.

• Formulated an innovation-focused technology strategy for satellite, cable, OTT, streaming, AVOD, SVOD, HD, UHD, and technical specifications for end-to-end digital content acquisition, post-production, and play-out workflows.

• Led creative strategy for editorial content creation production development, programming, production planning and scheduling, rights management, and best practice compliance policies and governance.

• Negotiated with vendors to build strategic stakeholder partnerships and a team of over 100 B2B contributors.

• Established high-level relationships in EU government bodies engaging with regulators on governance and regulation. 

• Attended exclusive events with Heads of State, Senators, Ambassadors, Diplomats and Industry leaders.

I can bring the knowledge and skills gained from this experience to your organisation.

Chief Executive Officer

• Fostering business development opportunities during the AVTN NewsNet24-7 period, my business partner Kinny Cheng, and I were approached to consider the market position and viability of a newly proposed UK Football channel. 

•  Utilising the market research and data processes developed for AVTN NewsNet24-7, the resulting database of some >700 Football Keywords and 550 teams including the FIFA Top 100 and UK and Scottish Leagues was compiled, with analysis of Internet search results, social media presence and following recorded. The attached presentation is a window on our more comprehensive body of work and market research.

I can bring the knowledge and skills gained from this experience to your organisation.

Football TV Channel Consultancy

LEQ - Lightweight Equipment

Broadcast & film technology hire, production, personnel, creative services, sales.

• Successfully managed and expanded operations, building a solid client base including international Film, TV & Media giants - BBC, CBS, C4, ITV, NBC, Sky.

• Implemented effective B2B business strategies, providing production, production technology and personnel contracts.

• Delivered high-quality production contracts for various projects, including films with budgets up to $115M, TV dramas, scripted/unscripted shows, motorsport, documentaries, music videos, commercials and awards.

• Provided training for a $10M ITN/Accenture EMEA News project, ensuring successful completion of the project.

• Successfully advised a leading VFX company, securing a $2.8M technology sale to a high-profile studio project in China. 

• Clients: ARD, BBC, CBS, C4, CNBC, Dorna, Endemol, ITV, ITN, Nat. Geo., NBC Universal, NHK, Saatchi & Saatchi, Shine, Sky, Talkback, Tiger Aspect, TWI.

• Productions supplied: Cheeni Kum, Heroes & Villains, K19: Widowmaker, Kabhi Khushi Kabbie Gham, Patiala House, Blue Murder, Catterick, Get Carmen – Trials of George Carmen QC, Goodbye Mr Steadman, Pinochet in Suburbia, Mighty Boosh, 60 Minutes - Sting, Al Gore Meets Clive Anderson, Sir David Attenborough's Breathing Planet Campaign, Dangerous Passions, Garden ER, Grand Designs, Hampton Court Flower Show, Human Instinct, Speed (TV Series), Moto GP, NBC’s Today Show & Dateline (Katie Couric interviews: Olivia Harrison, J.K. Rowling), Secret History, America’s Next Top Model, Bands Reunited.

• Music: Anastacia, Annie Lennox, Bill Wyman, Bluetones, Bryan Adams, C&C Music Factory, Graham Coxon, Take That, The Feeling, The Saturdays, Wild Hearts, UB40.

• Projects: BAFTA, BFI, BP, Daniel Hechter, DFS, Honda, Kew Gardens, MasterCard, Ministry of Sound, Natwest, O2, Sainsbury’s, Samsung, Tarmac, Tesco, Toni & Guy, Visa, Vodafone, Wella, Greenwich, Warwick, Wolverhampton Uni's.

Founder

The Lightweight Equipment Co.

A broadcast and film technology hire, production, personnel, creative services, and sales.

• Successfully set strategic direction, driving accelerated revenue growth of 37% in two years, winning a £155K production equipment contract for the Sydney Olympics and boosting brand profile with a $250K investment in Aerocrane.

• Delivered technical and creative contracts, such as The Human Body (BBC / IMAX) and The Nutcracker (IMAX).

• Secured $500K of strategic partnerships from VFG Group, coordinating with management in the UK, US, and Australia across equipment hire operations, sales, manufacturing, and finance, and cutting import tariffs by up to 14%.

• Conducted due diligence for a £7.4M acquisition of 36 local television broadcasting licenses by VFG, reviewing documentation during the formation of the Local Broadcasting Group subsidiary.

• Successfully averted the collapse of a $250K sale when a US corporation breached a Chapter 11 court order.

• Clients: Alibi, BBC, C4, Carlton TV, ITN, NHK, Sky, Talkback, Thames, Tiger Aspect, TWI, Zenith and many more.

• Productions supplied: Births Marriages & Deaths, Hunting Venus, London Bridge, Animal Hospital, Grand Designs, Robert Winston’s Frontiers of Medicine and Superhuman, The Divine Comedy, V Festival, FIA Drag Racing Championships and many more.

• Projects: Hoover, The Lawn Tennis Association, Mercedes McLaren West, The Premier League, The Rugby Union, Woolwich.

I can bring the knowledge and skills gained from this experience to your organisation.

Managing Director

VFG Ireland

First international base of operations for VFG PLC, the production technology hire, sales, and manufacturing group.

• Successfully delivered the contract to establish operations, recruit and manage the team within a six-month timeframe.

• Generated impressive first-year revenues of £2.2M, showcasing a solid start to the business.

• Supplied Animal Farm (Hallmark) budget of $23M, successfully negotiated Ballykissangel, and won RTE as a client.

• Controlled a multi-million-pound broadcast and film technology fleet, ensuring seamless operations and delivery.

I can bring the knowledge and skills gained from this experience to your organisation.

General Manager

Launched VFG spin-off, providing corporate management, technical and creative production services.

• I spearheaded production services and agile management roles for VFG Group, contributing to growth of 93% as the company evolved into a multinational PLC with over 900 clients, 500 personnel, revenues exceeding £20M, and a valuation over £100M, financed by venture capital and an IPO.

• I conducted smooth asset integration for over £4M worth of VFG acquisitions, as the group added five operations and 10 businesses to its portfolio, with additional responsibility for overseeing specialist operations.

• I skilfully negotiated over £1M of technology procurement and disposals for VFG.

• I maintained and grew a Tier-1 client list of broadcasting corporations, production studios, and independent productions.


• I conceived numerous advertising campaigns, developing VFG's marketing media and corporate communications.

• Clients: BBC, Sky, Carlton TV, Channel 4, Chrysalis, CMTV, Discovery, Fox TV, Granada TV, HTV, ITN, Thames TV, Meridian, Mentorn, MTV, NHK, RAI TV, RTE, RTL, Talkback, Warner Bros, ZDF...

• Productions supplied:  Downtime, Hard Men, The Big Swap, Treasure Island, Woundings, Peak Practice, The Uninvited, Thief Takers, Decisive Weapons – Spitfire, Great Composers, Omnibus, Timewatch, Jo Brand – Through the Cakehole.

• Music: ABC, Cathy Mattea, Cliff Richard’s ‘Heathcliff,’ Gretchen Peters, Oasis Live at Earls Court, Sinead O’Connor, Steve Earle, Suzy Bogus, Trisha Yearwood, Wet Wet Wet Live.

• Projects: Athletics Association, BMW, Diageo, Indesit, National Savings, News International, News of the World, Observer, Procter & Gamble, Shell, Sony, Subaru, Volkswagen, Volvo.

I can bring the knowledge and skills gained from this experience to your organisation.

Video Film & Grip - VFG PLC

A Production Technology Hire, Sales and Manufacturing Group.

• I was a founding member of the management team that established VFG, contributing to an average growth of 79% in this period. I supervised special projects reporting to the CEO.

• I expertly serviced broadcasting corporation and production company projects, delivering customer service, oversight, planning, logistics and collaborating in creative roles.

• Equipment: 16mm, 35mm, Aaton, ARRI, Moviecam cameras, Sony Cameras, Angenieux, Canon, Cooke, Zeiss lenses, Chapman dollies/cranes, Fisher dollies, Egripment cranes, Remote heads...

• Operations & Businesses: London Imex House, Manchester (1991), HTV Hire Cardiff (1993), London moves to Alliance Court (1995), Ronford Ltd (Shepperton), Bristol, VFG Sales (1996), VFG Finance, Formatt Filters (opening LA offices), Isle of Man Studio, GP Film Services, VFG Insurance, Camera Associates (Pinewood), Film Game (1997), Michael Samuelson Lighting, Glasgow, Dublin, Belfast, New London HQ (1998), EBU Equipment Finance (1997), Electric Light Company, FSC Blanx (1999), VFG Australia (2000), and The Local Broadcast Group (2000).

• Clients: BBC, Border TV, Sky, Carlton TV, CBC, CBS, Channel 4, Channel TV, Chrysalis, CMTV, Fox TV, Grampian TV, Granada TV, HTV, ITN, Thames TV, LWT, MTV, NBC, NHK, RAI TV, RTE, RTL, Talkback, Tyne Tees TV, Ulster TV, Yorkshire TV, ZDF, and many more.

• Productions supplied by VFG: Bridget Jones's Diary, Hallmark / Henson’s Animal Farm, Walk with Lions, Treasure Island (1997), Waking Ned, 51st State, Ballykissangel, Tenth Kingdom, Thief Takers, Hornblower, Harbour Lights, Merchant of Venice, Coronation Street, Brookside, Last of the Summer Wine, Peak Practice, Holby City, Hollyoaks, Band of Gold, The Knock, The Vice, City Central, Grafters, Space Island One, and more.

I can bring the knowledge and skills gained from this experience to your organisation.

Technical Manager

I am an accomplished C-level Executive with extensive experience spearheading all aspects of business, with broad ranging financial, operational, technical, and creative expertise across the Film, TV and Media sectors. I'm an experienced entrepreneur, highly analytical leader and corporate strategist with big picture vision, and expertise in enhancing operational efficiency and increasing business exposure and profitability. I have a strong strategic business sense, forging relationships and partnerships across multiple organisational levels, teams, and stakeholders. 

I'm experienced collaborating with production studios, broadcasting corporations and independent productions, supplying technology, services and personnel. I have delivered production, technical and creative roles on over 300 productions across small to large scripted and unscripted projects. 

BUSINESS EXPERTISE: 

•	Entrepreneurship & Startups
•	Leadership, Vision & Strategy
•	Revenues & Sales Management
•	Business Development
•	Commercial Management
•	Planning & Implementation
•	Financial Management
•	Projections & Forecasting
•	Budgeting & KPI Management
•	Asset Management
•	Operations & Logistics
•	Project Management
•	Supply Chain Management
•	Stakeholder Management
•	Continuous Improvement
•	Risk Management & Compliance
•	Team Building & Recruitment
•	Social Media & Digital Marketing

FILM, TV & MEDIA EXPERTISE:
•	Broadcasting & Streaming
•	Production & Content Creation
•	Scripted & Unscripted
•	Digital Technology & Film
•	Cameras, Lenses, Grip & Lighting
•	Equipment Hire & Post-Production
•	Health and Safety

Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)

iGene is a leading VFX and Colour Grading Company with bases in London, Chennai, and Singapore, employing some 250 talented and experienced VFX artists. 

Offering Baselight and DaVinci Resolve colour grading suites, 2D and 3D VFX solutions, we are continually driving creativity and ingenuity for clients ranging from Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney, and the Hollywood majors as well as independent partners in Film, TV, OTT and DTH content worldwide.

Founded in 2013, we are an agile industry player and have been hands-on VFX experts for a decade. Headquartered in London, UK with a production base in India, we’re a robust team of VFX professionals, who are highly trained in the industry-standard tools, workflows and pipelines.
 
iGene DI & VFX has been a TPN Gold Certified and Content Protected studio since 2019 and we cater in end-to-end VFX services to leading Productions Studios around the world, particularly in North America, Canada, UK, Australia, and Asian regions. A global VFX service provider working with with tier-one creatives on Features, HETV, Episodic, Commercial, and Immersive Experiences.
 
Our network of integrated facilities provides a full range of VFX services including Roto, Paint, Matchmove, Compositing, 3D Animation, Colour Grading, Pre-vis, Post-vis look development as well as on-set VFX supervision.
 
iGene's expanding portfolio consists of:
Mission Impossible - Fallout, Deadpool, The Avengers, Antman, SIREN, 47 Meters Down, Fast & Furious 9, Call Of The Wild, CATS, Morbius, Skyfire, The Stranded, Grisse, SEA, Spiderman - No Way Home, The Grey Man, The Crown, Godzilla vs Kong, Stranger Things, The Batman, The Boys, as well as numerous other Productions, Commercials, Location Based Entertainment (LBE) Content, VR Projects & much more...

Contact me to discuss all your Colour Grading and VFX production needs.

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