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Pre-eminent creatives Philipp Steffens and Julie Link launch new international production and talent management company in partnership wth Federation Entertainment
19 January 2022. Acclaimed television executives Philipp Steffens and Julie Link are setting up a new creatively-led production and talent management company, GLISK, in partnership with Federation Entertainment, a global company which focuses on the creation, production, financing and distribution of high quality original productions via a stable of independent studios.
Federation Entertainment has embarked on a period of expansion and global growth over the last 12 months. The company has partnered with US-based entertainment studio Anonymous Content to launch a joint venture to create TV and film projects for the French and global markets; has expanded its US footprint launching and LA-based management and production company Animal Federation; has set up a new UK operation, and produced global hit Around the World in 80 Days.
GLISK is a multifaceted company, producing scripted, unscripted and formats for the German domestic marketplace alongside international multi-genre co-productions with global appeal as well as focusing on bringing German content and brands to an international audience. The company will also act as a talent management company for established and rising stars including actors, writers and directors.
The two principals and co-founders at GLISK each have a renowned track record in both fiction and non-fiction in Germany and internationally.
Philipp Steffens is an award-winning fiction producer with extensive experience at major European broadcasters and production companies. He created and produced the critically acclaimed mini-series, “The Valley”, for TNT Germany, as well as the hit German TV series, “The Last Cop” (“Der Letzte Bulle” in German), which won both a German Television Award and Jupiter Award for Best Series. The format sold worldwide and the Spanish version received an International Emmy Award in 2019. Steffens also produced, Flying Home, a film starring Jamie Dornan and directed by Academy Award-nominee, Dominic Deruddere. In 2014, he became Head of Fiction at RTL Television and was responsible for all drama and comedy productions, including the international hit series, “Deutschland ‘83”.
Julie Link is a producer and creative executive with over 20 years’ experience at major studios in the US and Europe. Most recently she was Managing Director at Splendid Studios, where she produced theatrical success Misfit.
Holding senior positions as International Consultant for Critical Content and EVP Development at Relativity Television, she developed brand-defining content including international hit, “Catfish: The TV Show” and Emmy-winning format, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”, both of which are still airing in the US with the formats selling worldwide.
Pascal Breton, founder and President, Federation Entertainment says: “Germany was the last major European country where Federation had yet to establish a solid presence because we were waiting to meet the right partners. Julie Link and Philipp Steffens are those partners. Julie and Philipp perfectly embody the balance between artistic excellence and an ambition to engage our ever-growing audiences, particularly on digital platforms. We hope that our combined forces will attract even more talent for our management activities and also to develop and co-produce a large slate of independent productions. Federation’s contribution to the gaps in development, pre-sales, and distribution financing should allow Julie and Philipp and their partners to launch more productions in the coming years and we look forward to working with them.”
Philipp Steffens and Julie Link Co-Founders at GLISK add: “As husband and wife we have wanted to work together for a long time and the last year has provided the perfect environment for us to make our dream a reality. Our aim is to build a company which offers great partnership opportunities to the creative community. We want to be an incubator for great ideas and bring them to light creating engaging and emotional content that travels globally. We couldn’t ask for a better partner than Federation Entertainment – they have a real understanding of our goals and will be an incredible support as we are able to tap into the outstanding talent at the global network of independent studios. From our base in Cologne, we are thrilled to join Federation Entertainment’s growing team to develop content with real global outreach.”
Studio Legal in Berlin and Frieh and Associates in Paris handled the deal.
For further information, please contact DDA:
Janet Balmforth Tel: + 44 (0) 7748 185656 or email janet.balmforth@ddapr.com
Notes to editors:
About Federation Entertainment:
Led by Pascal Breton and Lionel Uzan, Federation heralds a new breed of independent European studios, focusing on the creation, production, financing and distribution of high-quality original productions for the global marketplace. Federation Entertainment works with the best worldwide talents and partners in the industry to create a strong distribution portfolio as well as an array of premium international productions. Only eight years after its creation, the production and distribution studio based in Paris, Los Angeles, Rome, Madrid, London, Berlin, Cologne and Tel-Aviv boasts 130 full time employees, a number which continues to grow monthly.
Active in the drama, kids & family, documentary and light entertainment space, Federation works with all platforms and major broadcasters in the market. Its rich portfolio includes major award-winning and international successes such as the cult spy series The Bureau (50 X 52’), the financial thriller Bad Banks (12 x 52’), the Netflix original hit series Baby (now 3 seasons), Find Me In Paris (78 X 26′), the premium live action hit for tweens, Partisan, (6 X 52’), Best series award at CanneSeries 2020, In Treatment, the adaptation of cult format BeTipul by Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache for ARTE, Around the World in 80 Days starring David Tennant, produced for the European Alliance (France Televisions, ZDF, Rai), BBC and PBS Masterpiece; as well as Varane, Destin de Champion (Amazon Prime-Video), to name a few.
