Media Musketeers is a European producer and distributor of international, high-end television series that champions the creative community and delivers valuable IP to market.
The Musketeers
Sebastien Janin, Andy Docherty, Chris Law and Patrick Swiderski collectively deliver several decades of experience gained in production, distribution, finance and acquisitions.
The company is perfectly positioned between traditional television and the new digital media economy, providing an innovative response to the dynamics and challenges of this evolving marketplace.
Sébastien Janin
Sébastien is an international media business manager with over 20 years’ experience in finance and distribution for some of Europe’s biggest entertainment companies, including Canal+. Sébastien was responsible for the launch of iTunes international movie business ten years ago and thereafter, for managing Apple’s relationship with independent film producers and distributors. As a managing partner at Media Musketeers, Sébastien has been leveraging his experience to help indie content creators steer their film and television projects to success.
Andy Docherty
Andy is a hugely experienced music, television, and filmed entertainment executive, with in-depth understanding and hands-on operational experience across a range of media industries. Andy was at the forefront of the disruption to existing international media distribution and revenue models with companies such as BBC, Liberty Global and subsequently launched and managed Apple’s iTunes international television and movie business across Europe.
Chris Law
Chris is a commercial and results-oriented business leader, with comprehensive experience of running the multi-divisional operations of WB in the largest market outside the US. Chris was responsible for the studio’s commercial strategy across Europe, with the specific remit of driving digital growth, reporting to Warner Bros CDO, and the Presidents of WB Worldwide Home Entertainment Group and WBTV Distribution Worldwide. He began his career as an independent television producer delivering serialised scripted dramas to ITV.
Patrick Swiderski
Patrick’s banking and finance background led him to the media industry. He started his career as a rate and currency trader, moving into credit, real assets financing and securitisation as a Managing Director (Société Générale, Dexia, Storm Harbour). He moved into filmed content nine years ago when he worked on feature film slate financing, helping to bring to fruition what is now seen as the first-of-its-kind, benchmark, European slate financing deal for film.
What We Do
Media Musketeers invests in development and secures distribution finance and can invest risk-based gap finance to green-light productions:
Up to €500k available per project for development and packaging, complemented by additional 3rd party development funds released in step with progressive closure of sales
Market-rate advance against distribution rights
Equity investment to enable ‘gap’ financing
Editorial transparency: Media Musketeers’ green-light committee’s clear and communicable financial parameters allow the release of funds without lengthy approvals
Operational simplicity: single and direct point of contact with one Managing Partner, who will take direct responsibility for each project
Media Musketeers funds high value projects – both domestic and international – with global resonance and the potential for significant commercial value:
Supporting creative talent with finance and commercial know-how to enable projects to be produced and distributed globally
Aiming to produce eight high-end, broad-budgeted scripted television series per annum
Seeking projects with true editorial distinction
Commanding significant recognition in the underlying intellectual property and the on and off-screen talent
Press
Media Musketeers has established relationships with a number of blue-chip financial institutions to facilitate production cash flows and optimise distribution.
We are proud to be partnered with amongst others:
Alliance Entreprendre became a significant equity investor in Media Musketeers in 2019. The Paris-based management company specialises in private equity and manages, and/or advises on, €530M of assets for institutional and retail investors. Alliance Media is the investment team dedicated to the media industry, which has already supported more than 15 major industry players. Alliance Entreprendre brings Media Musketeers significant financial means and advice to achieve its ambitious plan.
Entourage Ventures, with whom Media Musketeers has developed an innovative TV series slate financing fund. The Paris-based strategic equity partner for premium media and entertainment content specialises in designing innovative investment schemes in the media and entertainment sector. Entourage Pictures, under a slate financing agreement with the century-old studio, Gaumont, is financing more than forty French feature films, over a five-year period. Entourage will co-invest in TV series bringing unique financial reach to Media Musketeers.
Natixis Coficine is supporting Media Musketeers with a substantial credit line for early stage investment in IP and project development. The company is primarily involved in financing movies, television series and movie theatres, with a highly specialised business with lending totalling almost €1bn. The company has financed around 140 feature films and 100 television series per year over the past 20 years across most countries in Europe, making it a sector leader in Europe.