L to R: Samantha Sealey, James Peyton (Bob the dog), John McAvoy,
Simon Steel, Sheridan Wright, Isabel Suckling, Eduardo Mesiti.
Meet the team behind such shows as Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo?, Territory Cops, RPA and Teenage Boss.
Production company name?
McAvoy Media.
When was the company founded?
2014.
Where are you based and which states did you film in for 22 / 23 / 24 productions?
We are based in Sydney. In 22/23/24 we filmed in New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia, and New Zealand.
How many full-time equivalent staff and how many does it expand to during production?
We have a core staff of 7. Each production employs an additional 20-30 people. With multiple productions running at a time, roughly one hundred or so people are working for MM.
What is your ownership model and who are key principals?
The company is 100% owned by John McAvoy, founder and CEO. Simon Steel is Head of Development and Samantha Sealey is Line Producer. Both highly respected, bringing with them a wealth of experience.
Describe the genres you specialise in for production?
Original premium factual and unscripted content is our wheelhouse. We love searching for stories that haven’t been told. Though we have also had some scripted projects in paid development.
What have been some of your notable credits and with which broadcasters / streamers?
Some notable credits include: Kings Cross ER: St Vincent’s Hospital – Logie award winner for Most Outstanding Factual Programme (Foxtel); Kalgoorlie Cops – ASTRA Award winner for Most Outstanding Reality Programme (Foxtel); Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo – TBI Global Award Winner – Factual Programme of The Year (Nine/NatGeo Wild); Teenage Boss – Dual Logie nominee (ABC); Head Above Water (Amazon Prime Video); RPA: Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (Nine); Territory Cops (Ten); Say Yes To The Dress Australia (TLC, Discovery).
What’s coming up on your slate and how many projects are in active development?
We’re constantly in discussion with broadcast and distribution partners with regards their programming needs and have roughly ten projects we’re excited about in active development. We’re currently in production for Teenage Boss Series 3 – hosted by the wonderful Emma Watkins, about to commence production of Taronga Series 6, and prepping for RPA Series 3. We’ve also just started production on another original concept – based in Northern Australia – for Australian and International broadcast partners, to launch early 2025.
Do you receive unsolicited material, what are you looking for, how should people pitch projects?
Most of our content is original – generated by our internal development team. But we are absolutely open to receiving unsolicited material. Always keen to collaborate. We are looking for a mix of things. Original, noisy, and new points of access. Ideas that stick their head above the crowd. Big colourful characters that engage you and have international appeal. Ideas can be sent to: info@mcavoymedia.com
What change would you most like to see when it comes to commissions?
It’s a simple message but vital for our industry. More Australian made content. Across the board.
links to content on ABC
TV Tonight
