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Real stories worth watching.
Studio Watchmaker is a creative production company at the forefront of premium factual entertainment for brands & digital broadcast.
Our award winning team combines decades of experience in TV production, commercial filmmaking, brand strategy and digital content to craft stories that build bridges between brands and the messy brilliance of real lives.
WHAT WE OFFER
Strategy
Strategy isn't a brake, it's the engine. This belief underpins all of our work, ensuring the creative is informed by real-world thinking.
Creative
We uncover the real people, places and narratives that activate our strategic thinking. A blend of substance, style and feeling that together will reach and resonate with audiences.
Production
We bring together the best creative and production talent for each project. Our core team is amplified by a global network of partners, allowing us to scale as needed to maximise efficiency and quality.
Distribution
Working in the overlap of broadcast, digital and brand communications, we take a multi-platform approach tailored to each project. The one constant - meeting the audiences where they are.
OUR APPROACH
Feeding the soul, not the scroll.
Slowing down, so that the work will accelerate into culture. We believe in the radical act of taking time.
Brands that move the fastest are the ones that pause long enough to see clearly. Our work is built on strategic, human and cultural insight, driven by intention to inform, entertain and move people - inspiring real world impact.
Multi-platform
ATTENTION KEEPERS
ATTENTION GRABBERS
THE TEAM
Great craft. Good people.
We're a curious bunch who care about our work, and our people. Respect the team, trust the work, enjoy the journey.
Simon is an award-winning, Executive Producer & Director with 20 years experience making popular factual TV for major UK and international broadcasters.
A creative and thoughtful leader, whether directing prime time documentary series, working with top tier celebrity talent or helming large teams producing ratings winning original formats - Simon has a reputation for delivering entertaining, purpose driven, premium factual content.
SIMON COOPER
CO-FOUNDER | CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Philip is a highly experienced Production Director and Executive Producer with over 18 years experience across branded content, commercials and documentaries.
A unique blend of creative pedigree and sharp commercial instincts has allowed Philip to nurture and grow client partnerships, turning trust & chemistry into award-winning work. Working in New York, Singapore & across EMEA has allowed Philip a broad perspective on what great work looks like.
PHILIP HORBURY
CO-FOUNDER | PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Marisa is a highly experienced Head of Production with a career spanning non-scripted projects across major broadcasters and platforms. Known for her calm, people first approach she specialises in creating the right conditions for productions to thrive. Marisa supports company growth - guiding teams, setting best practice, implementing systems, maximising budgets & finnancing and navigating the challenges of production. Her work reflects a passion for collaboration, financial ingenuity, and helping ideas move seamlessly from page to screen.
MARISA ERFTEMEIJER
HEAD OF PRODUCTION
Derek is an experienced TV Executive. With a career spent working alongside production companies across the UK and internationally, Derek specialises in building trusted partnerships that help indies grow, secure commissions, and deliver ambitious content across platforms. Known for his collaborative and strategic approach, he combines business insight with a deep understanding of the production landscape. His business work reflects a commitment to innovation, transparency, and championing the independent sector.
DEREK DRENNAN
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Emma is a leading strategy consultant and founder of international strategy studio Industry Unlimited - a team of diverse, atypical thinkers and creatives, who bring their unique voice and perspective to todays brand, marketing and media challenges. An RSA fellow, Emma has worked with many of the worlds leading brands, agencies and studios. Our partnership with Emma enables Studio Watchmaker to provide bespoke industry leading strategy - in house - as part of our direct to brand, digital content, film and TV production offering.
EMMA PERRETT
BRAND STRATEGIST
Based in New York, Michelle is a highly accomplished Producer & Creative Project Lead, known for flawlessly blending big-picture strategy with hands-on execution to deliver impactful documentaries, television and branded content for high profile clients. Michelle has proven success building and tracking comprehensive multi-million dollar budgets and seamless workflows for complex projects. Recognised for her reliability, adaptability and inclusive leadership, facilitating collaboration across creative, technical and executive teams.
MICHELLE BUDNICK
CREATIVE PROJECT LEAD | USA
In a career spanning over 50 years John has created, commissioned and as Controller of Entertainment at TVS, LWT and later ITV been responsible for some of the most iconic TV shows of all time, including - Catchphrase, Blind Date, Gladiators, The X-Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, The Cube and The Royal Variety, to name just a few. In addition he spent 12 years running his own production company. John continues to operate as a consultant and mentor, providing his wealth of knowledge, international contacts and unrivalled industry & production experience as an advisor to SWM.
JOHN KAYE COOPER
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | ADVISOR
