Irish prodco JAM Media is opening a dedicated service division to tap into a wave of new international co-production and co-financing activity that is developing in response to tighter market conditions for kids content.

The new unit will operate out of JAM’s studio in Belfast, which is under the leadership of managing director Richard Gordon, while the company’s Dublin headquarters focuses on developing originals. 

In business for 22 years now, JAM is best-known for creating and producing Becca’s Bunch and live-actioner Nova Jones. But exploring opportunities to work on projects for third-party clients is an important strategy for keeping revenue flowing in a contracting market. It also satisfies the common studio challenge of retaining and training talent between original productions, says JAM owner John Rice. “This expansion is about more than business growth. It’s also about nurturing a dynamic talent pool, and fostering creativity and collaboration across our exceptional locations.”

JAM’s service work menu includes pre- and post-production, CG and 2D animation, and live action. Its first third-party project was London-based Kelebek Studios’ 2D-animated Isadora Moon (pictured, 52 x 11 minutes), which UK broadcaster Sky Kids premiered in November. 

During the pandemic, the studio produced 30 hours of Nova Jones and co-produced the 2D-animated movie A Greyhound of a Girl. Rice’s hope is that JAM’s industry reputation and experience—plus the fact that Ireland has a 32% tax credit for film, TV and animation projects with a minimum spend of US$136,000 (EUR$125,000)—will attract new partners to every part of its expanding business.