ITV Studios Launches Studio 55

Ruth Berry, President of Global Partnerships and Zoo 55 at ITV Studios, has officially launched Studio 55, a new global brand partnership studio aimed at connecting brands and creators with the company’s portfolio of television intellectual property.

The announcement was made at the London TV Screenings, where the company outlined plans for the new division to drive larger licensing deals, global collaborations and digital-first content formats.

Studio 55 will operate within ITV Studios' Global Partnerships division and is designed to deepen audience engagement with popular TV brands while creating new commercial opportunities across platforms.

The unit will be led by Will Scougal, newly appointed EVP of Brand & Commercial Partnerships, who brings experience from roles at Snapchat and X, as well as co-founding social media agency Make My Day.

The studio will focus on two core areas: an expanded global brand licensing operation and the development of digital-first intellectual property. The licensing arm will act as a central hub for international deals, covering consumer products, live events and immersive fan experiences linked to major franchises such as The Voice and Love Island.

On the digital side, Studio 55 will collaborate with brands, agencies and content creators to develop new formats using ITV Studios’ existing catalogue and original ideas.

Among the first projects is IT STARTED WITH A KISS, a new dating podcast produced by Twofour and sponsored by Tinder. The series, which will explore modern relationships through an LGBTQ+ perspective, will feature celebrity hosts and guests discussing dating experiences, including a recurring segment developed with the app.

Distribution of digital-first content will be handled by the Zoo 55 team, led by Martin Trickey, which already manages ITV Studios’ extensive network of social media channels.

Studio 55 will also work alongside the Global Creative Network, led by Mike Beale, to connect partner brands with ITV Studios’ portfolio of 29 unscripted production companies and selected independent producers.

Ruth Berry said the launch marks a significant step in adapting to evolving audience behaviour and partnership models.

"With the launch of Studio 55 and Zoo 55, I feel we are truly set up for the future of entertainment. We have expanded our infrastructure to allow us to broaden our range of partners to brands, agencies and creators, as well as licensees. It's all driven by the desire to meet the fandoms of our franchises where they are, on every platform."

www.itv.com