Harbottle & Lewis LLP advises 'America: The Story of Us' producer Nutopia Limited

Media and entertainment lawyers Harbottle & Lewis have advised new TV production company Nutopia in relation to arrangements between the company’s founders.

Nutopia was established by Jane Root, former President of Discovery Channel and controller of BBC2, together with senior executives Laura Franses, Michael Jackson and Peter Bazalgette. The launch episode of the company’s first production, “America: The Story of Us”, produced for the History Channel, was broadcast at the end of April and became the highest rated and most watched special in the network’s history. Further details of this programme and the company’s other productions can be found at its website at www.nutopia.com.

Harbottle & Lewis’s work included initial strategic and investment advice, preparing new articles of association of the company, preparing and negotiating the terms of service agreements, contracts for services and option agreements for senior executives and also providing advice on distribution arrangements between the company and BBC Worldwide as well as various agreements relating to the production of “America: The Story of Us”.

Corporate partners Rhys Llewellyn and Colin Howes dealt with the corporate aspects of the arrangements, TV partner Medwyn Jones advised on the production and distribution arrangements and Eleanor Scholey dealt with the employment aspects.

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27/05/10

For further information contact Evette Elliott, Head of Marketing, on +44 (0)20 7667 5000.