BMB looks for stake in British Comedy Awards

Beattie McGuinness Bungay is in talks with of the British Comedy Awards about “improving its image” and driving international expansion. It is also reported that founder Trevor Beattie is in talks with producer Unique Communications Group about taking a stake in the awards.

Unique is understood to be keen to exploit the international popularity of British comedians such as Stephen Fry, Ricky Gervais and Hugh Laurie by expanding the awards’ franchise overseas and across digital platforms.

The producer is also considering whether to re-sign with ITV to broadcast the event in the UK, after the broadcaster’s three-year deal expired this year. It has broadcast the British Comedy Awards since the event’s launch in 1990.

This year’s event, held earlier this month, was overshadowed by the controversy over presenter Jonathan Ross, who has hosted every previous show but did not this year following his suspension from the BBC. Angus Deayton stood in for Ross.

Under the plans, Beattie would act as a consultant to the awards and would help it to maintain a presence over the year rather than being a standalone event.

Last month, BMB sold a 49% stake of the agency to Cheil Worldwide.