Watch out for programmes on Channel 4, BT Sports or BBC Worldwide credited to Nail On The Head Productions. They are a new company which opened at Percy Street in September by three media people all with local connections.
The managing director is Damon Earnshaw, who has been an art director on many films, including Swept Away starring Madonna and directed by Guy Ritchie. Damon lived for ten years in Cleveland Street, where his wife Emma had the Flying Hare hairdressers, and their son went to All Souls School in Foley Street.
The creative director is Miff Daniels who has written, produced and presented television and radio programmes for several channels, including Thames TV where he often filmed in Stephen Street, and Talk Radio at 76 Oxford Street.
At Talk he hosted a show from midnight to 7am seven days a week. Asked if it ruined his social life he replied: “It ruined my sanity!” He has also worked for BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Sky, and Live TV (being an “unqualified agony aunt” at the latter for seven shows a week).
The commercial director is John Willacy, who has worked on advertising and marketing in the media at Gresse Street and Newman Street.
The new company specialises in Advertising Funded Programmes — of which Harry Hill’s TV Burp programme, produced by Miff, was an example.
“There is a big growth in these programmes with mobiles, online and other new media,” explained John. “Advertising clients want to advertise on television around a format, so they can demonstrate their product and create a context for their key customers.”
At present they are working for national broadcasters on two history series, entertainment, music, and sport (the latter might be online).
They are all delighted to be in Fitzrovia. “It is great as an area and everyone in the media is here as well,” said Damon. Commercial companies are also really taking off in the area, said John.
Miff concluded: “Let’s hope we keep Fitzrovia local and individual and don’t move the dreaded developers into the area.”
Nail on the Head Productions, 33 Percy Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T 2DF.