STORIES FROM THE INSIDE

NEO combines its unique access to talent, athletes, leagues and rights with a native understanding of modern storytelling through every available medium, from TikTok to Television to Theatrical. NEO tells stories from the world of sports and entertainment, those stories behind the games, giving an exclusive window into what makes the world’s greatest champions and finding the untold stories of human triumph on and off the field.

  • SPORT

    Untold stories or unique moments in time, platforming different people and voices with a unique perspective.

    Dual focus of scripted and unscripted, with a passion for uncovering the world behind, inside and around the game, it’s much more than just ‘sport’

  • MUSIC + ENTERTAINMENT

    Personality and characters behind the sound, their impact in and around music. Scripted and unscripted.

  • CROSS MEDIA CULTURE

    Create purposeful stories that captures a holistic view of the rich diversity of modern life and

    culture. From fashion and food to home and garden, each narrative reaches multiple diverse audiences.

WHO WE WORK WITH

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WE KNOW SPORTS

NEO, as part of the Aser Ventures Group, and through our leadership expertise, we have built a vast network in the world of sports and entertainment. We have access to the biggest leagues, athletes, rights holders and agencies, a major differentiator.

AWARD WINNING SHOWS

It is our mission to bring untold stories and unique moments in sports and entertainment to fans all over the world, platforming characters and voices with a unique perspective in the form of unscripted, scripted, animation and live premium programming.

We are known for our critically acclaimed docuseries including Take us Home: Leeds United, The Giants, Legacy, Benedict Men, etc.

OUR SHOWS

See our shows

ALL THE WAYS WE ARE UNIQUE

  • GREATER THAN THE SUM OF OUR PARTS

    At NEO we have some amazing talent on board. We recognise that what is essential to our success is that we come from all backgrounds. And regardless of our gender, age, sexuality, religion or disabililty we are one unified team that welcomes, embraces and respects everyone.

  • ON AND OFF SCREEN

    We actively seek on having diverse talent on and off screen and are comitted to make a difference. We embrace meaningful storytelling that is reflective of diverse voices in our society. Amongst others, NEO is selected as one of the few partners of SNAPs Original Equity Partnerships Pledge.

  • RESPONSIBLE DECISSIONS

    NEO is committed to make a positive impact on the environment. This is reflected in the way we produce our shows and are part of Albert to actively eliminate waste and carbon emissions.

Who is Who

  • ANOUK MERTENS

    GLOBAL CEO

    Launched and heads NEO Studios after various leadership roles in the

    Aser Group. She founded Eleven Sports Belgium and moved to Group COO and CCO. She began her career in broadcast media at 2002 World Cup before going on to hold leadership roles with Liberty Global/Telenet (across all digital, entertaiment, sport strategy) and with Sanoma Media. Anouk sits on the Flemish filmfund board as well as on the board of Mediahuis Group.

  • MELANIE C. JOHNSON

    MANAGING DIRECTOR, US

    Melanie leads all IP development, production, and operations for the

    US and is an Emmy Award winning producer. Melanie began her career at Viacom and has worked on several iconic programs for MTV, VH1, BET, and Nickelodeon for unscripted and live content. Following Viacom, she produced several independent films and co- founded a marketing and production company, Tiny Horse, where she worked alongside major format owners and distributors.

  • JILL JOHNSON

    EVP ENTERTAINMENT PARTNERSHIPS

    Jill she oversees entertainment and talent partnerships for the

    company. With over 20 years of experience in the entertainment and branding space, Jill has built and managed award-winning social media and digital teams to support shows and partners across the content spectrum, Prior to NEO Studios, she served as a general manager at marketing and production company Tiny Horse.

  • CHARLIE GREENSTEIN

    PRODUCTION EXEC, EU

    At NEO Charlie oversees all productions and runs Welcome to Wrexham and other production services. Production Executive, Producer and Line-producer. Started at the BBC and has credits in some of the most watched programmes of the last three decades like Dragon’s Den, Mastermind,.., and had various leadership roles in TV and Film production, locations and studio development.

  • Jordan Hill

    HEAD OF OPERATIONS (US)

    Jordan Hill is NEO Studios’ Head of Operations in the US. Before joining NEO, he oversaw finance and operations at Vertical Networks, which was acquired by Team Whistle during his time there. Jordan has worked in various finance, operational, and production roles at multiple independent production and distribution companies across traditional and digital entertainment. He began his career working as a production accountant and production manager at local PBS affiliate, KBYU, before moving to Los Angeles to join Mar Vista Entertainment to work across production accounting and corporate FP&A. While completing an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management, he established the finance and accounting team for Jukin Media, during which time the company grew from just 20 to over 100 employees. In 2016, Jordan accepted the Head of Finance & Operations role at Vertical Networks and oversaw all production and corporate operations. He led the due diligence process in the company's acquisition by Team Whistle in 2019, after which he continued to lead Vertical Networks' unscripted reality and interactive teams.

  • JONATHAN GALE

    DIRECTOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, (EU & OCEANIA)

    Jonathan Gale is the Director of Europe Business Development at NEO Studios. Prior to joining NEO, Jonathan ran his own sales and business consultancy company for 5 years working with partners like BBC, ITV, Sky, Amazon, Netflix, Disney, Paramount+, Adidas, Nike, Puma, Lucozade, William Hill, etc. Jonathan also brings a rich sport history of working at Premier League Productions for 8 years within the broadcast liaison and studio teams.

  • JIMMY RUTHERFORD

    DIRECTOR OF UNSCRIPTED (EU)

    Jimmy Rutherford leads the NEO Studios creative and content direction for Europe as Director of Unscripted. Jimmy has has delivered a broad range of releases for NEO, including the award- winning The Giants series and the Michelin Star Revelation for the UK and Ireland as a live show. Jimmy began his career with a decade at broadcaster Channel 4 in the UK with a variety of roles, launching the UK’s largest commercial food website, a cross genre digital commissioner through to sports commissioning editor. He worked across a variety of content including the London Paralympics in 2012 - being awarded a BAFTA - the Michael Johnson fronted Chasing Perfection to the hybrid sports spinoff comedy show The Last Leg. Jimmy moved to the Premiere League’s Chelsea FC in a content and product lead role launching the record-breaking 5th Stand app. He transferred to Tottenham Hotspur in 2018 and was responsible for all THFC content across all platforms for a period spanning the opening of their new world class stadium and a first ever Champions League final before joining NEO Studios in 2020.

  • KAROLYN HOLBON

    DIRECTOR OF ENTERTAINMENT, EU

    Within NEO. Karolyn leads all unscripted development in the EU and acts as Executive Producer across our EU slate. A BAFTA-Award winning creative with over 20 years experience working in TV development. production, creative direction and multi-platform activations. Prior Karolyn was the Director of Video at EndemolShine and has previously made programmes for the BBC, Sky. Channel 4 and ITV.