Sony’s Rebel Minds makes first creative hire

Sony Pictures Television-backed Rebel Minds Media has made its first creative hire with the appointment of Shona Norval as head of development, Broadcast International can reveal.

The move reunites Norval with Rebel Minds Media founders Simon Shalgosky and Daniel Brookes, with whom she worked at their previous company, Rebel Rebel Pictures. 

At the new outfit, Norval, a former Thames and Rumpus exec, will oversee Rebel Minds’ expanding development slate and support the company’s ambition to create high-impact unscripted IP for UK and international buyers.

Norval previously had stints at Modest and Boldprint, and has worked on a raft of unscripted formats including Little Mix: The Search, The Greatest Dancer, Supermarket Sweep and Blockbuster. She also developed Date or Drop for RTL Germany.

Shalgosky and Brookes left BBC Studios-backed Rebel Rebel Pictures late last year to launch Rebel Minds Media, marking the latest push by SPT into unscripted in the UK.

They said the addition of Norval would help Rebel Minds to create “distinctive, globally scalable IP”.

Brookes, co-founder and creative director, continued: “Rebel Minds Media is building a creative home for people who think differently. Shona is the first of those hires, and will play a central role in developing distinct formats from the ground up, in line with our company’s vision and values.”

Shalgosky, co-founder and managing director, added: “Shona is a brilliantly instinctive developer with a rare ability to balance originality with scale.

“We’ve built some of our strongest ideas together, so this feels like a continuation rather than a change. She brings sharp thinking, international experience, and a creative confidence that aligns perfectly with how we want to build this company.”

Norval said: “I was thrilled when Simon and Daniel asked me to join them at Rebel Minds Pictures - it felt like coming home to a creative powerhouse. I’m excited to develop a bold, distinctive and ambitious slate together.”