Paul Marquess –  JOINT CEO/CO-FOUNDER/EXECUTIVEPRODUCER, LONG STORY TV

As a renowned TV producer, writer, and show creator, with a career spanning more than 30 years, Paul Marquess has been responsible for more than a thousand hours of UK television drama, with many titles becoming international hits (such as Footballer’sWives), and inspiring localised versions abroad.

Prior to co-founding Long Story, Paul was Managing Director of PGMTV – which produced S1/S2 of police procedural London Kills– Paul’s original crime drama seriesfor Acorn TV/BBC. Series 3 and 4 were produced by Long Story (under the PGMTV banner). ZDF Studios handles sales for S1 and S2 with Acorn distributing S3 and S4.

Paul entered the TV industry as a script editor at Granada Television – and was soonpromoted to Story Editor of the British hit soap opera Coronation Street, later producing its feature-length spin-off Viva Las Vegas!(written by Russell T Davies).

In 1998 he moved to Carlton TV to produce paramedic drama Picking Up The Pieces for ITV – and in 1999 took over the Channel 4 serial drama Brooks ideas Series Producer. At the same time, Paul came up with the original concept for Footballers’ Wives–which he took to Shed Productions. This went on to be a massive hit for ITV and was a huge success on BBC America. Head-hunted by ITV and Thames Television, Paul tookover as Executive Producer of The Bill in 2001, and over the next 4 years he revitalised the classic police drama – which went on to win the National Television Award for most popular drama in 2004. In 2003 Paul was promoted to the position of Head Of Drama for Thames Television. During his tenure, he took over Channel 5’s serial drama Family Affairs and created Murder Investigation Team which ran for two seasons on ITV. In 2005, Paul was head-hunted by Endemol UK. He spent the next few years developing drama for Endemol and BBC Worldwide, before moving to Channel 4 serial drama Hollyoaks as Series Producer in 2010. In 2011 he took over as Story Producer on the second season of hit drama/reality series The Only Way Is Essex (winning a BAFTA award that year). Paul also went on to co-create the documentary-style drama Crime Stories for ITV in 2012. He followed this up in 2014 with the innovative, improvised crime drama Suspects (starring Fay Ripley and Damien Molony) which ran for 5seasons on Channel 5.

Donna Wiffen – JOINT CEO AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, LONG STORY TV

Donna Wiffen’s TV career spans more than 30 years, during which time she has held senior executive and leadership roles at major UK and international companies, managing global strategies for scripted content.

She co-founded Long Story TV following several years as Managing Director and CEO of specialist scripted production company Duchess Street Films. Prior to this she was Head of Worldwide drama at Fremantle (formerly FremantleMedia) where she oversaw the production of over 1500 hours of scripted content accounting for 35% of the company’s profits. She managed the drama strategy for the entire group, responsible for supporting its ‘Heritage Brands’ (10 daily soaps including the award-winning hit Neighbours in Australia). She drove the growth of new drama business in established local, international, and emerging territories (inc format roll out and co-productions). During her tenure she alsomanaged the acquisition of new companies and negotiated the buying of Miso FilmsDenmark/Sweden.

Over the years, Donna also held positions of Head of Production at the BBC Worldwide-backed indie Cliffhanger Productions, and Showrunner/Head of Production at Endemol UK’s division. She spent a number of years at Talkback Thames/Thames Television whereshe served as Head of Production, producing over 200 hours of drama per year and overseeing a budget for £60 million per annum. She was BAFTA nominated forThe Bill(ITV)in ‘Best Continuing Drama Category.’

Before entering the TV industry, she worked extensively in theatre stage management,across regional venues, and the West End – touring domestically andinternationally. Notably, she was the youngest stage manager at the Royal Shakespeare theatre in Stratford collaborating with renowned directors such as David Thacker and Trevor Nunn.Donnaalso opened the Minerva studio in Chichester with Sam Mendes.

She has served as international grand juror for the prestigiousRockie Awards at the Banff World Media Festival (Canada), featured as a speaker at The Seoul International Drama Forum, and was on a judging panel at The Broadcast Awards (UK).