EXCLUSIVE: Seasoned professionals Kelly Luegenbiehl, Jon Koa, and Onur Güvenatam are venturing into the realm of vertical video production.
They have collaborated to establish Shorties Studios, an international production company with bases in L.A., London, and Istanbul. The company will specialize in creating short-form, vertical videos designed primarily for mobile viewing.
The founders bring a wealth of experience from their careers in both U.S. and international media production. Luegenbiehl previously held a senior role at Netflix for EMEA content, Koa served as the Executive Vice President of Comedy Development and Programming at CBS, and Güvenatam is the entrepreneur behind OGM Pictures, known for producing Netflix’s inaugural Turkish original series.
This development is part of the broader surge in vertical video and microdrama productions in Western markets, a trend that originated in Asia. In regions like China and Korea, microdramas have evolved into enterprises worth billions of dollars. This format is gaining traction globally, evidenced by companies such as Fox investing in vertical video enterprises like Holywater.
Shorties Studios aims to produce original vertical content for streaming services and social media platforms, as well as advertising-supported branded content. The founders describe their approach as a strategic response to changes in how media is consumed today.
Luegenbiehl, who has also worked with NBCUniversal and ABC, joined Netflix in 2015 as the Director of International Originals. She moved to Europe to oversee EMEA productions and was later promoted to VP of Global Franchises and VP of Franchise and Spectacle Series. She left Netflix in February of the previous year following a restructuring, as reported by Deadline. She played a crucial role in the production of The Witcher and was responsible for commissioning other successful series such as Dark, Lupin, and The Protector, the latter produced by Güvenatam’s OGM.
Luegenbiehl commented, “When I shifted from traditional media to spearhead Netflix’s international content a decade ago, the global impact of non-English content was unimaginable. It revolutionized television viewing. I see a similar potential now with vertical content. Our goal is to align with where audiences are today and pioneer the next wave of storytelling through premium vertical content.”
Koa, with his extensive background at NBCU, ABC, Conde Nast Entertainment, and CBS, expressed his enthusiasm for the new venture. “At Shorties, we’re crafting a studio that excels in top-tier short-form series accessible across various platforms, reaching audiences in unprecedented ways,” he said. “Vertical storytelling allows us to utilize real-time data and analytics, providing insights into audience preferences and uncovering opportunities for viral content, brand collaborations, and comprehensive monetization.”
Güvenatam, a prominent figure in Turkey’s television production scene, has produced acclaimed shows like Wounded Love and the International Emmy-nominated Evermore. His work with OGM Pictures has demonstrated the global appeal of Turkish narratives, with series like The Protector and The Gift reaching audiences worldwide. He remarked, “With OGM Pictures, we showed that Turkish stories could captivate global audiences. As viewing habits evolve, Shorties Studios is set to explore this new territory. We aim to infuse short-form storytelling with the same richness and global appeal that defines our longer formats.”
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