TV Producer/Director Hannah Springham has come up with a new business idea to connect people making TV with people who want to get their brand, location or expertise on TV.  Even better she’s got support from serial entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den investor Peter Jones. JTV caught up with Hannah for a Q + A.

JTV: Hannah, tell us about your new business?

I have recently set up a web based business called Get My Business On.TV or www.gmbo.tv. Essentially it’s a one stop shop for TV makers when they’re setting up for shoots; we provide contact details for everything a TV person might need from a groovy bar to film in, a fashion brand happy to lend clothes, a personality expert, a dog groomer, make up artists, caterers, the list goes on . . . It’s very simple to use, built with TV Producers and Researchers in mind who are constantly up against tight budgets and deadlines. 

JTV: How did you come up with the idea for GMBOTV?

It was a no brainer. I’ve been making TV since I was 19 so I knew there was a huge gap in the market. Whenever we make a programme we start from scratch, it takes huge amounts of time to find everything we need. There was nothing universal out there that we all used for pre-production. Now there is. 

JTV: What are the main benefits for people that produce TV?

Saving time and money as well as giving us ideas for new shows by searching listings of experts and services. How many times have you needed to find a bar to film an interview in last minute? I reckon on average if you call a list of 10, at least half will be uninterested or unable to facilitate your needs, a couple may take too long to get back to you and if you’re lucky a couple may say yes. Getting an answer from them all takes time. This is a database of people who are all willing to help instantly.

JTV: Product Placement is a thorny issue in TV right now, are there any problems that could arise from using your service?

We know that Product Placement is illegal and don’t claim that this service is free advertising. TV channels are notoriously strict about showing logos or obvious undue prominence, however there’s nothing illegal about a credit on the show or via the shows website or even getting paid for hiring out your bar for an afternoon. If your business is struggling with the current climate this could be a useful little earner. Either way we leave those negotiations up to the client and the Production Company, we just introduce. 

JTV: How did you get Peter Jones to back you?

I demanded a meeting with the Creative Director, barged my way in really. She liked me and handed me over to Eric White, Peter’s right hand man. I think they invest in a person as much as an idea so we’ve been working on a few TV related ideas. Peter owns a TV Production company so this was something close to his heart. The fact that he entered into this at this present time makes me feel even more confident that i’ve done the right thing.

JTV: How does GMBOTV make money out of this venture? What’s the business model?

It’s very simple. We charge the clients £1000 a year to register (or our special offer of £500 at the moment) and for that they get exposure on our website and become connected to people who may want to use their business for TV purposes. We send mail outs to the industry once a month to keep them posted on who has joined, who has appeared on TV and who might be offering freebies or discounts to us all too. Both clients and TV people will also gain updates through facebook and Twitter too.

JTV:  TV is in a state of flux right now with job losses and reduced advertising revenues, do you think TV people need to be thinking ‘out of the box’ and maybe developing sidelines as back up?

Although things feel a bit up in the air it seems to be mainly drama or sponsored TV that’s being hit, good news for anyone else in TV who is making something else. ‘Cheap’ telly will be in demand and with budgets being lower productions will need things quickly and cheaply. Enter gmbo.tv. Being freelance is always risky, so yes another string to your bow is a great plan. Starting up a business during the recession could be a wise move is you can find a gap where people need help.  

You can register and find out more details about gmbo.tv here.