Vancouver-based Great Pacific Media (GPM) has entered into an exclusive, multi-year strategic partnership with veteran unscripted content creator Sean Connolly’s newly launched Original Content Lab (OCL).

Toronto-based OCL is focused on developing unscripted primetime and kids series for the global market, which will be produced by GPM, the factual division of Thunderbird Entertainment Group.

GPM says the partnership effectively doubles its development efforts and further strengthens its presence in Toronto and expansion into new premium unscripted genres.

GPM has already seen “a significant growth in production volume” from its unscripted development efforts, says a news release. It noted there are eight series currently underway, including new productions Deadman’s Curse (History, Hulu), Gut Job and Styled (both HGTV, Hulu).

Connolly (pictured) has more than 20 years of experience in content development across North America and Europe, in the areas of primetime unscripted, kids and family, live action and animation.

He recently led development on the hit Netflix glass blowing competition format Blown Away, the documentary 9/11: Control the Skies (Bell Media, NatGeo International), and paranormal franchises Haunted Hospitals and Paranormal 911 (both T+E, Discovery TRVL).

Connolly was previously SVP of development at Toronto’s BGM, which he left in January to “pursue other adventures.”

He launched development hub OCL in May 2022 with a focus on “originating and acquiring original IP and collaborating with first-in-class creatives, to develop and sell multiplatform content across all primetime unscripted genres,” says the release. That content includes specialist factual docs, documentary series, docudrama, factual-entertainment formats and lifestyle, as well as kids and family programming.

In a statement, GPM president David Way praised Connolly’s “exceptional expertise and background in the key genres audiences are hungry for — formats, competition, docudrama and kids.”