Hearst Canvas has launched Pitch, Please!, a YouTube-first entertainment format produced in partnership with digital studio Objekt, as it begins rolling out two original content brands.
The weekly, 15-minute show sees two hosts compete to solve a small business’s real-world challenge, from attracting customers to increasing sales. They gather opinions from the public before developing rival pitches, combining business problem-solving with comedy.
The series launches each episode on a dedicated YouTube channel before distributing it across Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok.
Featured talent includes creator duo Will Makoni and Josh Grigson, alongside comedians Eshaan Akbar and Darren Harriott. The second episode, released on 29 October, pairs The Celebrity Traitors participant King Kenny with content creator Adeola Patronne (see image).
Danny Baggott, creative director at Hearst Canvas, said: “The strength of Pitch, Please! lies in its clear and compelling premise, taking a genuine business challenge to the public and asking two hosts to transform that feedback into competing pitches. The format combines humour, creativity, and spontaneity, while giving featured talent the freedom to bring their own distinctive perspectives.”
Bart Frank, creative director at Objekt, said: “The idea already had everything we love: it was out of the studio, in real businesses, with real people. Our job was to give it the beats and structure to turn it into a fully-fledged format.”
He added: “We’ve always believed in getting out of the studio and putting funny people in funny situations. This show does exactly that. It’s chaos, but with a business plan.”
Pitch, Please! is Hearst Canvas’s first standalone show brand and the first of two original brands it is launching this year. The second, Frontier Collective, is described as a digital-first adventure network built around established explorers and adventure personalities. Further details will be announced shortly.
Both brands are commissioned and executive produced by Sam Pearson for Hearst Canvas.
Heather Jones, chief creative officer EMEA and general manager UK at Hearst Networks, said: “We built Hearst Canvas because we saw a clear opportunity to create original brands specifically for audiences who increasingly watch content on digital and social platforms. It gives us the freedom to explore new genres, work with emerging and established talent, and build distinctive IP.”
Hearst Canvas operates as a standalone subsidiary of Hearst Networks from its London offices, developing original content and partnerships for digital and social platforms. Objekt was named Breakthrough Studio of the Year at the 2026 Digital Video Awards.
