Digital production company Strong Watch Studios has been appointed channel manager for WIP PRESENTS, a new YouTube platform launching this month with a mentor-led series featuring high-profile figures from film, music, TV, food and design.
The platform’s debut series, Work in Progress, is scheduled to launch on June 7 and will pair established creative leaders with emerging talent across a range of disciplines, including music, acting, dance, jewellery, cooking and television production.
According to WIP PRESENTS, the series has already been filmed and is currently in post-production. The first season will feature eight mentors:
- Jamie Dornan, actor
- Myles Smith, singer-songwriter and BRIT Rising Star 2025 winner
- Femi Koleoso, bandleader of Ezra Collective
- Oti Mabuse, dancer, broadcaster and entrepreneur
- Theo Fennell, jewellery designer
- Philip Howard, chef
- Dougray Scott, actor
- Jimmy Mulville, television producer and co-founder of Hat Trick Productions
The format pairs each mentor with a young creative, focusing on the realities of building a career rather than traditional success narratives.
Describing the series, WIP PRESENTS said: “In the age of AI, eight remarkable people reveal the creative journey that made them – the struggles, the doubts, the breakthroughs. Because we are all, always, works in progress.”
The wider platform is being positioned around themes of creativity, mentorship and human potential at a time of growing interest in artificial intelligence and automation.
“The platform is built around the belief that creativity is not optional,” said WIP Presents, “it is in fact what makes us human. In a world increasingly shaped by AI and automation, the platform positions creativity as a personal superpower.”
WIP PRESENTS was founded by producer and life coach Mark Milln and BAFTA-winning format creator Elliot Johnson. Johnson’s previous credits include The Chase, Four Weddings, The Answer Run and Pete Wicks: For Dogs’ Sake.
After its launch, the channel will host weekly episode releases throughout June, July and August, supported by social media activity across Instagram and TikTok and promotion by participating mentors. Future plans include additional series formats, documentaries, podcasts, competitions, live events and educational initiatives.
Strong Watch Studios, founded by Ben Powell-Jones and Thom Gulseven, will oversee channel management and audience development for the project. The company specialises in digital-first content strategies and has worked with Netflix, Channel 4, the BBC, ITV, The Royal Foundation and JD Sports among others.
