Multi-Award winning Broadcaster, TV executive, artist manager, music publisher and DJ, Duane Jones is building a media empire.

Having played an instrumental role in the birth and progression of BBC Radio 1Xtra as one half of Ace & Vis, with whom he beat the likes of Nick Ferrari, Chris Moyles and Zane Lowe to win the Sony Gold Award for Radio Show of the Year. Duane solidified his position as a trailblazing broadcaster on BBC Radio 1, MTV and BBC 5Live and continued presenting with the BBC for 11 years.

On leaving the BBC, Duane was ready to pursue his passion for music and TV on his own terms. Firstly founding Renowned Group in 2013 with Wretch 32 and his manager Zeon Richards. The aim was to set up a company that would manage and publish an array of homegrown British talent, with clients such as Jacob Banks, KZ, Knox Brown and of course Wretch 32.

By the end of 2013, Duane set up the last piece of the Renowned Group property, founding independent production company Renowned Films with two talented producer directors, Tim Withers and Max Welch. With its innovative approach to content development and broadcast, Renowned Films soon bagged its first commission for Trace Sports on Sky, a 12 part series called‘Winners Circle’ that was shown in 66 territories featuring sportspeople and athletes across Europe. Soon after came ‘Football Freestyle’ for London Live, which remains the channel’s most viewed original commission to date. It was the beginning of the rise of Renowned Films.

In 2015, the indie caught the attention of David Abraham the Chief Executive of Channel 4, and Jay Hunt, the channel’s Chief Creative Officer. Channel 4 took on an equity stake in Renowned Films. A spate of commissions followed, including comedy show Pranksterz for ITV, Channel 4 doc The Women Who Kill Lions along with the Ashley Walters hosted series Top Dad, and critically acclaimed documentary NYPD Biggest Gang in New York for BBC One, an investigative piece exploring police brutality in New York.

As Renowned Films established itself as a key producer of noisy, cut-through, factual and factual entertainment features, documentaries and branded content for the BBC, Channel 4, ITV and MTV it caught the attention of US-based Critical Content, who bought Channel 4’s stake in the company last year.

Continuing with Renowned’s commitment to diverse content, this last year has already seen commissions including Rated Awards (Ch4), The Drop (BBC) and We Do That (BET). With more exciting programmes lined up for this year, Duane’s mission to flood our screens with compelling and diverse content is well underway.

As well as his TV endeavours, Duane remains an integral part of the UK music scene, teaming up with GRM’s Posty to co-found Not For The Radio, one of the biggest online interview platforms in the UK featuring exclusive sit downs with stars such as Stormzy, Bugzy Malone, and Giggs.  

Jones Talent Group

Jones Talent Group is a creative brand partnership agency, which specialises in partnering with top athletes, musicians and presenters from across Music, Sport and Entertainment with some of the most innovative and exciting brands in the world.

With over two decades experience across Music, Sport and Entertainment, Duane has incredible access to some of the most exciting talent to emerge across these industries, positioning Jones Talent Group at the forefront of developing valuable talent-brand collaborations.

Providing a full creative service across all aspects of Music, Sport and Entertainment partnerships, which includes creative strategies and concepts through to the final roll out of campaigns, as well as negotiation and contracting of all music and talent right. With an end-to-end offering of consultancy, creative, media and technology; Jones Talent Group will ensure the success of your talent-brand partnership.

Jones Talent Group clients include Adidas, Bayern Munich, BBC Sport, Bic, Beats By Dre, Island Records, JD Sports, Manchester United, MTV, Nike, Puma, Redbull, YouTube, 1Xtra, 5Live and 5 Magazine.

For more information please contact info@duanejones.co.uk

Beats The System

Beats The System is a career accelerator and engine room for independent music producers without publish and management deals. We aim to offer a springboard to support and supercharge careers, without the constraints of an unnecessary, long-term commitment.

As well as working directly with producers, Beats The System will also focus on working with new managers, providing them with the support to ensure their producers reach their full potential. We can help position and progress new talent by actioning poignant, specific case by case targets.

We are also uniquely positioned to provide a diverse range of creative funding opportunities. Our team of experts and I, routinely take label meetings at both major and independent labels, streaming services and with the TV industry - super serving them on their most exciting projects.

A snapshot of a few of the regular initiatives that take place at Beats The System include pairing artists and managers, arranging producer collaborations, major release placements, writer’s camps, listening sessions, our exclusive NFTR Beats showcase and beat battle with key A&R’s and artists in attendance, plus more.

Beats The System is not a typical blanket production deal - we feel that’s an out of date approach. This is a fresh, future-facing service for the modern music industry. We tailor plans and agreements on a case by case basis to benefit each producer, making sure they get to where they deserve to be.

For more information please contact info@duanejones.co.uk