Curated Directory: Agencies That Specialize in Transmedia and IP Adaptation

Struggling to turn your story into a franchise? Meet the agencies that actually move IP from page to platform

Creators and small studios tell us the same pain: great IP stalls at discovery — or worse, gets poorly licensed. This curated directory gives you a vetted starting point for transmedia agencies and IP-adaptation partners in 2026, shows what types of IP they represent, and gives practical, step-by-step guidance on how to approach them so your project advances beyond a hopeful email.

Top-line: why this directory matters in 2026

In late 2025 and early 2026 the entertainment ecosystem continued consolidating — streamers prioritize franchise-ready IP, major agencies are packaging cross-platform deals, and boutique transmedia studios are getting scooped up or aligned with large agencies. A high-profile example: in January 2026 WME signed European transmedia IP studio The Orangery, highlighting how agencies are actively seeking creator-owned graphic-novel and comics IP that can be adapted across film, TV, games and immersive experiences.

That market dynamic makes this practical directory useful: it connects creators with the right partner for their IP type (graphic novel, podcast, game, serialized short-form, AR/VR experience), and it clarifies what rights and materials those partners actually want.

How to use this directory (fast)

1. Identify the category your IP fits into (comics/graphic novel, narrative podcast, indie game, short-form series, immersive storyworld).
2. Match to the agency type below (major talent agency, literary agency, boutique transmedia studio, IP incubator).
3. Prepare the exact materials agencies request — rights documentation, a one-page pitch, proof-of-concept assets and audience metrics.
4. Follow the outreach playbook included in the “How to approach” section and track responses.

Directory — vetted agency & studio types with notes

Below are agencies and studio categories that actively participate in transmedia and IP adaptation. For each, we list what they typically represent, what rights they look for, and how to approach them.

1) Major full-service agencies (WME, CAA, UTA)

What they represent: A broad slate spanning film, TV, talent packaging, scripted and unscripted formats, branded partnerships and gaming. These agencies are now moving upstream to sign IP holders and boutique IP studios to package larger deals.

Rights they want: exclusive option/adaptation rights for film/TV/games, multi-territory negotiation rights, and the ability to attach talent and producers. Agencies increasingly want some level of co-development control to build franchise pipelines.

How to approach: Get an agent or manager referral where possible. If cold-emailing, lead with audience metrics, demonstrable IP traction (sales, awards, community size), and a clear, concise rights status statement. Avoid sending entire manuscripts as attachments — use a one-page rights summary and a short teaser reel or image pack.

2) Boutique transmedia studios and IP incubators (example: The Orangery)

What they represent: Creator-owned graphic novels, comics-first IP, original serialized worlds designed for multiplatform adaptation. Boutique entities focus on proof-of-concept content and early-stage IP packaging.

Rights they want: Flexible development agreements and licensing models that permit modular monetization — TV series first, games next, merchandise later. Boutiques often keep co-ownership or revenue-share structures designed to attract downstream partners.

How to approach: These studios value complete creative worldbuilding. Supply world bibles, character art, sample scripts, and audience engagement signals (patreon, social, Kickstarter). Highlight transmedia ideas — how scenes or locations expand into games, comics, audio, or AR experiences.

Why this matters: The 2026 market rewards IP with cross-platform proof points. The Orangery’s signing with WME shows how boutiques can scale quickly with the right agency partnership.

3) Literary agencies and book-to-screen specialists (Writers House, Curtis Brown and peers)

What they represent: Novels, memoirs, graphic novels and authors with adaptation potential. These agencies broker book-to-screen deals, manage subsidiary rights and often package screenwriters or showrunners.

Rights they want: Clear publishing rights and control to negotiate screen adaptations; sometimes they house separate film/TV departments or refer to partner agencies that handle packaging.

How to approach: Provide publishing contracts, existing sales and reviews, and a short adaptation treatment that identifies episodic potential. If you don’t have an agent, query with a concise deck that includes a logline, series arc and character map.

4) Game and interactive adaptation specialists

What they represent: IP that can translate into live-service games, narrative-driven titles, or interactive film/choose-your-path formats. Increasingly, game studios are licensing narrative IP for transmedia campaigns and vice versa.

Rights they want: Clear licensing windows, territory and platform exclusivity clauses, and merchandising/derivative rights for in-game items. They prefer IP with strong world-building and high fan engagement.

How to approach: Deliver a gameplay-ready world summary, character IP lists, and monetization models. Include engagement metrics and community activity (Discord, Steam Workshop, Twitch viewership).

5) Podcast-to-screen producers and audio-first studios

What they represent: Serialized narrative podcasts, documentary audio IPs, and audio-native creators seeking visual adaptations. Audio-first properties are hot for limited-series adaptations because they come with built-in narrative pacing.

Rights they want: Adaptation and underlying rights with retained creator involvement for showrunning or scripting. Audio studios will often look for exclusive development windows.

How to approach: Provide listener stats, subscriber growth, and audience demographics. Include a visual series treatment and a sample episode timeline for adaptation.

Vetted list: Specific partners and what they prefer

The list below focuses on well-known, credible partners or partner types you can target. This is not exhaustive but is curated for creators and small studios seeking real routes to adaptation.

WME (William Morris Endeavor)

What they represent: Global talent and IP packaging across film, TV, streaming, gaming and branded entertainment. WME has recently accelerated deals with transmedia-focused studios.

Notable 2026 signal: WME’s signing of The Orangery (a European transmedia studio known for graphic-novel IP) shows they’re actively acquiring or partnering with studios that bring packaged IP and transmedia strategies.

Approach tip: WME values packages. If you can assemble a showrunner, director attachment or proven IP traction, your approach should highlight the package and commercial upside.

CAA and UTA

What they represent: Large agencies that handle talent, packaging, and increasingly IP acquisition. They often collaborate with boutique producers and publishers to scale promising IP into franchises.

Approach tip: These agencies respond to demonstrated market interest — festival awards, viral audience growth, or partnerships with publishers or game studios.

Literary agencies (Writers House, Curtis Brown)

What they represent: Authors and book-first IP. They manage subsidiary rights and often connect authors to film/TV buyers or license IP for adaptation.

Approach tip: If you own a book or graphic novel, start here. Have publishing contracts in order and an adaptation treatment available.

Boutique transmedia studios (example: The Orangery)

What they represent: Creator-owned IP with comics/graphic-novel roots and explicit multi-platform design. They bridge creators and large agencies or studios.

Approach tip: Show the transmedia roadmap — which parts of the IP convert to a TV arc, which become a game, and how the audience will flow across formats.

How agencies evaluate IP in 2026 — the checklist they use

Across the board, agencies are looking for the following in 2026:

• Audience traction: Sales, subscribers, social growth, Kickstarter numbers, podcast downloads.
• World depth: Characters, locations, mythology — the easier it is to expand into other formats, the better.
• Rights clarity: A-chain-of-title that shows you control the necessary adaptation rights.
• Monetization plan: How you see film/TV, games, merchandise and experiential income stacking. For guidance on diversified small-revenue models, see resources on micro-subscriptions & cash resilience.
• Packaging potential: Existing attachments — directors, showrunners, or talent that could reduce studio risk.
• Proof of concept assets: Art, sizzle reels, pilots, playable demos, or fully produced short episodes. If you want to elevate visual assets, consider how art books and mood boards boost perceived value.

Practical outreach playbook — exact steps that work

1. Prep your packet — one-page rights summary, one-page logline and series arc, 3–5 images or a 60–90 second sizzle reel, and one sample chapter or episode (hosted via secure link).
2. Rights checklist — show chain-of-title, any existing licenses, author contracts, and who holds subsidiary rights.
3. Outreach email template — subject line: “Transmedia IP: [Title] — [Short Hook] — [Key Metric]”. First paragraph: 1-sentence hook + 1 metric. Second paragraph: rights summary and attachments. Third paragraph: one-line ask (intro call, NDA, 10-min review).
4. Follow-up cadence — 7 days after the first email, 14 days later with an update (new metric, event, or attachment), then stop if no response. Keep messages concise.
5. Use warm introductions — prior collaborators, festival contacts, or advisors who know agency staff dramatically increase reply rates. If you’re planning micro-events or pop-ups to grow audience, practical kits and stall reviews can help; read a weekend stall kit review to prepare.

Negotiation essentials — what to watch for in 2026

When negotiating with agencies or studios, protect these items:

• Scope of rights: Territory, platforms, and term length. Prefer limited-time options with reversion triggers if no progress occurs.
• Success milestones: Define deliverables and timelines that must be met before rights extend or further exclusivity applies.
• Revenue splits and backend: Clear definitions for profits, gross vs. net accounting, and carve-outs for creator royalties and merchandising. Think through merchandise and collector strategies up front.
• Credit and creative control: Define writer/showrunner involvement and credit placement early.
• Co-development clauses: If a studio wants IP control, negotiate co-ownership terms and exit provisions.

Red flags — things that should make you pause

• Requests for unlimited, worldwide, perpetual rights without meaningful compensation or milestones.
• Pressure to sign immediately without review — always involve an entertainment attorney.
• Silence on packaging or talent attachment plans — agencies that can’t articulate the next buyer are risky.

Creators who retain clear, limited adaptation rights and negotiate measurable milestones consistently get better downstream deals.

2026 trends to factor into your strategy

• Franchise economics dominate: Studios prefer IP that can scale across multiple revenue streams; single-format ideas are less attractive.
• AI-assisted development: Agencies now expect creators to use AI for concept exploration and content polish — but human authorship and original creative vision are still premium assets. If you plan to use AI, consult a developer guide for offering content as compliant training data and the ethical & legal playbook.
• Immersive formats are mainstream: AR/VR and interactive streaming are now buyer priorities; show how your IP translates into immersive experiences.
• Data-driven decision-making: Audience metrics and engagement analytics matter more than ever; know your demographics and retention stats.
• International-first strategies: Global rights and non-US markets (Europe, India, MENA) have become major revenue drivers — agencies look for rights that include global adaptability.

Case study snapshot — how The Orangery moved from studio to agency partner

In January 2026, The Orangery — a European transmedia studio focused on graphic novels like “Traveling to Mars” and “Sweet Paprika” — signed with a major agency. Why it worked:

• They brought packaged IP with visual assets and audience data.
• They had a transmedia roadmap showing how IP would expand into TV, games and merchandise.
• Their works were creator-owned with clear rights documentation making agency negotiations straightforward.

Lesson: Package depth + rights clarity = agency interest.

Actionable takeaways — what you can do in the next 30 days

1. Complete your one-page rights summary and chain-of-title document.
2. Produce a 60–90 second sizzle reel or 8–12 image mood board for your IP.
3. Map three potential agency matches from this directory and craft tailored outreach using the email template above.
4. Book an entertainment attorney consultation to review option terms and milestone triggers.
5. Prepare measurable audience metrics and a one-paragraph transmedia roadmap for each outreach.

Extras — downloadable checklist and email lines

Suggested subject lines:

• Transmedia IP: [Title] — 120k readers, graphic-novel sci-fi
• Adaptation opportunity: [Title] — serialized audio with 200k downloads
• Game-ready IP: [Title] — world-bible & playable demo

Email opener (first 30 seconds):

"Hi [Name], I’m [Your Name], creator of [Title]. The IP has [key metric] and a clear transmedia roadmap — short TV arc, live-service game potential and merchandising. I’d love 10 minutes to discuss a potential option or representation. Attached: one-page rights summary and 90-second sizzle."

Final notes on representation strategy

Representation is not one-size-fits-all. If your IP is deeply visual and world-driven, target boutique transmedia studios and then aim for agency packaging. If you have a book or podcast, start with a literary agent who has film/TV relationships. If you’re game-first, approach game-adaptation specialists and interactive producers.

Above all: maintain clean rights, produce compact proof-of-concept assets, and track metrics. In 2026, those three elements are the currency that opens agency doors.

Ready to get introduced?

If you want a vetted introduction or a pitch review tailored to transmedia agencies, we curate shortlists for creators and publishers. Send us your one-page rights summary and sizzle link, and we’ll recommend the three best partners and a tailored outreach note.

Take action now: prepare your rights packet, pick three agency types from this directory, and send your outreach this week. The agencies hunting for transmedia IP are active — make your first impression precise and pack-ready.

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