The Stage

Bebo and Universal Music team up for new web drama

Published Monday 9 June 2008 at 15:40 by Matthew Hemley

Social networking site Bebo has teamed up with Universal Music for a new web drama called The Secret World of Sam King.

The series will be made by the music company’s production arm, Globe Productions, with independent producer Monkey Kingdom. It revolves around a junior employee of Universal Music who starts his own record label in the post room.

Bebo said producers of the drama would “draw on real-life experiences” to create the series, which will include cameo appearances from Universal artists to “bring additional authenticity to the setting and story”.

Bebo users will be able to interact with the series, helping to shape the creative output of the both the show and Sam’s record label.

The Secret World of Sam King follows Bebo’s other web-only dramas, KateModern and Sofia’s Diary.

The internet site’s chief executive Joanna Shields said: “This is a hugely exciting new commission for Bebo and a first between a social network and a music company. Both KateModern and Sofia’s Diary have demonstrated that Bebo has an active user base that is drawn to quality drama that they can interact with and share with their friends.”

Universal Music UK’s chairman and chief executive David Joseph described the show as a “compelling, quality drama”.

The series will be filmed in Universal’s west London headquarters.