Alloy Entertainment, a prominent player in the young adult TV and book industry, is undergoing a transformation. In response to changes in the market, the Warner Bros.-owned imprint is expanding its focus beyond teens and twentysomethings. In a recent episode of the “Variety” podcast “Strictly Business,” Alloy CEO Leslie Morgenstein, TV chief Gina Girolamo, and film head Elysa Koplovitz Dutton discussed their nontraditional approach to developing TV shows, movies, and books.
Shifting Landscape and New Audiences
Alloy Entertainment built its success over the past few decades on popular young adult book series like “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” “Pretty Little Liars,” and “Gossip Girl.” However, the demand for such content has changed in recent years. In response, Alloy is now seeking to tap into adult-centered stories that go beyond the realm of adolescence.
Morgenstein highlights the company’s recent successes with projects like the Netflix drama series “You” and the Netflix movie “Purple Hearts.” These adult-oriented stories have proven to be major hits, prompting Alloy to shift its focus. Morgenstein reveals that while their book business currently consists of about 25% adult titles, they aim to achieve a 50-50 balance between adult and young adult books by the end of 2025.
Expanding Opportunities
Alloy Entertainment’s strategic moves are also influenced by shifts in two youth-oriented TV networks, CW and Freeform. As these networks transition away from teen-focused content, Alloy is actively exploring new opportunities. The company’s core principle of creating a harmonious relationship between books, TV shows, and movies remains intact, even as their character demographics evolve.
Alloy relies on its extensive library of titles to generate material for adaptations. Dutton and Girolamo’s teams are fortunate to work with a continuous flow of material, allowing them to focus on development work. The circular economy between books and screen adaptations has proven fruitful for Alloy, as studios get excited about book adaptations and publishers become eager for potential movie deals. The company’s deep well of novels, some of which can turn into multiple book series, also provides a consistent source of fresh material for showrunners.
Insights and Future Endeavors
During the podcast, the trio also discussed the valuable insights gained from moving the drama series “You” from Lifetime to Netflix. The show experienced a surge in popularity after the transition, highlighting the importance of platform selection.
Alloy Entertainment’s evolution showcases its ability to adapt and thrive in a changing market. By embracing adult-centered stories alongside their traditional young adult content, Alloy is poised for continued success.
To listen to the full podcast episode, visit F5mag.com.