Ann-Janine Murtagh launches the Tall House Creative agency

Former HarperCollins Children’s Books executive publisher Ann-Janine Murtagh has launched the Tall House Creative agency, offering clients content strategy and brand development, alongside literary and global rights management.

Based in Greenwich, London, the agency specialises in children’s content but will work across the publishing market, with a focus on books, brands and creators that "bring positive energy to the world".

Zosia Knopp, who was previously children’s rights director at Penguin Random House, is a founding agent and global rights director, while Nicola Way, who was formerly marketing director at HarperCollins Children’s Books, is a founding agent and marketing and communications director. They will be joined in the content hub by editor-at-large Kate Burns, formerly colour publisher at HarperCollins Children’s Books, and will work in association with Goldy Broad on art and design.

The agency is already representing Lauren Child’s media rights and launching a new children’s character called Sheepdog Skye. A guidebook for female founders and entrepreneurs is also in the works.

Tall House Creative will also have its own content development hub to generate IP for publishers and offer a pathway for its clients to create bespoke publishing editions and boutique merchandising. With a "strong focus on the book and beyond", the agency will work across TV, film, entertainment, art shows and live performances.

Murtagh has held senior editorial roles at Random House, Penguin and Hachette, and has worked with Michael Morpurgo, Judith Kerr and Michael Bond. She has also won an Emmy as one of the executive producers on "The Tiger Who Came to Tea" television adaptation.

“I’m incredibly excited to be launching Tall House Creative which is a long-held ambition and very lucky to have such a stellar team at start-up," she said. "We look forward to being inventive in collaborating with our clients including authors and illustrators, brands and publishers. It brings me back to working closely with creatives across the industry which is what I’ve always loved.”