Started in 1993 by Duncan and Kee-Leen Irvine, Rapid Blue is built on passion, strategic thinking, innovation, quality and deep insights into our audiences. We’ve grown into a production powerhouse, infusing a host of global hits with local flavour, developing original content, creating authentic brand experiences, winning loads of awards and building deep, lasting relationships.
Our productions and facilitations include Dancing With the Stars, The Bachelor, Family Feud, Got Talent, Shark Tank, Come Dine With Me, Love Island, and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here to name just a few.
Creativity and agility are at the heart of what we do and we’re experts at finding innovative and cost effective solutions to any content challenge that comes our way. Whether it is a television commission, production services and facilitation, or developing content around a brand’s marketing strategy, we’re able to draw on our incredible production experience and world class networks to create talked-about content that makes a measurable difference to our clients and their audiences.
Rapid Blue is all about strategy, management systems, excellent craft and collaboration amongst teams to make sure we deliver on clients’ objectives as seamlessly and as swiftly as possible. We are experts in putting together advertiser funded programming, with the ability to align brands with the world’s biggest entertainment formats. Our track record of advertiser funded hit-shows have had a positive impact on our clients’ bottom line.
Online and mobile are the strongest platforms for turning content into personal, intuitive and accessible experiences, especially for mobile-conscious audiences. We know how to adapt content designed for on-air viewers to non-linear creative strategies for online consumer extensions and original experiences.
BBC Studios became a strategic partner with Rapid Blue in 2016 and together we have produced First Dates, the evergreen Come Dine With Me and amongst others, Homegrown Tastes South Africa. The partnership allows for Rapid Blue to be the exclusive representative of the BBC Studios catalogue of premium brands such as Dancing With The Stars, The Weakest Link and The Great Bake Off.
The Core Team
Ziyanda Ngcaba
Managing Director
Over the last twenty something years Ziyanda has built up an adventurous career in the television industry. Her curiosity for everything television has guided her journey in the industry from concept ideation tailored for target markets to production, broadcasting, content distribution, platform channel acquisitions, managing channel content output for maximum impact and back to her first love production. Her purpose is to reflect the African narrative and people to itself and the world in a patriotic manner.
Kim Thwaites
Head of Television
Kim’s career in television spans over two and half decades, and in this time she has proven herself to be a sought-after producer with an uncanny ability to pull rabbits out of hats. She has worked both locally and abroad on a variety of different productions, from massive live shows to studio formats and location-based productions. Since joining Rapid Blue she has been integral in helping the company set up and produce numerous international format shows, like I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, X Factor (Nigeria and South Africa), Strictly Come Dancing, So You Think You Can Dance and Come Dine With Me. She has also previously worked on Big Brother and Survivor.
Refiloe Montso
Business & Legal Affairs Manager
Refiloe is an exceptionally talented admitted attorney of the High Court and law graduate from the University of the Witwatersrand, with vast experience in commercial law and law of contract. Her innovative and solution driven character continues to allow her to take on and solve complex legal issues and devise logical solutions. Her ability to understand and develop the television, film and multimedia industry and work with people, secures first class professional legal, governance and business affairs support to Rapid Blue.
Adi de Lancey
Executive Producer
Adi has over 25 years in the television and film industry. Her career has seen her gain experience in a number of genres across the industry from local and international formats, drama, kids programming; gameshows and live broadcast, producing shows not only locally but across Africa, predominantly in East and West Africa. It is not only Adi’s experience, but creative insight and passion for the industry that gives her the requisite credibility in creating great television as Executive Producer for Rapid Blue.
Grant Flynn
Head of Sales & Development
Grant’s career in television started in front of the camera over ten years ago, as a presenter on SABC 2’s daily youth show, Hectic Nine 9. His love for television and content creation saw him take on production company leadership roles and go from strength to strength in creating original content for local and international markets. Grant’s previous roles include, Head of Creative Development, and Head of Business Development & Commercial Affairs with extensive experience in unscripted ideation, while focussing on structuring deals with local broadcasters, international distributors and commercial brands.