FSTVS - The Sandbox Sessions - Jon Mason

Jon Mason is the owner of digital agency Jollywise with nearly 30 years’ experience. After leaving school at 17 to join the Navy, he later studied journalism and got into the early internet, landing a role at Disney in 1999 as a creative producer. That experience shaped his commercial and creative instincts, leading him to launch Jollywise, where he has built digital content and games for major global kids’ brands. After decades working on other people’s IP, Jon felt compelled to create his own. That ambition became Stan & Gran, a preschool animated series that took 12 years to bring to screen. The journey was emotionally intense—full of near-misses, funding challenges, and persistence. But securing a co-producer, landing a Milkshake! commission, and finally closing the funding gap (helped by increased UK animation tax relief) meant the dream was a reality and getting the call to say the show had been greenlit, while he was on the same beach where he’d first imagined the show, was a moment of beautiful serendipity. Driven by a personal passion for nature and getting children outdoors, Jon secured a partnership with the RSPB, reinforcing the show’s purpose-led positioning. Jon's IP journey emphasises that great ideas alone aren’t enough; timing, persistence, understanding commissioners’ needs, and flexibility (while staying true to your show) are crucial. Although a digital expert, he took a traditional broadcast-first route with Stan & Gran, but applied digital thinking by banking assets during production to support long-term ecosystem growth. Jon views modern IP as a brand flywheel, not TV-centric. Broadcast is vital but no longer the sole engine. He’s building a broader strategy including YouTube, direct-to-consumer retail, apps, and potentially Roblox. Looking ahead, Jon plans to deliver remaining episodes of Stan & Gran, expand his digital channels, test new revenue streams, and continue evolving Jollywise —balancing creativity, commercial realism, and long-term brand building. Enjoy the chat.