London-based The Comfort Zones, a repping firm with designs on linking an international array of production talent with an equally far-flung spread of agencies, has closed its doors.

The company, which was initially launched as Da Comfort Zone by a group of London media hipsters in 2000, gradually took on a slicker yet more vacant corporate tone in 2001 under the guidance of CEO Andrea Binder. Insiders have spoken of an internal rift in the company for some time - the launch of a similarly themed company, Democracy, by several key ex-Comfort Zoners lends weight to this supposition.

Indeed, Gary Dickson, Greg Mills, Denise Haire, Shade Oshunrinde and Kai Stocker have taken up the banner of Democracy, which aims to go on representing directors, DP's and freelance producers to agencies. Contrary to a release however, Daisy Hoque has opted not to take part in the new venture.

Finally, Neue Sentimental Film AG, which had acquired a 25 per cent interest in The Comfort Zones in April 2001, has ended its investment in the now rather uncomfortable Zones.

While prominent UK production companies such as Academy, Blink, Stark signed onto The Comfort Zones' roster, few reported any jobs generated for their directors. Still, the company made a huge splash at the Cannes Lions this year, sponsoring nearly every possible space at the fest, even the back of delegates ID badges.