Big Coat Media specializes in unscripted entertainment-based programming and documentaries. We have established a solid reputation due to our ability to deliver innovative, adaptive, and engaging productions of the highest quality. The company's long-term success is also based on the important relationships we build with clients and broadcast partners, and ensuring we consistently serve their needs.
The team at Big Coat is committed to providing first-rate programming for various platforms that will continue to meet the desires of a diverse and ever-evolving audience.
We are a Gemini Award-winning production company located in Toronto and North Carolina, established in 2000 by our Executive Producing partners Catherine Fogarty and Maria Armstrong. The "Love It or List It" franchise passed the milestone of over 400 episodes in 2019.
Maria Armstrong is CEO and Executive Producer at Big Coat Media, formerly known as Big Coat Productions. In 2016, with Big Coat’s rapid growth in digital content, the company was rebranded and renamed Big Coat Media. Prior to Big Coat, Maria was Director of Original Productions for W Network, where she established a strong independent production department and was responsible for all original productions for the network. Maria has over 40 years of extensive experience in the television and film industry as a producer, director and executive producer. Starting her career in casting, Maria quickly established herself as one of Canada’s foremost casting directors. At the CBC, Maria was Head of Talent and Executive Director of Talent Relations, in charge of oversee the casting of all CBC productions and talent development. In 1996 she left the CBC to launch Armstrong Productions, which become one of the country’s leading independent production companies, with seven highly rated television series airing on a variety of Canadian networks. At Big Coat, Maria executive produced seventeen seasons of the critically acclaimed, Gemini Award-nominated series “Love It or List It” for HGTV Canada and HGTV (US). Love It or List It is one of Canada’s most successful lifestyle series with eight formats in Europe and Australia. The show airs in over 150 countries worldwide. In addition, Maria executive produced five seasons of "Love It or List It Vancouver", for HGTV Canada and HGTV US which has gone on to win the prestigious Leo award. Maria also serves on the board of directors of the CMPA (Canadian Media Producers Association)
Catherine Fogarty is the Founder and President of Big Coat Media. An accomplished Producer, Writer and Director, Catherine began her career in television with Armstrong Productions, where she wrote and co-produced the documentary series "Flower Power" for HGTV Canada. Other credits include "Elvira Kurt: Adventures in Comedy" for Comedy Network, and "Cooking For Love", "Bonnie Stern Entertains" and "A Repair to Remember" for W Network. With the launch of Big Coat Productions in 2000, Catherine began producing her own television series including "Breathing Space Yoga" (W Network), "My Parents' House" (HGTV Canada and US) and the Gemini Award-winning documentary series "Animal Magnetism" (W Network). In 2010, Catherine produced and directed "I Don’t Have Time For This!", a feature length documentary about young women with breast cancer which has aired on W Network and sold internationally. In 2005 Catherine re-teamed with Maria Armstrong under the Big Coat banner. Together they co-produce the critically acclaimed, international hit series "Love It or List It" for W Network and HGTV (US), currently in production on its eighth season. Catherine is also Executive Producer of "Love it or List it Vacation Homes” which recently aired on W Network and received two 2017 Canadian Screen Award nominations, as well as "Love It or List It Vancouver", currently in production of its fifth season for HGTV Canada. With the company’s growth into digital content, Big Coat Productions was rebranded in 2016 and renamed Big Coat Media. Catherine holds a Master of Arts in Social Work from the University of Sydney and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of New England. She has attended Harvard University’s School of Business, Continuing Education and and has recently completed a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Non Fiction Writing from the University of Kings College, Dalhousie University. Catherine is currently writing a book about the 1971 Kingston Penitentiary riot. In 2016 Catherine was nominated for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Catherine is a member of The Documentary Organization of Canada, The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, The Canadian Media Producers Association, Toronto Women in Film, and the Canadian Women's Foundation.
P: (416) 507 – 9829
P: 1 (919) 741 – 4000