Jonathan created Burly Bird Media as an amalgamation of his artistic goals; to unite his passion for writing, directing, teaching, interviews, games and creativity under the jolly branding of an overweight 90's cartoon chicken. Our website features videogames coverage, our Gaming To Go rental service, and our Next Gen Arcade in partnership with Laser Quest Hemel Hempstead.

Ever since Primary School, Jonathan has been talking about and playing videogames. Thanks to his very best friend of 30+ years, Mike Hazleton (now the creator and Editor of The Xbox Guide), he was able to pursue his childhood wish of writing about the very medium he adored so much. He became Sub Editor to Mike’s The Gaming Shack Network (TGSN). The website achieved a great deal, with review code support from big publishers like EA and Ubisoft, regular trips to press only events in London (including the BAFTA’s), and interviews with developers from Team Ninja, LucasFilm, and Ubisoft Red Storm Entertainment.

He ran his own enthusiast press site site, JTGA, which launched in April 2016, producing both written and video content. JTGA was the next step toward what eventually became thatHITBOX - a collection of long form retrospective features, reactions to industry happenings, satire (because fun!), podcast / streaming content, and a whole bunch of reviews, previews, and interviews.

Burly Bird Media represents the culmination of these formative years. Our development roadmap includes podcasts, books, plays, boardgames, and videogames. Meaningful collaboration and partnerships is at the core of Burly Bird Media, and our Next Gen Arcade at Laser Quest Hemel Hempstead is the first of many creative investments. thatHITBOX is also now fully integrated into Burly Bird Media, with the full archive of articles, podcasts, and videos now hosted here.

Jonathan has also been teaching Drama for over sixteen years, having written / directed over twenty original youth theatre productions, He created his own drama school, the 'Jay Tee Performance Academy', for five years, in both Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, and Stoke Newington in East London. He forged partnerships with the New York Film Academy, NY, and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), and was the creative director for the 'Hackney Youth Performance Academy' in East London.

He is currently the Head of Drama at Laureate Academy in Hemel Hempstead, and is also the Company Director for YOUnique Minds CIC (a mental health support community).