Electus Strikes International Distribution Deals in Over 20 Key Territories

Electus Strikes International Distribution Deals in Over 20 Key Territories Including Australia, Canada and Latin America for Television Series "Mob Wives" as VH1 Greenlights Second Season & Reunion Special


NEW YORK, June 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Echoing its domestic success, Ben Silverman's multimedia entertainment studio Electus, an operating business of IAC (Nasdaq: IACI), today announced that its global distribution arm Electus/Engine Entertainment has already secured international distribution deals with major networks in over 20 territories — including Australia (XYZnetworks), Canada (Shaw Media) and Latin America (MTV Latin America)— for "Mob Wives," the newest hit reality television series airing on VH1. Averaging 1.3 million viewers in each of its first five weeks on the air, "Mob Wives" has just been picked up by VH1 for a second season and a reunion special after only five episodes.

"Electus' focus is to produce and distribute premiere content across every platform for the very best partners worldwide," said Ben Silverman, CEO and founder of Electus. "We are extremely proud to partner with The Weinstein Company, VH1 and our international network partners in bringing this -our first traditional, non-scripted show and hit- to audiences around the world."

"Mob Wives," created by Jennifer Graziano of JustJenn Productions and co-executive produced by Electus and The Weinstein Company (TWC), gives viewers an unfiltered look into this closed-door society of Renee, Karen, Carla and Drita, four struggling "allegedly" associated women who have to pick up the pieces and carry on while their husbands or fathers do time for Mob-related activities. United by a bond which few understand, the women are all struggling with their identities and their futures as they raise their kids as single parents. "Mob Wives" can be seen currently on VH1 on Sunday nights at 8:00pm et/pt. Season two is slated to premiere this fall.

"We are thrilled that not only the U.S., but the global marketplace as a whole has really embraced 'Mob Wives.' While the situation of the women featured in the series is unique, their compelling, real-life stories have a universal appeal that is clearly resonating in markets around the world," said Chris Philip, President of Electus/Engine Distribution. "We are proud to bring this groundbreaking series to the world and look forward to adding tremendous range to our rapidly growing slate of international programming."

"Mob Wives" is produced by TWC, Electus, JustJenn Productions (Jennifer Graziano) and Left/Right (Banks Tarver, Ken Druckerman and Nina Diaz), with Electus/Engine Distribution owning distribution rights across all platforms including television, motion picture, and digital. Executive producers for VH1 include Shelly Tatro, Kari McFarland, Rick Hankey and Jeff Olde.

Actively developing television and digital programming for an extensive line-up of top cable channels, broadcast networks and online entities, Electus is the first integrated multimedia entertainment studio to unite producers, creators, advertisers and distributors under one roof to develop all forms of content for distribution across a variety of platforms around the world. Headed by Silverman, the company connects all parties early on in the development process, creating better content and enabling marketers and advertisers to be a true partner throughout the creative process to develop campaigns. Electus/Engine Distribution handles worldwide sales for Electus' content including television, motion picture and digital.

About Electus

Electus is the first integrated multimedia entertainment studio to unite producers, creators, advertisers and distributors under one roof and produce all forms of content for distribution across a variety of platforms around the world. Headed by Ben Silverman, in partnership with IAC, the company connects advertisers, distributors and content creators early on in the development process, enabling marketers and advertisers to be a true partner in campaigns and content creation. For more information on Electus, visit http://www.electus.com/.

About The Weinstein Company

The Weinstein Company (TWC) is a multimedia production and distribution company launched in October 2005 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films in 1979. TWC also encompasses Dimension Films, the genre label founded in 1993 by Bob Weinstein, which has released such popular franchises as SCREAM, SPY KIDS and SCARY MOVIE. Together TWC and Dimension Films have released a broad range of mainstream, genre and specialty films that have been commercial and critical successes, including Tom Hooper’s THE KING’S SPEECH, winner of four 2011 Academy Awards®, including Best Picture. Since 2005, TWC and Dimension Films have released such films as GRINDHOUSE; I’M NOT THERE; THE GREAT DEBATERS; VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA; THE READER; THE ROAD; HALLOWEEN; THE PAT TILLMAN STORY; PIRANHA 3D; INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS; A SINGLE MAN; BLUE VALENTINE, THE COMPANY MEN; MIRAL; and SCRE4M. Upcoming releases include SPY KIDS 4, APOLLO 18, OUR IDIOT BROTHER, THE DETAILS and MY WEEK WITH MARILYN. Recently wrapping are I DON’T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT and COGAN’S TRADE.

TWC is also active in television production, with credits including the Emmy Award -winning reality series "Project Runway," the new VH1 reality series "Mob Wives," and the critically acclaimed HBO comedy/crime series "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency." The company is producing two "Project Runway" spin offs, "Project Runway: Masters" and "Project Runway: Accessories," which are expected to debut in 2011. The company currently has 17 series in different stages of development, including "Marco Polp," a scripted series about the great explorer; "The Nanny Diaries," based on the hit book; and "The Mad Ones," adapted from the Mafia novel of the same name.


About Electus/Engine Distribution

Electus/Engine Distribution was formed in 2010 by Ben Silverman's multimedia studio, Electus and TV veteran Chris Philip's Engine Entertainment. The company, spearheaded by Chris Philip, is the global distribution arm of Electus that handles all international sales for Electus' programming as well as scripted and non-scripted programs and formats from other well-known 3rd party providers.

About IAC

IAC operates more than 50 leading and diversified Internet businesses across 30 countries. Our mission is to harness the power of interactivity to make daily life easier and more productive for people all over the world. To view a full list of the companies of IAC please visit our website at www.iac.com.Source - http://iac.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1918

Electus Acquires Engine Entertainment, Announces Formation of New Global Distribution Division

--Engine CEO and Industry Veteran Chris Philip to Oversee the New Entity--



NEW YORK, Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ben Silverman's multimedia entertainment studio, Electus, an operating business of IAC (Nasdaq: IACI), today announced the acquisition of Engine Entertainment and the formation of a new in-house global distribution arm, Electus/Engine Distribution. The new division will handle worldwide sales for Electus' content including television, motion picture and digital.

Engine Entertainment CEO Chris Philip will assume the role of President of Electus/Engine Distribution with offices in London, Miami, New York and Los Angeles. With over twenty years of major studio and independent experience in the film and TV industry, Philip will oversee the day-to-day operations of the division, handling distribution of Electus' programming as well as programs and formats from other well-known 3rd party providers. Chris Moreton, currently the COO of Engine Entertainment, will assume the role of Executive Vice President of the new division.

"I'm thrilled to have the Engine team on board, led by an innovator like Chris Philip, to build an exceptional new international distribution arm that taps into unconventional models and platforms, bringing outstanding new content to the world," said Ben Silverman, CEO of Electus. "The content distribution business is changing, and I believe Chris and his team are a force in international TV distribution with top-level experience in the global TV industry that will prove to be a huge asset to Electus."

Prior to today's acquisition, Electus and Engine Entertainment had already established a history of working together to create and distribute innovative programming. Announced last year, Electus and Engine co-produce and distribute Thumb Wars, a ground-breaking interactive Smart Phone treasure hunt game show for the U.S. and global markets with sales in multiple territories, originally brought to Engine by format consultant Michel Rodrigue. The partnership packages a hybrid reality competition format to involve network, advertising and digital integration offering an untapped platform for advertisers and electronic applications. Since its launch, Engine Entertainment has sourced over six hundred hours of content for distribution (a mix of U.S. shows that aired on Fox Sports Net, Showtime, PBS, Hulu, and HGTV) and has also partnered with the creator of Baywatch, Greg Bonann, and QED's Bill Block, for the international distribution of Greg Bonann's latest series, Pt. Dume, which is being cleared throughout the U.S. by Twentieth Century Fox and Tribune Broadcasting.

"Ben's game-changing pre-eminence in the global TV market place consistently raises the bar," said Chris Philip, President of Engine/Electus Distribution. "In a very competitive landscape for fresh ideas and product, this deal now puts us at the front of the line."

Today's news rounds out the Electus global distribution strategy and allows the studio to seamlessly handle content creation and distribution in every region of the world and across every format. Electus/Engine Distribution complements the existing Electus international distribution partnerships, including one with Elizabeth Murdoch's Shine Group, which will continue international distribution of its current deals such as Cuckoo's Nest,Master of the Mix, P.I. Moms and Hiccups. As part of the partnership between Electus and Guy Hameiri's Abbot Reif Hameiri Production Company, the leading production company in Israel, Electus/Engine Distribution now serves as the international sales team for the company's programming.

Actively developing television and digital programming for an extensive line-up of top cable channels, broadcast networks and online entities, Electus is the first integrated multimedia entertainment studio to unite producers, creators, advertisers and distributors under one roof to develop all forms of content for distribution across a variety of platforms around the world. Headed by Silverman, the company connects all parties early on in the development process, creating better content and enabling marketers and advertisers to be a true partner throughout the creative process to develop campaigns.

About Electus

Electus is the first integrated multimedia entertainment studio to unite producers, creators, advertisers and distributors under one roof and produce all forms of content for distribution across a variety of platforms around the world. Headed by Ben Silverman, in partnership with IAC, the company connects advertisers, distributors and content creators early on in the development process, enabling marketers and advertisers to be a true partner in campaigns and content creation. For more information on Electus, visit http://www.electus.com/.

About Engine Entertainment

Engine Entertainment was founded in 2009 by a management team with top-level experience in the global TV industry, high-level contacts across the world's TV markets, and in-depth knowledge of international co-production structures. As well as sourcing over 600 hours of content for distribution, it launched a specialized formats division with Michel Rodrigue as consultant, the first project of which was the ground-breaking interactive Smart Phone treasure hunt game show Thumb Wars, which Engine is co-producing with Electus, for the US, Canada, and the UK. The format has also sold in France, Spain, Poland, and Mexico. Engine also launched Engine Latino, a Spanish language production JV with Simon Bross, one of Mexico's most awarded director/producers who has strong ties to advertisers.

About IAC

IAC operates more than 50 leading and diversified Internet businesses across 30 countries... our mission is to harness the power of interactivity to make daily life easier and more productive for people all over the world. To view a full list of the companies of IAC please visit our website at www.iac.com.Source - http://iac.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1876

Electus International Unveils Scripted Television Slate For MIPTV 2012 Global Marketplace

NEW YORK, March 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ben Silverman's multimedia entertainment studio Electus, an operating business of IAC (Nasdaq: IACI), today unveiled highlights of its scripted television programming slate. These include the priority titles from an ever-growing slate that will be brought to market at MIPTV in Cannes, France, which begins on April 1st. This new block of television programming includes original series concepts developed by Electus and its creative partners, as well as successful third party international formats that Electus has acquired for both international distribution and U.S. production.

"From comedies and dramas to epic action/adventure series, our diverse set of scripted programming demonstrates our Company's ongoing commitment to creating premium, creative content that resonates with TV audiences around the world," said Chris Grant, CEO of Electus. "We look forward to working with our domestic and international partners to bring these stories to life on a global scale."

Electus' block of original scripted programming includes:

• MARCO POLO: Written and created by John Fusco, Marco Polo is a fantastical new martial arts epic about the thirteenth century explorer, chronicling the famous adventurer's early years in the court of Kublai Khan. Conscripted into service as the ruler's spy, ambassador, and explorer, young Polo is trained in the scholar-warrior tradition of thirteenth century China. In a court filled with political betrayal and forbidden relationships, Marco must use his martial arts training to survive, but it is his ability to enchant Khan with imaginative tales of his kingdom that is often his best tool to stay alive.Marco Polo is a series order (10 hours) with Starz in association with The Weinstein Company that will air in the U.S. on Starz Premium Network. Electus (Ben Silverman, Jimmy Fox), The Weinstein Company (Harvey Weinstein, Bob Weinstein, Meryl Poster), John Fusco and Dave Erickson (Son's of Anarchy) will executive produce. Erickson will co-show run the epic adventure series with Fusco. Electus and The Weinstein Company will co-distribute Marco Polointernationally.
• CASCA: Based on the cult favorite book series by Barry Sadler, this action/adventure series follows Casca, a soldier who was cursed into a life of immortality by Jesus Christ on the day of the crucifixion. For 2000 years, Casca has battled the Brotherhood of the Lamb with the fate of the world hanging in the balance, becoming history's ultimate warrior. Now in present day, the Biblical signs and wonders are returning, and the Second Coming is at last at hand. Casca will need to find and protect the chosen mother to insure the Messiah's birth, and, with it, his own merciful death. Jason Smilovic (My Own Worst Enemy, Kidnapped and Lucky Number Slevin) will write the pilot and executive produce. Electus (Ben Silverman, Jimmy Fox), Michael Taddross, Jr. and Phil Ferrara will executive produce.
• THE LAM: Written, directed and executive produced by Wayne Kramer (The Cooler), The Lam is a dark drama set in modern day Chicago centered around The Lambert Arms, a full service hotel for criminals. Whether it is money laundering, rescue from the scene of a crime or identity transformation, the hotel offers a refuge for criminals on "the lam." The show's lead character is Phil Donagan, the hotel's general manager who must deal with the Chicago mob heads, the crooked cops and the criminals staying under his watch, all the while trying to shield his wife and young daughter from his work life. The Lam is executive produced by Electus (Ben Silverman, Chris Grant, Jimmy Fox), Chris Philip (Engine Entertainment), Kramer and Renee Tab of Sentient. Muse Entertainment Enterprises, Inc. is the Canadian Production Company on the series with Executive Producers, Joel S. Rice and Michael Prupas.
• CRUX: Written by Rod Lurie and Marc Frydman (Commander in Chief, Straw Dogs, The Last Castle, The Contender), The Crux is a drama whose revolutionary concept explores the mystery surrounding George Gabbler, a polished and enigmatic cult leader. The series traces Gabbler's past from his shady beginnings as a community college art professor to his transformation into a powerful, charismatic leader whose empire of 55,000 followers worldwide now threatens to unravel. The Crux is executive produced by Electus (Ben Silverman, Chris Grant, Jimmy Fox), Chris Philip (Engine Entertainment), Kevin Spacey and Scott Lambert. Shaftesbury is the Canadian Production Company on the series.
• WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR: Created by hit director Pierre Morel (Taken) and British writer Stewart Harcourt (Jericho),William the Conqueror is a historical epic series following the iconic French monarch through his rise to power and invasion of England in 1066. The series will be infused with a contemporary style, depicting The Conqueror as the world's first gangster. Electus (Ben Silverman, Chris Grant, Jimmy Fox), Chris Philip (Engine Entertainment), Pierre Morel and Renee Tab will executive produce.

Electus has also acquired the rights to distribute various successful international formats for global and domestic distribution, including:

• BLUE NATALIE: Based off of an Israeli format (DBS) created by Avner Bernheimer and Guy Sidis, Blue Natalie is a dynamic drama series centered around a family who runs a busy sex trafficking business out of their yacht (Blue Natalie) that is supposedly used to accommodate honeymooning couples, bar mitzvah parties and birthday celebrations. The series highlights the events that befall the main characters as the world of women trafficking and prostitution runs parallel with the normative, bourgeois lives they lead with their families. Electus has set the format up in the U.S. with Lifetime Network. Wendy West (Dexter, The Closer, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) will write and executive produce the adaptation.
• WORLD'S END: Based off of a successful Icelandic format (Channel 2) produced and created by Sagafilm, World's End is a dark comedy set in 1992 at an isolated mental hospital on the outskirts of Reykjavík. The hospital, referred to as 'World's End' is a last resort for many mental patients, many of whom consider it a home. Elementary school teacher, Einar, is committed against his will after a severe nervous breakdown during which he had to be coaxed down from a rooftop, stark naked. Einar is unhappy about his stay at the hospital. He is critical about how things are run and before long he's gotten most of the patients on his side, rooting for change. Finally, fed up with his arguments falling on deaf ears, he stages a revolution and takes over the hospital, declaring it a state within a state, a Utopia for the mentally ill.
• ZANZURI: Based of off of a successful Israeli format (DBS) created by Yuval Fridman, Yuval Semo and Ben Bachar,Zanzuri centers on Pini Zanzuri, an average family man who suffers a heart attack at a surprise party on his 40th birthday and discovers that every man in his family has died of a heart failure at that same age. Pini comes to grips with his fate in a very short time and decides to go for it, making a promise to himself that he will use the time he has left to realize any dream or fantasy he has ever had. Electus has set the format up in the U.S. with Viacom's TV Land. Writer Jon Sherman(Frasier, Royal Pains) will write and executive produce the adaptation.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/electus-international-unveils-scripted-television-slate-for-miptv-2012-global-marketplace-144608315.html

Electus Acquires Engine Entertainment

By Mansha Daswani

Published: January 18, 2011

NEW YORK: Ben Silverman's Electus has set up a global distribution division with its acquisition of Engine Entertainment, the venture founded by former Power executive Chris Philip.

The new division, Electus/Engine Distribution, will be led by Philip as president. He will oversee day-to-day operations at Electus/Engine Distribution, which will handle worldwide sales for Electus’ content as well as third-party fare. Chris Moreton, currently the COO of Engine Entertainment, will become executive VP of the new division.

"I'm thrilled to have the Engine team on board, led by an innovator like Chris Philip, to build an exceptional new international distribution arm that taps into unconventional models and platforms, bringing outstanding new content to the world,” said Silverman, the CEO of Electus. “The content distribution business is changing, and I believe Chris and his team are a force in international TV distribution with top-level experience in the global TV industry that will prove to be a huge asset to Electus.”

"Ben’s game-changing preeminence in the global TV marketplace consistently raises the bar,” added Philip. “In a very competitive landscape for fresh ideas and product, this deal now puts us at the front of the line.”

http://www.worldscreen.com/articles/display/28330

Ben Silverman's Electus Acquires Engine Entertainment

The firm is using the purchase to form new global distribution arm Electus/Engine Distribution.

NEW YORK - Ben Silverman's multimedia studio Electus, a business of Barry Diller's IAC, has acquired Engine Entertainment and formed in-house global distribution arm Electus/Engine Distribution.

Financial terms weren't disclosed.

The new division will handle worldwide sales for Electus' content across television, film and digital.

Engine Entertainment CEO Chris Philip will assume the role of president of the distribution arm.

Said Electus CEO Silverman: "The content distribution business is changing, and I believe Chris and his team are a force in international TV distribution with top-level experience in the global TV industry that will prove to be a huge asset to Electus."

Electus and Engine had already worked together on content creation and distribution.

Said Philip: “In a very competitive landscape for fresh ideas and product, this deal now puts us at the front of the line.”

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ben-silvermans-electus-acquires-engine-72794

Silverman's Electus fires up Engine

Ben Silverman's IAC-backed multimedia studio Electus has bought Engine Entertainment, the international distributor owned by former Power Corp sales head Chris Philip.

The acquisition gives Electus a major distribution outlet, to be known as Electus/Engine Distribution, for its television, motion picture and digital titles, with Philip assuming the role of president. Engine's chief operating officer Chris Moreton will become executive VP.

The division will have offices in London, Miami, New York and LA. Since launching last year, Engine has acquired 600 hours of programming, while Silverman's Electus, which is backed by IAC, has entered into a string of partnerships to develop multimedia content.

Last year, Electus and Engine began a partnership when they hooked up to coproduce and distribute a US version of interactive property Thumb Wars, which was brought to Engine by formats consultant and former Distraction Formats boss Michel Rodrigue.

"I'm thrilled to have the Engine team on board, led by an innovator like Chris Philip, to build an exceptional new international distribution arm that taps into unconventional models and platforms, bringing outstanding new content to the world," Silverman said.

"The content distribution business is changing, and I believe Chris and his team are a force in international TV distribution with top-level experience in the global TV industry that will prove to be a huge asset to Electus."

Electus already has one distribution venture, Electus Distribution, a partnership launched with Shine International, the sales division of Elisabeth Murdoch's Shine Group. That division handles worldwide sales for Electus, plus some third-party content. Electus says it will continue with this partnership, which includes titles such as Cuckoo’s Nest, Master of the Mix and PI Moms.

Former NBC co-chairman Silverman launched Electus with IAC's Barry Diller in October 2009. The firm has gone on to strike partnerships with Yahoo!, web comedy company DumbDumb, Israeli prodco Abbot Reif Hameiri Production Company, and most recently AOL.

Engine – launched by Philip before MipTV last year – has assets including a Latin American production-distribution arm, Engine Latino, a joint venture with local Mexican Bross el Cuadrado, which C21 revealed the news of last June.

It also sells programmes such as Bellator Fighting Championship, a mixed martial arts show sold Australian pay-TV network Foxtel Main Event, Mexico's MVS Multi Vision, France's AB Media and Finland's Nelonen among others.

Jesse Whittock
18 Jan 2011
© C21 Media 2011

http://www.c21media.net/news/detail.asp?article=59059&area=1

Electus pacts with Engine Entertainment

Ben Silverman firm to form global distribution division

By TOM LOWRY

Ben Silverman can circle the globe now. His multimedia studio Electus said Tuesday it is purchasing Engine Entertainment to help with worldwide sales of TV, film and digital content from Electus.

Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed. The buyout will create Electus/Engine Distribution, which will be headed by entertainment vet and Engine CEO Chris Philip. "I'm thrilled to have the Engine team on board, led by an innovator like Chris Philip, to build an exceptional new international distribution arm that taps into unconventional models and platforms, bringing outstanding new content to the world," said Electus CEO Silverman.."The content distribution business is changing, and I believe Chris and his team are a force in international TV distribution with top-level experience in the global TV industry that will prove to be a huge asset to Electus."

The former NBC chief formed Electus last July in partnership with Barry Diller's IAC to create content in large partnerships with marketers.

The Engine deal complements existing distribution agreements that Electus has in place, including one with Elisabeth Murdoch's Shine Group, which purchased Silverman's Reveille production company in 2008. Reports surfaced last week that Shine may be on the sales block. One of the interested parties? Murdoch's father, Rupert, Chairman of News Corp.

Electus and Engine have worked together before. Last year, the two companies co-produced and distributed Thumb Wars, an interactive smart phone treasure hunt game show for the U.S. and global markets, originally brought to Engine by format consultant Michel Rodrigue.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118030423?refCatId=18