MUMBAI: Pukeko Pictures, known for the show ?The WotWots? as well as being the affiliate television company of Richard Taylor?s Weta Workshop, has announced a first look deal with television format creator, distributor FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) to produce scripted content along with the appointment of Adam Fratto as executive VP, Development.

Based at FremantleMedia?s L.A. office, Fratto will report to Pukeko Pictures? co-owner Martin Baynton and will work alongside FME senior VP of global content Jeff Tahler and FremantleMedia US senior VP of scripted programming Tony Optican on the development of new scripted television series. These will benefit from the expertise from within the New Zealand entertainment sector, in particular the world-renowned talents of the Wellington film and television production industry and the Weta Workshop facilities.

The deal further expands FME?s global initiative, which has recently included ?The Wedding Band? from Tollin Productions for TBS in the US, and ?Hit And Miss? from Abbott Vision for Sky Atlantic in the UK.

Pukeko Pictures co-founder Richard Taylor said, "We are proud and delighted to have formed this partnership with FremantleMedia Enterprises, a global entertainment leader. Together with Adam EVP, Development, we look forward to creating high-quality and universally appealing productions. Adam brings to the partnership years of industry experience with Atticus Entertainment and Piller/Segan and we are thrilled to announce his appointment".

Pukeko Pictures is affiliated with the Oscar and Bafta award-winning Weta Workshop through founding partners Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger, known internationally for their work on films including the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, King Kong, Avatar, The Adventures of Tintin and The Hobbit and television shows Hercules and Xena and their own IP developed brands Jane and the Dragon and The WotWots ? Season 1 of the series.

FremantleMedia Enterprises Global CEO David Ellender said, "The teams at Pukeko and Weta Workshop are respected the world over for their work at the cutting edge of the film and television industry. Adam?s appointment offers up tremendous opportunities, allowing for incredibly close collaboration between our two organisations on the development, financing and production of innovative new drama series that will appeal to audiences around the globe."

MUMBAI: Television format creator and distributor FremantleMedia has announced the acquisition of the format and licensing rights to ?Recipe to Riches?.

The show, created by Temple Street Productions, is a new reality competition series that sees home cooks battle for a
cash prize and the chance to have their original recipe chosen and sold nationwide in a supermarket chain.

The show kicks off with a cross-country search where a panel of food experts choose finalists in a new food category each week. These categories can include anything from sweet puddings and pies, to cakes, appetizers, main courses, or sweet and savoury snacks. The top three finalists in each category fight for their recipes to be chosen as the category winner and awarded the weekly cash prize. The winning products are then immediately made available in grocery stores nationwide, allowing viewers to taste the products before they cast their vote to decide the ultimate Recipe to Riches champion.

FremantleMedia will roll the format out to international audiences through its worldwide network of production companies, and FME will represent the worldwide licensing rights to the brand (outside of Canada), working closely with the creative production teams to integrate retailers and sponsors into the show, create and launch products with retail partners and develop brand extensions through social media and live events to drive audience participation.

FremantleMedia director, global entertainment development Rob Clark said, "Recipe to Riches is a ground-breaking programme. For the viewer, it?s the first truly interactive food show; in Idols, you can buy and enjoy the music, in Recipe to Riches, the viewer can eat the winning recipe. What could be more satisfying? Sight, sound, smell and taste, all in one TV show. We?re delighted to have acquired Recipe to Riches and we are very much looking forward to bringing local versions of the show to audiences around the world."

FremantleMedia Enterprises? Global CEO David Ellender said, "We are incredibly excited about Recipe to Riches, which is the perfect format to plug in to FME?s global expertise and infrastructure, with huge commercial potential, particularly across sponsorship, consumer products, interactive and live events."

MUMBAI: FremantleMedia Enterprises, the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, has acquired international distribution rights (excluding the US, Canada, UK and Eire) for the home baking series, Baking Made Easy from Pacific Productions.

Baking Made Easy is presented by supermodel turned patisserie chef Lorraine Pascale. The series debuted on BBC2 in the UK, and attracted 2.7 million viewers.

During the series, Pascale shares her secrets, passion and knowledge on baking sweet and savory recipes.

Pascale?s recipes inspire everyone from the cautious cook to those with more accomplished skills.

She became a highly trained patisserie chef after completing a Leith?s Diploma of Food and Wine and a foundation degree in International Culinary Arts in Pastry. She went on to do stages in some of the most renowned kitchens in the world including the Michelin starred Petrus, The Mandarin Oriental, Gilgamesh and The Wolseley.

FME Global CEO David Ellender said, "FME have a premium catalogue of lifestyle and cookery shows and Lorraine Pascale?s Baking Made Easy will fit in extremely well. We are positive that her baking series will be popular amongst our international buyers."

Pacific Productions MD Rachel Purnell added, ?There is already an International buzz about this series and a lot of interest so we are delighted that FME is going to distribute it and look forward to working with them.?