MUMBAI: Ben Silverman‘s newly formed multimedia company Electus, an operating business of IAC, and Shine International, the international distribution arm of Elisabeth Murdoch‘s Shine Group, have announced a partnership around the creation of Electus Distribution.
This is a new distribution entity that will handle worldwide sales for Electus‘ content, including television, motion picture and digital.
Electus Distribution will be run by Silverman and Shine International president Chris Grant and its operations will be based at Shine International.
Electus and Shine International management are currently identifying candidates to staff the division, reporting to Silverman and Grant. Electus is also increasing operations to handle the growing slate of programming within Electus and its content labels.
In addition to the international distribution partnership, Electus and Shine International will look to co-fund projects and third party production deals together.
Grant says, "It‘s a special thrill to collaborate with Ben, whose approach to international content has helped shape my vision of the distribution business, and whose pioneering work with international formats and shows has had a transformative effect on the TV landscape. We look forward to adding the tremendous range of content Ben will generate at Electus to our rapidly growing slate of international programming."
Israel-based Abbot Reif Hameiri Production Company, is the first distribution partnership of Electus Distribution. Under the terms of the agreement, Electus Distribution will develop Abbot Reif Hameiri‘s Israeli programming in the United States across all platforms, including mobile, internet and TV. Likewise, Abbot Reif Hameiri has the opportunity to repurpose Electus‘ multi-platform content to sell to the Israeli marketplace.
Abbot Reif Hameiri Production Company CEO Guy Hameiri says, "This unique collaboration is the first of its kind in Israel, and provides an exceptional opportunity - both for talented artists and for our company. The industry in Israel is abundant with creative ideas that do not gain development and impact globally. Working with Electus will allow us to provide a proper platform for talented artists and strengthen our presence in the global content market."
This alternative distribution model will be the first partnership of its kind to tap into the vast pool of content and talent in the Israeli market and to bring it to global audiences across all platforms. As one of its first projects, Electus has secured the rights to bring Cuckoo‘s Nest, an interactive game show on Facebook produced by Abbott Reif Hameiri Production Company in Israel, to the US.
Incorporating daily original live broadcasts from within Facebook, the next-generation format fuses a virtual home-based game with a real studio-based game and Electus will be the first studio to bring such an interactive format to the U.S.
Silverman says, "The content distribution business is evolving rapidly and I‘m thrilled to be partnering with my friends at Shine and working again with Chris Grant to build a next generation distribution company that taps into alternative models and new platforms. Chris is an innovator and leader with the best reputation in international distribution.
Niret Alva, Founder and chief creative officer of Alva Brothers adds, "We cherish the same values of creativity, smart business and a passion for success. He is a great leader and attracts the best minds in the business."
