Kwame Newman-Bremang Honoured with the 2013 Innovative Storytellers Award
Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg, Co-CEO’s and Executive Producers of marblemedia, a leading content creator and distributor, are privileged to honour Ryerson University student Kwame Newman-Bremang with the 2013 Innovative Storytellers Award at the RTA Awards ceremony today.
Launched in 2008, in conjunction with Ryerson University’s Masters of Arts in Media Production program, the Innovative Storytellers Award honours the academic and creative work of a full-time graduate student who has developed a creative proposal that speaks to new audiences, technologies and the future of broadcasting. With the award, the winner receives a mentorship with both Bishop and Hornburg.
Taking inspiration from a range of diverse storytelling mediums and genres, Newman-Bremang’s winning project Ghost Catcher is a compelling interactive role-play narrative that illustrates how a number of convergent features can be leveraged to deliver captivating and engaging mobile content. Ghost Catcher is a paranormal tale of love and loss that takes users on an adventure through Ryerson University’s campus by using the GPS, touch screen and audio features of the Android device.
“Media producers are in a key position to creatively redefine how we utilize and interact with technology,” said Newman-Bremang, who has received his Masters in Media Production. “My aim withGhost Catcher was to illustrate this by leveraging convergent forms, both traditional and emergent, in order to entertain and educate audiences.”
“As a leader in transmedia storytelling, we look forward to mentoring Kwame as he grows his career in the digital industry,” said Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg, Co-CEOs and Executive Producers, marblemedia – and Ryerson alumni. “In this transformative era, we are continually looking for innovative ways to engage audiences and projects like Ghost Catcher are examples of the exciting future of our business.”
“Kwame’s exceptional project results from his passion for combining experiential media, evolving technologies and the diverse use of mobile devices to create new exciting opportunities for both media professionals and audiences,” said Professor Laura Nenych, Ryerson University. “By offering such a terrific opportunity for students like Kwame to work with industry experts, the Innovative Storytellers Award supports a new generation of media entrepreneurs who will advance the rapidly changing landscape of the Canadian media industry.”
marblemedia develops, produces and distributes engaging multiplatform entertainment experiences for audiences around the world. Honoured with Playback’s Outstanding Achievement Award (2013) and named Transmedia Producer of the Year (2011) by Playback, marble has won two Gemini Awards, been nominated for an Emmy® Award and was identified as a Next Generation Content Producer (2009) by The Hollywood Reporter. The company owns a 50-acre production ranch and operates a Toronto-based studio, home to 50 staff. With over 200 hours of programming distributed in more than 200 territories, notable projects include: the upcoming comedic Japanese game showJapanizi: Going, Going, Gong; the award-winning hit preschool series This is Daniel Cook and This is Emily Yeung; the award-winning series Taste Buds; Skatoony, North America’s first animated/live-action quiz show; the animated comedy Dating Guy; the teen competition series The Adrenaline Project; the physical game show Splatalot; What’s in a Name, a discovery of the history behind popular household names; and the first multiplatform series in American Sign Language, deafplanet.com. The company was co-founded by Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg in 2001. Experience marblemedia atwww.marblemedia.com.
Ryerson University is Canada's leader in innovative, career-oriented education and a university clearly on the move. With a mission to serve societal need, and a long-standing commitment to engaging its community, Ryerson offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. Distinctly urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to more than 30,000 students, including 2,300 master's and PhD students, nearly 2,700 faculty and staff, and more than 140,000 alumni worldwide. The Master of Arts in Media Production is one of several graduate programs offered through the Faculty of Communication & Design and administered through the School of Graduate Studies. Designed by the Faculty’s RTA School of Media at www.ryersonrta.com, the program has been designed to launch Canada's next generation of media innovators. For more information, visitwww.ryerson.ca/graduate/mediaproduction
For more information, please contact:
Molly Ray | Director, Marketing and Communications | 416.646.2711 ext. 232 | molly@marblemedia.com
D360 Becomes Exclusive Kids and Family Distributor for Skywriter Media & Entertainment Group
(October 7, 2013 – Toronto, Canada) Distribution360, a marblemedia company with a focus on sales to both traditional and emerging platforms, has entered into a first look deal with Skywriter Media & Entertainment Group on all new Kids and Family series moving forward as well as sell Skywriter Distribution’s wholly owned and represented library of titles.
As part of marblemedia’s ongoing commitment to expand the distribution side of their business, this latest deal will add over 250 half hours of popular properties as well as add new titles to D360’s portfolio. Recent Skywriter award-winning titles include Atomic Betty, Miss BG and iconic hits such as The Raccoons.
“We look forward to working with Kevin Gillis and the Skywriter team,” said Mark Bishop, Co-CEO and Executive Producer, marblemedia. “This latest deal for D360 is another example of our commitment to expand marble’s distribution division by working with high caliber creative talent and showcasing their work internationally to reach new audiences on multiple platforms.”
“Skywriter is known for its world class slate of children’s and family content. Distribution360 has an unparalleled reputation with broadcasters and content platforms worldwide. We are excited to be working with Mark Bishop and Kirsten Hurd and their dynamic distribution team in furthering Skywriter’s content and distribution slate,” said Kevin Gillis, CEO of Skywriter.
Skywriter properies include: the popular kids animation series Atomic Betty (78 x 30’ and 1 x 60’ special), the award-winning series The Raccoons (60 x 30’), the live action documentary Kids World Sports (26 x 30’), the environmental and science kids series Planet Echo (26 x 30’), the language education preschool series The Wumblers (26 x 11’) as well as the heartfelt comedy Miss BG (104 x 11’, 2 x 30’ specials and 24 x 2’ mobisodes).
For sales inquiries or to set up a meeting at MIPCOM, please contact Kirsten Hurd, Director, International Sales and Acquisitions at kirsten@distribution360.com.
D360 will be showcasing Skywriter titles at MIPCOM Booth 02.10.
Distribution360, a marblemedia company, is a forward-thinking distribution company that focuses on traditional media sales, while actively pursuing growth in the digital space. Its mandate is the full monetization of television and interactive content on traditional and emerging platforms worldwide, with a focus on kids, drama and factual programming. Experience at www.distribution360.com.
Skywriter Media & Entertainment Group is an award-winning integrated family entertainment company creating, producing, financing, acquiring and distributing outstanding broadcast, broadband and mobile digital content. Our seasoned management team has delivered world class animation and live action content resulting in successful global brands. Skywriter’s Skyreader Media division is a company dedicated to developing new technology and product for the emerging interactive eBook market and for broadcast as a second screen. The Skyreader Studio tool is now in open beta with a number of creators, publishers and content owners.
For more information, please contact:
Molly Ray | 416-646-2711 ext. 232 | molly@marblemedia.com
www.facebook.com/Distribution360 | @Distribution360
Distribution360 Showcases a Diverse Catalogue of New Television and Interactive Content at MIPCOM 2013
September 23, 2013 (Toronto, ON) – Distribution360, a marblemedia company with a focus on sales to both traditional and emerging platforms, unveils a roster of new Lifestyle and Unscripted, as well as Kids and Youth television and interactive content at MIPCOM this fall. New properties include: family-friendly scavenger hunts in Twin Factor, heart warming stories in Talent Hounds and laugh out loud, fish-out-of-water experiences in Japanizi: Going, Going, Gong!
“We are committed to providing the best quality content across multiple platforms to our international buyers,” said Mark Bishop, Co-CEO/Executive Producer, marblemedia and Founding Partner, D360. “With recent additions in the Lifestyle and Unscripted genres, D360 continues to grow with like-minded third party producers to sell cross-platform content to a global marketplace.”
NEW Lifestyle and Unscripted
TWIN FACTOR – Format
(LES JUMELLES – 26 x 30 minute episodes)
Produced by Balestra Productions, Twin Factor is a new format that features a fast-paced educational race against the clock pitting two teams of two teens against each other on a quest through their own city. Each team must solve a geographical or historical riddle significant to the host city in order to win a donation to the charity of their choice. On their journey, teams must find clues, collect GPS coordinates and overcome zany challenges from the twin hosts who deliver misleading information.
Originally created for a French-Canadian audience (Les Jumelles), this comedic series can be easily formatted for other territories.
TALENT HOUNDS – 4 x 30 minute episodes and 1 x 60 minute special
Produced by Hop To It Productions, Talent Hounds is a heartwarming and captivating series showcasing a wide variety of dogs with outstanding talents. Each story takes an in-depth look at the evolution of the dog in the human world and explores how some dogs have found their talents while overcoming their history in rescue facilities and shelters.
NEW Kids and Youth
JAPANIZI: GOING, GOING, GONG! – 40 x 30 minute episodes
Japanizi: Going, Going, Gong! is a wildly entertaining Japanese-style family game show complete with conveyor belts, dizzy chairs and Velcro Walls.
With three elimination rounds to present one final winner, every episode features four teams of two contestants who are dropped into an unfamiliar world filled with crazy costumes, over-the-top stunts and energetic characters including Host Yoshi, Judge Masa, Shinobi and his four ninjas as well as a live Japanese studio audience.
Produced by marblemedia, Japanizi: Going, Going, Gong! will be accompanied by a second screen experience mobile app and interactive website.
THIS IS SCARLETT AND ISAIAH – 52 x 6 minute episodes and 13 x 30 minute episodes
Debuting in Canada on Treehouse this month and stemming from the worldwide hit preschool franchise (This is Daniel Cook and This is Emily Yeung) this third and all-new installment features two new hosts Scarlett and Isaiah.
With the goal of empowering children to fearlessly explore the world around them, This is Scarlett and Isaiah follows two adorable and bubbly six year olds as they try things for the very first time.
Featuring an extended online experience including a “build your own episode” feature and other games available for licensing, this series is produced by Sinking Ship Entertainment andmarblemedia.
Additional series include: Other properties that will be showcased this MIPCOM include paranormal activity in Ghostly Encounters (83 x 30’), puppy love in Puppy SOS (13 x 30’), a baking competition series Cake Walk: Wedding Cake Edition (13 x 60’), the medieval physical game show Splatalot (52 x 30’), the live action/animated comedy series Skatoony (39 x 30’), popular titles from Cuppa Coffee Studios including Tigga & Togga (26 x 3’), a preschool series exploring communication through music, Bruno and the Banana Bunch (26 x 11’) and A Very Barry Christmas (1 x 45 minute movie), a stop-motion Christmas mix-up of epic proportions.
For sales inquiries or to set up a meeting, please contact Kirsten Hurd, Director, International Sales and Acquisitions at kirsten@distribution360.com.
Come visit us at MIPCOM Booth 02.10.
About Distribution360
Distribution360, a marblemedia company, is a forward-thinking distribution company that focuses on traditional media sales, while actively pursuing growth in the digital space. Its mandate is the full monetization of television and interactive content on traditional and emerging platforms worldwide, with a focus on kids, drama and factual programming. Experience at www.distribution360.com.
For more information, please contact:
Molly Ray | Director, Marketing and Communications | 416.646.2711 ext. 232 |molly@marblemedia.com
Distribution360 Expands its Team with Two New Hires
September 5, 2013 (Toronto, ON) – Distribution360, a marblemedia company, is pleased to announce it is expanding its team with two new hires – Caroline Tyre as Director of Business Development and Smiljka Baljozovic as Sales Executive.
As Director of Business Development, Tyre will focus on expanding D360’s catalogue through acquisitions from third party producers and also develop new television and digital media business opportunities for the company.
With over 16 years in the business, Tyre has held positions in production, development, programming and distribution. She played an integral role in the growth of the acquisition and sales divisions of top-tier companies including Entertainment One, CBC and Decode Entertainment (now DHX Media). She was Director of Programming at TELETOON for over five years where she handled the acquisitions and scheduling strategy for TELETOON Daytime, TELETOON at Night and TELETOON Retro, as well as the multi-platform strategy for all of TELETOON's emerging platforms. Tyre will be reporting directly to Mark Bishop, Managing Partner, D360.
D360 has also brought Smiljka Baljozovic on board as Sales Executive where she will focus on sales of the company’s catalogue in Eastern Europe, Latin America and French speaking territories. She has also held positions at Summerhill Entertainment, CBC and Fireworks International (now Content Media Corporation). After moving to Canada from Belgrade, Serbia, she joined Productions La Fête before becoming International Sales Executive for the world educational market at TVO.
Baljozovic will be reporting directly to Kirsten Hurd in her newly upped role as Director of International Sales and Acquisitions.
With a continued focus on content sales of television and digital media content on emerging platforms, marblemedia has created a new role. Martin Sieg, Interactive Brand Manager, now has an expanded portfolio overseeing the exploitation of content on non-traditional distribution channels for D360’s catalogue of brands.
About Distribution360
Distribution360, a marblemedia company, is a forward-thinking distribution company that focuses on traditional media sales, while actively pursuing growth in the digital space. Its mandate is the full monetization of television and interactive content on traditional and emerging platforms worldwide, with a focus on kids, drama and factual programming. Experience at www.distribution360.com.
For more information, please contact:
Molly Ray | Director of Marketing and Communications | 416.646.2711 ext. 232 |molly@marblemedia.com
marblemedia Welcomes Melissa Taylor as Vice President of Legal
July 30, 2013 (Toronto, ON) – Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg, Co-CEOs of marblemedia, a leading content creator and distributor, are pleased to announce that Melissa Taylor, former Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs, Spin Master Entertainment Group, has signed on as Vice President of Legal effective immediately.
In this newly created role, Melissa will oversee all legal matters as the company expands its international sales, digital media and co-productions. She will structure and negotiate new development, digital media and distribution deals for marble’s Distribution360 as well as quarterback legal matters for merchandising and licensing as well as intellectual property protection.
With over 15 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Melissa has served as a lawyer in television and film development and production in Toronto and LA at Alliance Atlantis, as well as Cookie Jar, Knightscove and Sullivan.
Melissa has an extensive credit list including television properties Paw Patrol, Road to Avonlea, Wind at My Back, Power Play, Total Recall 2070, Doodlebops, Caillou, Arthur and Redakai, Under the Piano, Shot Through The Heart, Lathe of Heaven, Crossed Over and The Albert Walker Story; feature films include Virginia’s Run, Kart Racer, Blizzard and Sophie – just to name a few.
For a downloadable headshot, click here.
marblemedia develops, produces and distributes engaging multiplatform entertainment experiences for audiences around the world. Named Transmedia Producer of the Year (2011) by Playback, marble has won two Gemini Awards, been nominated for an Emmy® Award and was identified as a Next Generation Content Producer (2009) by The Hollywood Reporter. The company owns a 50-acre production ranch and operates a Toronto-based studio, home to 50 staff. With over 200 hours of programming distributed in more than 200 territories, notable projects include: the upcoming comedic Japanese game show Japanizi: Going, Going, Gong!; the award-winning hit preschool series This is Daniel Cook and This is Emily Yeung; the award-winning series Taste Buds; Skatoony, North America’s first animated/live-action quiz show; the animated comedy Dating Guy; the teen competition series The Adrenaline Project; the physical game show Splatalot; What’s in a Name, a discovery of the history behind popular household names; and the first multiplatform series in American Sign Language, deafplanet.com. The company was co-founded by Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg in 2001. Experience marblemedia at www.marblemedia.com.
For more information, please contact:
Molly Ray | Director, Marketing and Communications, marblemedia | 416.646.2711 ext. 232 |molly@marblemedia.com
www.facebook.com/marblemedia or @marblemedia
marblemedia Announces Licensing Agent The Licensing Shop To Represent Its Newest Series Japanizi: Going, Going, Gong!
June 17, 2013 (Toronto, ON) – Now in its 12th year of developing and creating award-winning content for global audiences, marblemedia today announced it is partnering with the boutique licensing agency The Licensing Shop Inc. (TLS) to expand its newest television series Japanizi: Going, Going, Gong! into a line of consumer products that will be available in North America.
Representing many of Hollywood’s most exciting entertainment brands TLS, led by industry veterans’ Steve Fowler and Nancy Fowler, will be responsible for securing licensees in key categories including toys, board games, publishing, video games and apparel.
“When Japanizi: Going, Going, Gong! launches on YTV and Disney XD this fall, our goal is to provide fans a 360 experience through the television series, online games, a second screen app and now consumer products,” said Mark Bishop, Co-CEO and Executive Producer. “We are looking forward to working with The Licensing Shop’s wealth of experience and are confident that our brand will compliment other existing products in today’s marketplace.”
TLS’ President Steve Fowler added: “We have wanted to work with marblemedia for many years as we have admired their high standards of creativity and production quality. Japanizi: Going, Going, Gong! is such a fun game format with a fantastic crazy cast and colourful environment. We are looking forward to helping translate this property into a successful merchandise program.”
Currently in production, all episodes are shot in front of a live studio audience on a colourful set filled with conveyor belts and Velcro walls. Japanizi: Going, Going, Gong! features three elimination rounds to present one final winner in each episode. Every half-hour will feature four teams of two contestants who are dropped into an unfamiliar Japanese world filled with crazy costumes, physical gags, over-the-top stunts and energetic characters such as host Yoshi, judge Masa, Shinobi and four ninjas.
An adaptation of the popular series I Survived a Japanese Game Show -- which was created by David Sidebotham with formatting rights licensed by Small World IFT -- this chaotic and zany game show will make its world premiere this fall on YTV (Canada) and on Disney XD in the United States. It will launch on VRAK TV in French Canada in 2014.
Disney Channels in Europe, Middle East, Africa and parts of Asia Pacific, including Australia, India and South East Asian territories will launch the series in 2014 through an agreement with Distribution360, a marblemedia company.
Distribution360 is a forward-thinking distribution company that focuses on traditional media sales, while actively pursuing growth in the digital space. Its mandate is the full monetization of television and interactive content on traditional and emerging platforms worldwide, with a focus on kids, drama and factual programming. www.distribution360.com
marblemedia develops, produces and distributes engaging multiplatform entertainment experiences for audiences around the world. Named Transmedia Producer of the Year (2011) by Playback, marble has won two Gemini Awards, been nominated for an Emmy® Award and was identified as a Next Generation Content Producer (2009) by The Hollywood Reporter. The company owns a 50-acre production ranch and operates a Toronto-based studio, home to 50 staff. With nearly 200 hours of programming distributed in more than 200 territories, notable projects include the award-winning hit preschool series This is Daniel Cook and This is Emily Yeung; the award-winning series Taste Buds; Skatoony, North America’s first animated/live-action quiz show; the animated comedy Dating Guy; the teen competition series The Adrenaline Project; the physical game show Splatalot; What’s in a Name, a discovery of the history behind popular household names; and the first multiplatform series in American Sign Language, deafplanet.com. The company was co-founded by Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg in 2001. Experience marblemedia at www.marblemedia.com.
About The Licensing Shop Inc. The Licensing Shop, Inc. (TLS) is a brand licensing agency specializing in the strategic development of consumer products based on multi-platform entertainment programs, celebrities and fashion brands. The company’s expertise focuses on extending brands into licensed poducts, creating new revenue streams for its clients in addition to the incremental marketing benefits of reaching new consumers. TLS is owned and managed by industry veterans Steve and Nancy Fowler. Steve is formerly the President of 3D0 Europe and Nancy is formerly the Vice President of Worldwide Licensing for Viacom Consumer Products and President of DIC Entertainment Consumer Products Division. www.thelicensingshop.com
For more information, please contact:
Molly Ray | Manager of Communications, marblemedia | 416.646.2711 ext. 232 | molly@marblemedia.com
marblemedia Announces Acquisition of Distribution360
May 27, 2013 (Toronto, Canada) – Leading content creator marblemedia announced today that it has reached an agreement in principle to acquire Distribution360, a forward-thinking international distribution company which focuses on sales to both traditional and emerging platforms. The transaction is expected to close later this year.
“We look forward to expanding our product offering and fully integrating our distribution arm under the marblemedia umbrella,” said Mark Bishop, Co-CEO/Executive Producer, marblemedia and Founding Partner, D360. “With recent additions to our library such as Cuppa Coffee Studios, we remain committed to growing our library with like-minded third party producers to represent their content for international broadcast and digital platforms.”
Co-founded in 2010 by marblemedia and SEVEN24 Films, D360 has grown rapidly through the worldwide sales of key properties such as Puppy SOS, Splatalot and Olive the Ostrich. Moving forward, SEVEN24 executives and D360 Co-Founders Tom Cox and Jordy Randall will continue to act as strategic advisors. D360 will also handle distribution for key SEVEN24 projects including Dark Horse, a live-action drama currently being co-developed by both marblemedia and SEVEN24. The two companies are actively co-developing new projects in both the kids and prime-time spaces which will be distributed by Distribution360.
Renae Garcia, Director U.S. Acquisitions for marblemedia (Los Angeles), will be overseeing acquisitions in the United States, while all other international transactions will be overseen by D360’s Senior Sales Executive Kirsten Hurd who is based out of the company’s Toronto office.
Distribution360 is a forward-thinking distribution company that focuses on traditional media sales, while actively pursuing growth in the digital space. Its mandate is the full monetization of television and interactive content on traditional and emerging platforms worldwide, with a focus on kids, drama and factual programming. www.distribution360.com
marblemedia develops, produces and distributes engaging multiplatform entertainment experiences for audiences around the world. Named Transmedia Producer of the Year (2011) by Playback, marble has won two Gemini Awards, been nominated for an Emmy® Award and was identified as a Next Generation Content Producer (2009) by The Hollywood Reporter. The company owns a 50-acre production ranch and operates a Toronto-based studio, home to 50 staff. With nearly 200 hours of programming distributed in more than 200 territories, notable projects include the award-winning hit preschool series This is Daniel Cook and This is Emily Yeung; the award-winning series Taste Buds;Skatoony, North America’s first animated/live-action quiz show; the animated comedy Dating Guy; the teen competition series The Adrenaline Project; the physical game show Splatalot; What’s in a Name, a discovery of the history behind popular household names; and the first multiplatform series in American Sign Language, deafplanet.com. The company was co-founded by Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg in 2001. Experience marblemedia at www.marblemedia.com.
For more information, please contact:
Molly Ray | Manager of Communications, marblemedia | 416.646.2711 ext. 232 |molly@marblemedia.com
marblemedia Expands U.S. Presence
May 22, 2013 (Toronto, Canada) – Award-winning content creator marblemedia has expanded its U.S. presence with the hiring of Los Angeles based development executive Renae Garcia as Director, U.S. Development and Acquisitions. Renae will report directly to Co-CEO and Executive Producer, Matt Hornburg, who currently shares his time between the company’s head office in Toronto and Los Angeles.
“As our development slate broadens into the prime-time scripted space, expanding our presence in L.A. is a natural next step,” said Matt Hornburg, Co-CEO and Executive Producer, marblemedia. “Renae has a real talent for spotting smart, original ideas and content trends. Her expertise and experience will be a tremendous asset as we continue to work with new writers, creators and show runners.”
With over a decade of experience in the entertainment industry, Renae recognizes the importance of a highly strategic approach to the creation, acquisition and distribution of linear and non-linear content. Renae held the position of Director, Acquisitions and Development at FremantleMedia where she was part of the team that launched their scripted division. Prior to that, she was Director, Acquisitions and Development at Alchemy Television. She began her career at ICM and CAA talent agencies.
Renae will be joining her marblemedia colleagues at the Banff World Media Festival where she will be actively looking for new development opportunities as well as acquisitions for the company’s distribution slate.
marblemedia develops, produces and distributes engaging multi-platform entertainment experiences for audiences around the world. Named Transmedia Producer of the Year (2011) by Playback, marble has won two Gemini Awards, been nominated for an Emmy® Award and was identified as a Next Generation Content Producer (2009) by The Hollywood Reporter. The company owns a 50-acre production ranch and operates a Toronto-based studio, home to 50 staff. With nearly 200 hours of programming distributed in more than 200 territories, notable projects include the award-winning hit preschool series This is Daniel Cook and This is Emily Yeung; the award-winning series Taste Buds; Skatoony, North America’s first animated/live-action quiz show; the animated comedy Dating Guy; the teen competition series The Adrenaline Project; the physical game show Splatalot; What’s in a Name, a discovery of the history behind popular household names; and the first multi-platform series in American Sign Language, deafplanet.com. The company was co-founded by Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg in 2001. Experience marblemedia at www.marblemedia.com.
For more information, please contact:
Molly Ray | Manager of Communications, marblemedia | +1 416.646.2711 ext. 232 | molly@marblemedia.com
Find a Project Enter Project Name marblemedia Gets the Greenlight to Produce New Japanese Game Show JAPANIZI: Going, Going, Gong!
Adaptation of I Survived a Japanese Game Show Scheduled to Broadcast on YTV, Disney XD and VRAK TV
April 9, 2013 (Toronto, Canada) – It’s a Japanese entertainment invasion! Leading content creatormarblemedia, Canadian family broadcaster YTV, cable-channel multi-platform brand Disney XD and Canadian French language network VRAK TV have partnered to bring kids and families worldwide a crazy and colourful Japanese game show – JAPANIZI: Going, Going, Gong!
"The Japanese game show genre is inherently random and frenetic, loaded with physical humour that is sure to entertain families," said Matt Hornburg, Co-CEO and Executive Producer, marblemedia. "A comedy at heart, JAPANIZI: Going, Going, Gong! is a fish-out-of-water experience of kids competing in a unfamiliar world full of wildly entertaining slapstick mayhem.”
“YTV is excited to pick up JAPANIZI: Going, Going, Gong! as it fits perfectly with our co-view strategy, which is to offer fun, comedic, participatory and crazy programming,” said Jocelyn Hamilton, Vice President, Original Programming, Kids, Comedy, Drama. “YTV is the #1 co-view network and a zany show like this can be enjoyed by parents and kids of all ages at any time of the day. Viewers won’t be able to keep their eyes off the screen as surprises will be around every corner.”
In this adaptation of the popular series I Survived a Japanese Game Show -- which was created by David Sidebotham with formatting rights licensed by Small World IFT -- audiences will experience the zany world of Japanese game show culture complete with conveyor belts, dizzy chairs, giant fans and Velcro walls.
JAPANIZI: Going, Going, Gong! features three elimination rounds to present one final winner. All 40 half-hour episodes will feature four teams of two contestants who are dropped into a world filled with crazy costumes, physical gags, over-the-top stunts and wild characters.
Audiences at home will immerse themselves in this manic world first hand through an extensive interactive website complete with a second screen experience mobile app.
JAPANIZI: Going, Going, Gong! will make its world premiere in Canada on YTV in Fall 2013.
The show will make its debut in the U.S. on Disney XD in Fall 2013 and will launch in 2014 on Disney Channels in Europe, Middle East, Africa and parts of Asia Pacific, including Australia, India and South East Asia territories through an agreement with Distribution 360 (D360), a marblemedia company.
D360 will handle distribution across all media in all other territories worldwide. The company is also looking for partners to expand this brand through licensing and merchandising.
marblemedia develops, produces and distributes engaging multi-platform entertainment experiences for audiences around the world. Named Transmedia Producer of the Year (2011) by Playback, marble has won two Gemini Awards, been nominated for an Emmy® Award and was identified as a Next Generation Content Producer (2009) by The Hollywood Reporter. The company owns a 50-acre production ranch and operates a Toronto-based studio, home to 50 staff. With nearly 200 hours of programming distributed in more than 200 territories, notable projects include the award-winning hit preschool series This is Daniel Cook and This is Emily Yeung; the award-winning series Taste Buds;Skatoony, North America’s first animated/live-action quiz show; the animated comedy Dating Guy; the teen competition series The Adrenaline Project; the physical game show Splatalot; What’s in a Name, a discovery of the history behind popular household names; and the first multi-platform series in American Sign Language, deafplanet.com. The company was co-founded by Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg in 2001. Experience marblemedia at www.marblemedia.com.
Seen in over 9 million homes across Canada, YTV is a leading entertainment brand for kids. YTV offers quality entertainment for kids and families with hit series, teen comedies, blockbuster movies and original Canadian programming. YTV reaches its viewers online at YTV.com and in local communities with the traveling road show WOW!.
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For more information, please contact:
Molly Ray | Manager of Communications, marblemedia | 416.646.2711 ext. 232 |molly@marblemedia.com
Netta Rondinelli | Manager of Communications, Corus Entertainment | 416.479.6443 |netta.rondinelli@corusent.com
Distribution360 Adds Cuppa Coffee Studios Library of Content to its Roster
marblemedia to Co-Develop Upcoming Projects with Cuppa Coffee Studios.
(April 3, 2013 – Toronto, Canada) Distribution360, a marblemedia company with a focus on sales to both traditional and emerging platforms, is getting geared up for MIPTV by adding a new library of award-winning animated content produced by Cuppa Coffee Studios to its slate. Moving forward, the companies will also collaborate to co-develop new projects.
"I am thrilled that Cuppa Coffee Studios is partnering with D360 and representing our classic properties,” said Adam Shaheen, President and Executive Producer, Cuppa Coffee Studios. “Having known marblemedia for many years, we are excited to announce this creative collaboration to also develop and produce together in the future – with both parties bringing award-winning content and unique skills to the table.”
“By adding Cuppa Coffee Studios’ content to our offering, this reflects our commitment to continue to provide new and existing buyers with high-quality programming,” said Mark Bishop, Managing Partner, D360 and Co-CEO and Executive Producer, marblemedia. “This partnership represents an exciting next step in our goal to partner with like-minded producers to co-develop and co-produce content for broadcast and digital platforms.”
Bruno and the Banana Bunch (26 x 11 minutes or 50 x 1 minute)
Join Bruno and the Banana Bunch as they embark upon exciting adventures and invent imaginative games full of colours, numbers, shapes and sizes. The gang even learns a few life lessons along the way. Produced by Cuppa Coffee Studios, this Flash animated preschool series is based on the award-winning international hit property Bruno.
This series stars the voice of Brian Cant, a classic English actor, television presenter and writer best known for his work on some of BBC’s most popular television series for children.
Awards include: Stuttgart Festival of Animated Film – Official Selection, Elan Awards – Best Musical Score, The Banff Rockie Awards – Hors Concours, Sprockets International Film Festival – Official Selection.
Life’s a Zoo (20 x 22 minutes)
Take seven animals, lock them in a mansion, add elements of all your favourite reality shows and watch the fur and feathers fly, as they are filmed twenty-four-seven. That is the premise of Life's a Zoo, which sees a group of unscrupulous animals plotting and scheming in a desperate bid to become Top of the Food Chain.
Co-produced with TELETOON, Life’s a Zoo won a Gemini Award in the category Best Animated Program or Series and was a Banff Rockie Award finalist in the Best Animation and Music categories.
Tigga and Togga (26 x 3 minutes)
Imagine a world where every object has a sound waiting to be discovered and every creature has a song. Featuring a dazzling array of musical concepts and styles, Tigga and Togga become the conductors of a veritable symphony of sound exploring, creating and sharing in the music that makes their world go round.
Co-produced with TVO Kids, this Flash animated series won Gold at the BDA Awards in the category of Best Interactive Media Flash Website.
A Very Barry Christmas (1 x 45 minutes)
When laid-back Australian Barry Buckley's sure-fire business venture fails to ignite, a chain reaction of events causes a catastrophic chance at meeting with Santa. Before you can say, Winter Wonder Down Under, the two have unwittingly traded lives in a Christmas mix-up of epic proportions.
Co-produced with ABC Family and CBC, A Very Barry Christmas won Best TV Special at the Cartoons on the Bay/Pulcinella Awards?and was nominated in the category of Best Animated Program at The Banff Rockie Awards. This Stop Motion comedy stars Scottish-born Canadian actor Colin Mochrie (Comedy Bar, Little Mosque on the Prairie).
For sales inquiries or to set up a meeting during MIPTV, please contact Senior Sales Executive Kirsten Hurd at kirsten@distribution360.com.
Distribution360 is a forward-thinking distribution company that focuses on traditional media sales, while actively pursuing growth in the digital space. Its mandate is the full monetization of television and interactive content on traditional and emerging platforms worldwide, with a focus on kids, drama and factual programming. www.distribution360.com
Adam Shaheen founded Cuppa Coffee Studios 21 years ago and is now the largest full-service stop-motion television facility in the world with a newly expanded 2D Flash department. Producing on average three new series a year and is now in development on several feature films. The studio has won over 150 awards and redefined the art of production from both the creative and logistical perspective. Also added is Saucer Sound, a brand new top-quality sound recording and mix studio rounding out the truly all in house facility of its kind in Canada. www.cuppacoffee.com
marblemedia, Big Soul Productions and APTN collaborate with Alexander Bar to develop a new animated series SNOW JOE
(March 27, 2013 – Toronto, Canada) Award-winning content creator marblemedia, Big Soul Productions, a leading producer of Aboriginal programming and Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), collaborate with Alexander Bar, creator of the hit series Lunar Jim and Mike the Knight, to develop a new animated preschool series, Snow Joe.
“Through delightful storytelling, Snow Joe provides a wealth of opportunity to celebrate relevant touchstones for First Nations Peoples by inviting a wider global audience to discover a vibrant culture through its engaging characters and themes that are relatable to many cultures today,” said Mark Bishop, Co-CEO and Executive Producer, marblemedia.
Set in the wintery wonderland of Snowflake Peak in the Mackenzie Mountains, all 11-minute episodes of Snow Joe follow Joe, an Aboriginal boy of Dene descent who dreams of becoming a hero – just like the ones in his grandfather’s stories.
With a talent for turning the simplest activities into derring-do fun adventures, Joe and his friends take on all obstacles this world of snow has in store for them by developing their own brand of role-play. Wearing homemade hero gear inspired by their favourite Dene animal heroes marks the transition between hanging out and empowering Joe and his friends – the spirited girl next-door Nina and the reliably accident-prone Buddy – to tap into their unique abilities, all the while respecting their heritage.
“I’m thrilled to be working with such great partners on Snow Joe, a show that promises to inform, inspire and entertain kids everywhere,” said Alexander Bar.
“We are breaking new ground with this show and with our partnership with marblemedia and Alexander Bar. Big Soul is confident that our combined talents will result in a show that is unique, whimsical and universally appealing,” said Laura Milliken, President, Big Soul Productions.
marblemedia’s interactive division will extend the Snow Joe brand online through the development of mobile and online assets. marblemedia’s partner company Distribution360 (www.distribution360.com) will be handling all international television, interactive and format sales for the series.
marblemedia develops, produces and distributes engaging multiplatform entertainment experiences for audiences around the world. Named Transmedia Producer of the Year (2011) by Playback, marble has won two Gemini Awards, been nominated for an Emmy® Award and was identified as a Next Generation Content Producer (2009) by The Hollywood Reporter. The company owns a 50-acre production ranch and operates a Toronto-based studio, home to 50 staff. With nearly 200 hours of programming distributed in more than 200 territories, notable projects include the award-winning hit preschool series This is Daniel Cook and This is Emily Yeung; the award-winning series Taste Buds; Skatoony, North America’s first animated/live-action quiz show; the animated comedy Dating Guy; the teen competition series The Adrenaline Project; the physical game show Splatalot; What’s in a Name, a discovery of the history behind popular household names; and the first multiplatform series in American Sign Language, deafplanet.com. The company was co-founded by Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg in 2001. Experience marblemedia at www.marblemedia.com.
Big Soul Productions Inc. is a 14-year-old award-winning, Aboriginal-owned and operated television and film production company based in Toronto. Co-founder, Laura J. Milliken serves as President and CEO of the company and was Co-creator and Showrunner for Moccasin Flats, a series that earned the company a Gemini Award nomination for Best Dramatic Series in 2006. Big Soul develops and produces original television and film content, such as By The Rapids, a comedy animation series produced entirely in Big Soul’s in-house animation department for four seasons. Big Soul also boasts an impressive array of digital image capturing gear and post-production facilities through which they produce music videos, industrials, corporate productions, commercials and public service announcements. Currently, Big Soul is producing it’s first music and performance series entitled “The Guilt Free Zone” and developing its highly anticipated one-hour drama series, “The North End”.
About APTN: September 1, 2012, marked the 13-year anniversary of the launch of the first national Aboriginal television network in the world with programming by, for and about Aboriginal Peoples to share with all Canadians and viewers around the world. APTN is available in approximately 10 million Canadian households and commercial establishments with cable, direct-to-home satellite, telco-delivered and fixed wireless television service providers. The network launched its high definition channel, APTN HD, in the spring of 2008. APTN does not receive government funding for operations but generates revenue through subscriber fees, advertising sales and strategic partnerships. APTN broadcasts programming with 56% offered in English, 16% in French and 28% in Aboriginal languages. For program schedule or for more information, please contact APTN at (204) 947-9331 or toll-free at 1-888-278-8862, or visit the website at www.aptn.ca.
John Barrack Joins marblemedia as Strategic Counsel
March 4, 2013 (Toronto, ON) – Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg, Co-CEOs and Executive Producers of marblemedia, a leading content creation company, are pleased to announce that John Barrack, former Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer of the Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) has signed on as Strategic Counsel for the company effective immediately.
In this newly created role, Barrack will be working closely with marblemedia’s senior management team with a focus on expanding marble’s international sales and distribution arm, co-productions and new business ventures. Barrack holds extensive experience as an entrepreneur and lawyer who brings his expertise as a chief negotiator, dealmaker and trouble shooter to the marblemedia team.
Prior to serving the CMPA as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer from 2009-2012, Barrack acted as Chief Negotiator for the CMPA in its terms of trade, finalizing key deals with all of Canada’s major private English language broadcasters. He also lead all of the CMPA’s negotiations with the talent and technical unions, in Canada’s film, television and interactive media sector.
In 2001, Barrack founded and for ten years co-chaired an international symposium on labour law and copyright issues in the film and television sector, which continues to be held each year during the Cannes Film Festival.
Barrack has served on the Board of Shelternet for abused women, FIAPF; the international producer association, the Canadian Retransmission Collective (CRC) and ISAN Canada.
For a downloadable headshot, click here.
marblemedia develops, produces and distributes engaging multiplatform entertainment experiences for audiences around the world. Named Transmedia Producer of the Year (2011) by Playback, marble has won two Gemini Awards, been nominated for an Emmy® Award and was identified as a Next Generation Content Producer (2009) by The Hollywood Reporter. The company owns a 50-acre production ranch and operates a Toronto-based studio, home to 50 staff. With nearly 200 hours of programming distributed in more than 200 territories, notable projects include the award-winning hit preschool series This is Daniel Cook and This is Emily Yeung; the award-winning series Taste Buds;Skatoony, North America’s first animated/live-action quiz show; the animated comedy Dating Guy; the teen competition series The Adrenaline Project; the physical game show Splatalot; What’s in a Name, a discovery of the history behind popular household names; and the first multiplatform series in American Sign Language, deafplanet.com. The company was co-founded by Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg in 2001. Experience marblemedia at www.marblemedia.com.
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For more information, please contact:
Molly Ray | Manager of Communications, marblemedia | 416.646.2711 ext. 232 |molly@marblemedia.com
www.facebook.com/marblemedia or @marblemedia
World Summit Award Winner deafplanet.com Recognized by the United Nations as The Best of The Best WSIS +10 Champion
marblemedia, a leading content creator, in partnership with the Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf, an award-winning creator of Deaf heritage resources, are privileged to announcedeafplanet.com, the first television series and website in American Sign Language, was honoured as a United Nations’ WSIS +10 Champion by the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) at the UNESCO headquarters Paris today.
As the only Canadian recipient selected and one of eight projects among 200 past World Summit Award (WSA) winners, marblemedia’s Co-CEO and Executive Producer Mark Bishop accepted the award at today’s UN WSIS +10 gala for which deafplanet.com received international applause in the category of e-Inclusion and Participation.
“We are truly honoured to receive this important international distinction on such a meaningful project, deafplanet.com,” said Mark Bishop, Co-CEO and Executive Producer, marblemedia. “We feel especially proud to be in the company of such a world class group of digital media projects which have made such a positive impact on so many people around the globe.”
Launched in 2002, deafplanet.com is available in 4 languages, two sign (American Sign Language and Langue des Signes Quebecoise), English and French. The website is a visually rich environment with extensive video including sign language video-based glossaries, a suite of dynamic educational game and activities (in the areas of science and math) and a range of interactive learning tools such as the sign language cursor (which translates any written text on screen into animated sign language for the user). The project has received numerous accolades over the years, spun off into an education television series of the same name, co-produced by TVO, and continues to be a great resource and a popular destination for children.
Since its inception in 2003 in the frameworks of the United Nations’ World Summit on the Information Society, the World Summit Award has been committed to promoting the world’s best e-Content as well as most innovative information and communications technology applications.
marblemedia develops, produces and distributes engaging multiplatform entertainment experiences for audiences around the world. Named Transmedia Producer of the Year (2011) by Playback, marble has won two Gemini Awards, been nominated for an Emmy® Award and was identified as a Next Generation Content Producer (2009) by The Hollywood Reporter. The company owns a 50-acre production ranch and operates a Toronto-based studio, home to 50 staff. With nearly 200 hours of programming distributed in more than 200 territories, notable projects include the award-winning hit preschool series This is Daniel Cook and This is Emily Yeung; the award-winning series Taste Buds;Skatoony, North America’s first animated/live-action quiz show; the animated comedy Dating Guy; the teen competition series The Adrenaline Project; the physical game show Splatalot; What’s in a Name, a discovery of the history behind popular household names; and the first multiplatform series in American Sign Language, deafplanet.com. The company was co-founded by Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg in 2001. Experience marblemedia at www.marblemedia.com.
The Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf (CCSD) founded in 1973 is the only national non-profit organization representing the cultural interests of Deaf Canadians. CCSD promotes better understanding between Deaf and hearing adults and children and promotes literacy for Deaf children through its Deaf heritage award-winning resources and programs. CCSD is the Our Choice Award winner for best children’s literature for River of Hands (2000), University of Alberta Press multiple award winner for the Canadian Dictionary of ASL (2002), Gemini award nominee (2004, 2005) and NHK Japan Prize grand finalist for deafplanet.com. CCSD is recent recipient of the W3 Gold Award (2012) for aslphabet.com the first animated signing dictionary for kids, produced in collaboration with award-winning Deaf animator Braam Jordaan and marblemedia. The DEAF CULTURE CENTRE, an award-winning project of CCSD, celebrates Deaf life, featuring a museum, art gallery, gift shop, archives, and multimedia productions. Co-Directors Joanne Cripps and Anita Small co-founded the DEAF CULTURE CENTRE and are co-creators of CCSD’S Deaf heritage resources since 1998. Visit CCSD’s virtual museum at www.deafculturecentre.ca or email info@deafculturecentre.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Molly Ray | Manager of Communications, marblemedia | 416.646.2711 ext. 232 |molly@marblemedia.com