YTV Prescribes a Dose of Mystery with New Teen Drama Series Open Heart
(December 9, 2014 – Toronto, Canada) Corus Entertainment’s YTV will kick off the New Year with an exciting new drama series, Open Heart, produced by Epitome Pictures in association with marblemedia. Open Heart is a gripping mystery series, folded into a sprawling family saga, set against the high-stakes workplace drama of a hospital. At the centre of the story is Dylan Blake, the rebellious daughter of a fractured family of doctors, who uses her stint as a youth hospital volunteer to secretly investigate the mysterious disappearance of her father. The 12 x 30-minute series premieres Tuesday, January 20 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on YTV and will also debut day-and-date in the U.S. on TeenNick. For a sneak peek of the series, visit www.open-heart.com.
“YTV is witnessing a strong desire from teens who want to participate in the same serialized, high-stakes dramas that adults are currently enjoying, but with content that speaks to them; “Open Heart” is the perfect series to bring this to life on YTV,” said Jamie Piekarz, Director of Content, Corus Kids. “With the production team behind Degrassi and a stellar cast, Open Heart offers our teen fans a thrilling story to tune into every week with the added bonus of taking viewers beyond each episode and into Dylan’s world through engaging digital content.”
In the wake of her father’s disappearance, 16-year-old Dylan Blake falls in with the wrong crowd, gets arrested, and earns court-ordered community service volunteering at Open Heart Memorial, the hospital where her mother and sister are doctors and where her grandparents are board members. All Dylan has to do is follow the rules. But the hospital is the last place Richard was seen alive, and while most think it’s a straight up case of abandonment, Dylan doesn’t believe it. Something bad happened to her father, if she can only prove it. Putting her old delinquent skills back into service, Dylan and her new friends, the bright and gossipy Mikayla and the handsome charmer Wes, begin a covert investigation into her dad's disappearance, unearthing a trail of clues that lead them to some very unexpected places.
“In addition to being part of Dylan’s adventures on television each week, fans will also get to join her in the digital world, following her every step of the way and in real time,” said executive producer, show-runner and writer Ramona Barckert. “The best part? No waiting between episodes for more content - the Open Heart experience happens all week long. I've never seen anything like this before. It's really cool!”
Exciting newcomer Karis Cameron (Signed, Sealed, Delivered; The Haunting Hour) stars as Dylan Blake with the series also starring Tori Anderson (The L.A. Complex, Warehouse 13, Flashpoint),Justin Kelly (Degrassi, Lost Girl, Latest Buzz), Cristine Prosperi (Degrassi, Nicky Deuce), Kevin McGarry (Being Erica, Saw 7), Patrick Kwok-Choon (Nikita, Rookie Blue, Being Erica), Jenny Cooper (Hemlock Grove, Scandal, NCIS, C.S.I. Miami, 24), Demore Barnes (Hemlock Grove, The Listener, Flashpoint), Jeff Douglas (Lost Girl, Rookie Blue), Elena Juatco (Repo! The Genetic Opera, Breaking the Rules, Sorority Surrogate), Mena Massoud (King, Combat Hospital, Poser) and Dylan Everett (King, Combat Hospital, Poser).
Viewers can immerse themselves in the narrative with a unique digital component that extends the on-air experience with immediate and exclusive content that places them in the centre of the mystery. The Open Heart: Unlocked! app, launching January 2015 on iOS and Android, invites fans to join the plot during and in-between episodes to keep up with Dylan’s ongoing investigation. The app unlocks Dylan Blake’s phone so viewers can scour her text messages, photo gallery and social media accounts to learn more about her private life and study the clues she collects. The Open Heart website continues the journey with exclusive character confessions and episodic bonus features.
Open Heart is executive produced by Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn, Ramona Barckert, Matt Hornburg and Mark Bishop. Directors are Stefan Brogren and Samir Rehem. Writers include Ramona Barckert, Chris Pozzebon, Scott Oleszkowicz, Brendan Gall, Brendon Yorke and Barbara Haynes. Production Executives for Corus Entertainment are Jamie Piekarz and Chris Bell and for TeenNick, Kim Powers. The series is produced with the financial participation of the Shaw Rocket Fund, the Cogeco Program Development Fund, Bell Fund and RBC Royal Bank.
About Epitome Pictures
Toronto-based Epitome Pictures has produced award-winning youth and family drama for more than 34 years. Its flagship programs, including The Kids Of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High, and the current series, Degrassi: The Next Generation, now known simply as Degrassi, have been honoured with multiple Gemini Awards, Teen Choice Awards, the Television Critics Association Award, The Peabody Award, two International Emmy© Awards and three Primetime Emmy© nominations. Past Epitome series include The L.A. Complex, Instant Star, Riverdale, and Liberty Street. In August 2014, Epitome began production on a new family mystery series, entitled Open Heart, slated for international broadcast in 2015. Epitome Pictures is part of DHX Media Ltd. (TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B).
About marblemedia
marblemedia develops, produces and distributes engaging multiplatform entertainment experiences for audiences around the world. With nearly 250 hours of programming distributed in more than 200 territories, marblemedia has been honoured by Playback Magazine with the 2013 Outstanding Achievement Award, in addition to being named Transmedia Producer of the Year (2011) by the publication. marble has won a Canadian Screen Award, 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, and an L.A. office. The company was co-founded by Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg in 2001. www.marblemedia.com.
About YTV
Celebrating 25 years in television, YTV is a leading cross platform entertainment brand for kids and families. The channel offers quality entertainment with hilarious animated and live-action comedy series, popular Nickelodeon series, blockbuster movies, top-rated original Canadian programming, music, celebrities and the channel's after-school block, The Zone. Through its multiple platforms and exclusive digital and interactive content, YTV is the voice of Canadian youth culture. YTV is owned by Corus Entertainment Inc.
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Follow Corus PR on Twitter @CorusPR
Follow YTV on Twitter @YTVofficial
Follow Open Heart on Twitter @OpenHeart_TV,#OpenHeart
For more information, please contact:
Kate Calder and Cristina Mancini
Corus Entertainment
kate.calder@corusent.com and cristina.mancini@corusent.com
416.479.6319 and 416.479.6334
Iain Christiansen
Director of Talent Relations, Unit Publicist
Epitome Pictures Inc.
Iain Christiansen IChristiansen@epitomepictures.com
416.752.7627
The Jim Henson Company to Debut Live-Action Pre-School Series Hi Opie! at MIP Junior and MIPCOM, for Series and Format Sales
Hollywood, CA (September 8, 2014) -- The Jim Henson Company, a leader in family entertainment for over fifty years, will unveil for the first time at MIP Junior and MIPCOM the new live-action pre-school series, Hi Opie! Produced by marblemedia, in association with The Jim Henson Company, the property is being presented as both a finished English language series (13x30’ or 39x7’) and as an international format. Hi Opie! was developed with TVO and produced in partnership with TVO, City Saskatchewan (Rogers Broadcasting Limited) and Knowledge Network.
Designed for preschoolers, the series stars five-year-old Opie—a puppet custom-built by the experts atJim Henson’s Creature Shop. Opie and his real kid classmates are in their first year of kindergarten—uncertain of what to expect. With each new day, Opie learns more about himself, his friends and his teachers. Each story marks a new chapter in Opie’s personal growth as he participates in, struggles with and inevitably succeeds in kindergarten activities. With the guidance of their teacher, the kids in the TV classroom and at home learn through play—having fun, asking questions, imagining and continuing to be curious. The series premiered on September 1, 2014 on TVO, City Saskatchewan and Knowledge Network.
“By taking ‘Hi Opie!’ into television homes around the world, we are helping to prepare children for school as well as the everyday issues they may encounter,” commented Richard Goldsmith, EVP, Global Distribution and International Consumer Products at The Jim Henson Company, about the unique television series. “Many of our television and digital platform partners are looking for a cost-effective format that can be locally produced and still feature an exceptional and beloved Henson puppet, and we look forward to helping children everywhere to learn and play with Opie.”
“Hi Opie! was a natural collaboration for marblemedia, The Jim Henson Company and our development partner TVO,” said Mark Bishop, Co-CEO and Executive Producer, marblemedia. “With marblemedia’s reputation for creating live-action kids properties, The Jim Henson Company’s talent for creating iconic puppet characters and TVO’s commitment to giving early learners the tools to succeed in school, preschoolers and their parents will be drawn to this inspirational, educational and timeless series.”
The Jim Henson Company will oversee all television, DVD, digital distribution and format rights (other than in Canada, France and Australia, which will be handled by Distribution360, a marblemedia company), as well as all consumer products rights worldwide
marblemedia will launch an extensive interactive component in September at hiopie.com. The online content, hosted by Opie himself, will reinforce the core messages of the brand by offering kids meaningful interactive stories, explanatory environments, as well as activities and games that entertain and deliver important educational takeaways. The website will be available for international licensing.
Hi Opie! is Executive Produced by marblemedia’s Marc Bishop and Matt Hornburg, along with creator and Co-Executive Producer Barbara Slade (Angelina Ballerina and Rugrats). Halle Stanford is the Executive Producer for The Jim Henson Company. Lawrence S. Mirkin (Fraggle Rock) is the Series Producer; Kate Barris (Max & Ruby, Captain Flamingo) is the Executive Story Editor; Lowell Dean of LoloFilm Productions Inc. is Producer/Director; and Phil McCordic is the Series Director. Hi Opie! was developed with TVO and produced in partnership with TVO, City Saskatchewan (Rogers Broadcasting Limited) and Knowledge Network.
For more information and updates, follow @HiOpie_TV or "like" Hi Opie! on Facebook.com/HiOpie.TV and join the conversation with the hashtag #HiOpie.
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 a Canadian Screen Award, two Gemini Awards, has been nominated for an Emmy® Award and was identified as a Next Generation Content Producer by The Hollywood Reporter. With over 250 hours of programming distributed in more than 200 territories, notable projects include: the live-action preschool series Hi Opie!; the comedic Japanese game show Japanizi: Going, Going, Gong!; the award-winning hit preschool series This is Daniel Cook and This is Emily Yeung; and the physical game show Splatalot. The company was co-founded by Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg in 2001 and owns a 50-acre production ranch in addition to operating a Toronto-based studio, home to 50 staff, and an L.A. office.www.marblemedia.com.
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 50 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include the Emmy® nominated Sid the Science Kid, Dinosaur Train, and Pajanimals as well as the new series Doozers, a CG animated preschool series. Features include The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, MirrorMask, and the upcoming Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day, and television productions include Fraggle Rock the sci-fi cult series Farscape, and the reality competition Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Challenge.
With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities, the Company is also home to Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television, theme park and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry’s top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of-the-art and vintage equipment. The Company’s Henson Alternative brand is currently touring “Puppet-Up! - Uncensored,” a live puppet improvisational show. www.henson.com.
TVO is Ontario’s public educational media organization and a trusted source of interactive educational content that informs, inspires and stimulates curiosity and thought. TVO’s vision is to empower people to be engaged citizens of Ontario through educational media. TVO is funded primarily by the Province of Ontario and is a registered charity supported by sponsors and thousands of donors. For more information, visit tvo.org.
City™ television stations in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal and Saskatchewan offer viewers intensely-local, urban-oriented, culturally-diverse television programming. A distinct alternative to other conventional television stations, City engages its viewers with dynamic on-air personalities and delivers an entertaining mix of news, local-interactive formats such as: Breakfast Television and Cityline; as well as local Canadian and US acquired prime time entertainment programming. City is a part of Rogers Broadcasting Limited, a division of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI and NYSE: RCI), which is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. For more information on City stations and programming, visit Citytv.com.
Media Contacts: Michelle Orsi/Carol Holdsworth | 360 Marketing Communications | 1.310.418.6430/1.805.252.1848 | michelle@360-comm.com or carol@360-comm.com
Stephan Petar | marblemedia and Distribution360 | +1 416.646.2711 | stephan-petar@marblemedia.com
TVO gets kids ready for school with Hi Opie!
TORONTO, Aug. 6, 2014 - TVO premieres new children's series Hi Opie!, about a 5-year-old who navigates his way through the struggles and successes of kindergarten for the first time. Hi Opie! is a TVO developed live-action series, teaching preschoolers kindergarten readiness skills, helping to ease their transition from home to school.
The show features Opie, a custom-built puppet created by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, as he interacts with new real kid friends, gets to know his teachers and discovers a whole new world, all while learning important life lessons.
Targeted to ages 3-5, preschoolers and their families can tune in to watch the sweet and lovable Opie as he overcomes challenges and works toward a positive resolution at school.
In Opie The Special Helper, Opie gets chosen as the classroom's Special Helper and learns about sharing when he forgets to split his responsibilities with another classmate.
Opie's Gotta Go presents a classic kindergarten predicament when Opie doesn't want to miss the lesson on making a glow-in-the-dark comet, but he's really "gotta go".
Special guest appearances by media personality Pay Chen (The Pay Chen Show) and musician Jason Collett (Broken Social Scene) in the episodes, Not Ms. Doney and Opie Rocks, offer great co-viewing experiences for parents to join in on the fun with their kids.
Kids can get a sneak peek of episodes on tvokids.com from August 18-22 and on TVO August 25 at 7 am and 12 pm ET, August 29 at 7 am ET. The series premieres on September 1, 2014 and will air daily Monday to Friday at 10:30 am and 1 pm. In addition to the on-air broadcasts, families can play along with Opie in his virtual interactive classroom at tvokids.com/games/hiopie.
"This fall marks the implementation of Full-Day Kindergarten province-wide and Hi Opie! provides kids the skills they need to make a successful transition into school, for the first time," said Pat Ellingson, Creative Head of Children's & Parents' Media, TVO. "As Opie explores and reaches new goals, he helps role-model the ways in which children can excel in kindergarten and throughout school."
"Kids will love Opie for his enthusiasm, sensitivity, silliness, and insatiable curiosity - all traits that kids recognize in their own experience," said Lawrence S. Mirkin, Series Producer, Hi Opie! "Families will genuinely enjoy sitting down together to watch Opie on his journey."
Hi Opie! was developed in partnership with TVO and is produced by marblemedia in association with The Jim Henson Company. The series will also premiere on September 1, 2014 on City Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan) at 9:00 am CST and on Knowledge Network (British Columbia) at 11:50 am PT. Hi Opie! is produced with the financial participation of the Shaw Rocket Fund, Canada Media Fund and The Bell Fund.
For more information and updates, follow @HiOpie_TV or "like" Hi Opie! on Facebook.com/HiOpie.TVand join the conversation with the hashtag #HiOpie.
About TVOKids
TVOKids exists to help Ontario's 21st-century learners be successful in school and in life. Developed for every kind of young learner and covering virtually all Ontario Curriculum areas for Grades JK-5, TVO-produced children's programs, web activities and mobile apps are built in collaboration with TVO's on-staff educator and classroom-tested to ensure specific educational objectives are met. According to a 2011 Ipsos Reid poll, Ontarians rate TVOKids both the most trusted and most educational children's media brand in Canada. TVOKids airs daily on TVO from 6 am to 7 pm. The award-winning tvokids.com is home to over 170 educational games and TVOKids offers a growing inventory of educational mobile apps for all platforms.
About TVO
TVO is Ontario's public educational media organization and a trusted source of interactive educational content that informs, inspires and stimulates curiosity and thought. TVO's vision is to empower people to be engaged citizens of Ontario through educational media. TVO is funded primarily by the Province of Ontario and is a registered charity supported by sponsors and thousands of donors. For more information, visit tvo.org.
About marblemedia
marblemedia develops, produces and distributes engaging multiplatform entertainment experiences for audiences around the world. With nearly 250 hours of programming distributed in more than 200 territories, marblemedia has been honoured by Playback Magazine with the 2013 Outstanding Achievement Award, in addition to being named Transmedia Producer of the Year (2011) by the publication. marble has won a Canadian Screen Award, 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. The company was co-founded by Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg in 2001.www.marblemedia.com, @marblemedia and Facebook.com/marblemedia.
For further information:
Media Contacts:
Nicole Morrison
TVO Public Relations Specialist
416.484.2600 x2281
nmorrison@tvo.org
Sarah Etherden
Phoenix PR for marblemedia
416.725.1696
sarahe@phoenixpr.ca
Epitome Pictures Starts Production on Open Heart for YTV and TeenNick, developed in association with marblemedia
Halifax, Los Angeles, London, Toronto, Vancouver. (August 5, 2014) Three-time Emmy®-nominated production company Epitome Pictures (Degrassi, Instant Star, The L.A. Complex), a DHX Media company, is starting production today on OPEN HEART a new original teen, live-action drama series. The 12 x 30-minute series was commissioned by YTV and TeenNick and is developed in association with marblemedia.
Exciting newcomer Karis Cameron stars as lead character Dylan Blake with the series also starring Tori Anderson, Justin Kelly, Cristine Prosperi, Kevin McGarry, Patrick Kwok-Choon, Jenny Cooper, Demore Barnes, Jeff Douglas, Elena Juatco, Mena Massoud, and Dylan Everett. The family mystery series will shoot this August through October in Toronto. DHX Media will handle worldwide distribution for the show.
Steven DeNure, President and COO of DHX Media said: “DHX Media has a proven track record in creating standout, globally successful live-action shows for the tween and teen demographic. With the addition of Epitome to our group, we have added significant strength in this area and OPEN HEARTpromises to be an exciting, relevant drama of the caliber of Degrassi.”
OPEN HEART is a gripping mystery series, folded into a sprawling family saga, set against the high-stakes workplace and relationship drama of a hospital. Dylan Blake, the rebellious daughter of a fractured family of doctors, uses her stint as a youth hospital volunteer to secretly investigate the mysterious disappearance of her father. OPEN HEART is being produced with the financial participation of the Shaw Rocket Fund, the Cogeco Program Development Fund, Bell Fund and RBC Royal Bank.
The series stars:
Karis Cameron (Signed, Sealed, Delivered; The Haunting Hour) as Dylan Blake, the gutsy and headstrong heroine who is determined to unravel the mystery that plagues the halls of Open Heart Memorial
Tori Anderson (The L.A. Complex, Warehouse 13, Flashpoint) as Dr. London Blake, Dylan’s brainy older sister and first-year resident
Justin Kelly (Degrassi, Lost Girl, Latest Buzz) as Wes Silver, the cool and playful charmer, with a smart mouth that gets him out of trouble just as often as it gets him into it
Cristine Prosperi (Degrassi, Nicky Deuce) as Mikayla Walker, the bright and bubbly ally to Dylan who distracts herself with all the hospital’s social drama
Kevin McGarry (Being Erica) as Dr. Timothy “Hud” Hudson, the first-year medical resident and rugged bad boy of Open Heart Memorial
Patrick Kwok-Choon (Nikita, Rookie Blue, Being Erica) as Seth Park, loveable hipster-nerd lab tech, whose knowledge of biochemistry is exceeded only by his collection of indie novels and ironic t-shirts
Jenny Cooper (Hemlock Grove, Scandal, NCIS, C.S.I. Miami, 24) as Dr. Jane Blake, mother to Dylan and London, and the leading trauma doctor who would rather save lives than deal with her own family affairs
Demore Barnes (Hemlock Grove, The Listener, Flashpoint) as Dr. Dominic Karamichaelidis, the handsome attending emergency physician and resident advisor who doesn't mind being the bad guy if it means saving lives
Elena Juatco (Repo! The Genetic Opera, Breaking the Rules, Sorority Surrogate) as Scarlet, the first-year medical resident, whose stunning beauty often leaves her razor sharp medical skills underestimated by others
Mena Massoud (King, Combat Hospital, Poser) as Jared, the snarky and upfront head of the youth volunteer program who plays by the rules and relishes the marginal authority his position gives him
Dylan Everett (Degrassi, Wingin’ It, The Unauthorized Saved By The Bell Story) as Teddy, Dylan's old friend - a bored rich kid and a very bad influence
“It’s so exciting to be starting production on Epitome’s first new series as part of DHX Media, working with outstanding broadcast partners in both Canada and the U.S.” said executive producer at Epitome Pictures, Linda Schuyler. “I’ve always enjoyed telling stories about the high school experience. WithOPEN HEART, I am looking forward to exploring the drama that can unfold in a completely different environment.”
"For me, OPEN HEART is a dream show, blending together my favorite television genres and following a strong, complicated teen heroine as she finds her place in the world,” said executive producer, show-runner and writer Ramona Barckert. “I’m very excited to introduce everyone to Dylan Blake and all the fun characters that surround her."
"With the popularity of serialized dramas, YTV is thrilled to be adding a new series to our prime-time slate," said Jamie Piekarz, Director of Content, Corus Kids. "OPEN HEART will have our teen viewers on the edge of their seats with mystery, suspense and family drama"
“This brand-new family mystery series is a great way to extend our relationship with Epitome,” said Keith Dawkins, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Nicktoons, TeenNick and Nick Jr. “The team behind Degrassi will now bring our viewers an original storyline and introduce new faces to TeenNick.”
OPEN HEART is executive produced by Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn, Ramona Barckert, Matt Hornburg and Mark Bishop. The series is developed in association with marblemedia, which is also taking the lead in producing a fully integrated interactive digital component to the series. Directors are Stefan Brogren and Samir Rahem. Writers include Ramona Barckert, Chris Pozzebon, Scott Oleszkowicz, Brendan Gall, Brendon Yorke and Barbara Haynes. Production Executives for Corus Entertainment are Jamie Piekarz and Chris Bell and for TeenNick, Kim Powers.
About YTV
Celebrating 25 years in television, YTV is a leading cross platform entertainment brand for kids and families. The channel offers quality entertainment with hilarious animated and live-action comedy series, popular Nickelodeon series, blockbuster movies, top-rated original Canadian programming, music, celebrities and the channel’s after-school block, The Zone. Through its multiple platforms and exclusive digital and interactive content, YTV is the voice of Canadian youth culture. YTV is owned by Corus Entertainment Inc.
AboutTeenNick
TeenNick, Nickelodeon’s 24-hour TV network exclusively for and about teens and tweens, is available in almost 73 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite. Featuring a roster of ever-popular Nick favorites, original programming and award-winning series, the brand presents an authentic teen experience, with all its emotional intensity, energy and humor, across multiple platforms and integrated social media. TeenNick and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).
About Epitome Pictures
A DHX Media company, Toronto-based EPITOME PICTURES has produced award-winning youth and family drama for more than 34 years. Its flagship programs, including The Kids Of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High, and the current series, Degrassi: The Next Generation, now known simply as Degrassi, have been honoured with multiple Gemini Awards, Teen Choice Awards, the Television Critics Association Award, The Peabody Award, two International Emmy© Awards and three Primetime Emmy© nominations. Past Epitome series include The L.A. Complex, Instant Star, Riverdale, and Liberty Street.
About DHX Media
DHX Media Ltd. (www.dhxmedia.com), a leading broadcaster, creator, producer and marketer of family entertainment, is recognized globally for such brands as Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, Teletubbies, In the Night Garden, Inspector Gadget, Johnny Test, and the multi-award winning Degrassi franchise. DHX Media Ltd. is the owner of Family Channel, the most-viewed children's television channel in Canada, as well as Disney Junior (English & French) and Disney XD. The Company markets and distributes its library of more than 10,000 episodes of entertainment programming worldwide, and licenses its owned properties through its dedicated consumer products business. DHX Media Ltd.'s full-service international licensing agency, Copyright Promotions Licensing Group Ltd. (CPLG), represents numerous entertainment, sport and design brands. DHX Media Ltd. has offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Halifax, London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Munich and Amsterdam, and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker DHX.
About marblemedia
marblemedia develops, produces and distributes engaging multiplatform entertainment experiences for audiences around the world. With nearly 250 hours of programming distributed in more than 200 territories, marblemedia has been honoured by Playback Magazine with the 2013 Outstanding Achievement Award, in addition to being named Transmedia Producer of the Year (2011) by the publication. marble has won a Canadian Screen Award, 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. The company was co-founded by Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg in 2001.www.marblemedia.com
For further information, please contact:
North American Media:
Iain Christiansen
Director of Talent Relations & Unit Publicist - Epitome Pictures Inc.
416.752.7627 (o) - 647.338.4590 (m)
ichristiansen@epitomepictures.com
International Media:
Aimee Norman at DDA Blueprint PR for DHX Media +44 (0) 20 8985 4708 oraimee@ddablueprint.com
marblemedia Announces Development Partnership with Cirque du Soleil Media
Banff, Alberta (June 9, 2014) – Hot on the heels of marblemedia’s primetime expansion announcement, the Canadian leader in cross-platform production and Cirque du Soleil Média, a joint venture between the world-renowned Québec-based Cirque du Soleil and Bell Media, have announced at the Banff World Media Festival a development deal which will see the two companies develop three projects including a mini-series, a one hour drama and a live-television musical event.
Building its values on a foundation of audacity, creativity and imagination, Cirque du Soleil is known internationally for its captivating and high quality entertainment experiences. In this partnership, Cirque du Soleil Média and marblemedia will work together to develop properties for television that extend the Cirque du Soleil brand beyond their one-of-a-kind live show productions.
“This partnership is a natural synergy for two companies who are known internationally for telling stories and reaching audiences in unconventional ways,” said Matthew Hornburg, Co-CEO and Executive Producer, marblemedia. “Leveraging our presence in L.A. and our international contacts, our goal is to find innovative showrunners to help us create characters and worlds that are enchanting, unique and astonishing.”
“We are thrilled to be working with marblemedia on developing these exciting projects, and believe that our distinctive ways of thinking will create everlasting stories that will resonate with audiences worldwide,” said Jacques Méthé, President, Cirque du Soleil Média. “Our goal with this partnership is not to televise our live performances, but rather create properties in the primetime scripted arena that will elevate the genre by drawing from Cirque’s creative vision.”
About marblemedia
marblemedia develops, produces and distributes engaging multiplatform entertainment experiences for audiences around the world. With nearly 200 hours of programming distributed in more than 200 territories, marblemedia has been honoured by Playback with the 2013 Outstanding Achievement Award and named Transmedia Producer of the Year (2011) by Playback, marble has won a Canadian Screen Award, 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. The company was co-founded by Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg in 2001. Experience marblemedia atwww.marblemedia.com.
About Cirque du Soleil Média
Cirque du Soleil Média is a long-term joint venture between Cirque du Soleil and Bell Media with a mission to develop new and original media content specifically for television, film, digital, and gaming platforms. Headquartered in Montreal, the company develops entertainment projects for sale and licensing around the world, leveraging Cirque du Soleil’s creative resources and infrastructure with Bell Media’s production experience, media platforms, and diverse distribution capabilities.
About Bell Media
With passion and an unrelenting commitment to excellence, Bell Media creates content and builds brands that entertain, inform, engage, and inspire audiences through the platforms of their choice. Bell Media is Canada’s premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, out-of-home advertising, and digital media. Bell Media owns 30 local television stations led by CTV, Canada’s #1 television network; 35 specialty channels, including TSN and RDS, Canada’s most-watched specialty channels in English and French; four pay TV services, including The Movie Network and Super Écran; and is managing shareholder of premium pay-per-view service Viewers Choice Canada. Bell Media is also Canada’s largest radio broadcaster, with 107 licensed radio stations in 55 markets across Canada. Bell Media owns Astral Out-of-Home, one of Canada’s most dynamic and innovative out-of-home advertising companies with a network of more than 9,500 advertising faces in Québec, Ontario and British Columbia. Bell Media also operates more than 200 websites, delivers TV Everywhere with its innovative GO video streaming services, including CTV GO, TMN GO, and Bravo GO, and owns Dome Productions Inc., a multi-platform production company. Bell Media is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company. For more on Bell Media, please visit www.bellmedia.ca.
marblemedia Expands its Development Team With Two Newly Created Roles For its Executive Team
Toronto, Canada (May 29, 2014) – Award-winning content creator marblemedia has appointed former Momentum Entertainment Group development executive, Roberto Alcantara, to the newly created role of Vice President, Primetime Scripted Development. The added role will support marblemedia’s ongoing expansion in the primetime development genre.
Reporting to Co-CEO and Executive Producer Matt Hornburg and working out of Los Angeles, Alcantara will execute marblemedia’s strategy of expanding its presence in the primetime-scripted arena. Alcantara will oversee the company’s primetime slate of projects, establish key creative relationships with writers and showrunners as well as continue to grow the company’s profile in Los Angeles with U.S. buyers.
“The addition of Alcantara is a true testament of marblemedia’s growth and investment in the primetime genre,” said Co-CEO and Executive Producer Matt Hornburg. “Alcantara’s strong relationships with both reputable writers and emerging talent, as well as the trust he holds with many of our U.S. partners, will prove to be a tremendous asset in shaping our scripted slate.”
With almost a decade of experience, Alcantara has a vast understanding of the television industry working on the production and development sides of the business. In his previous role at Momentum Entertainment Group, he worked on the company’s scripted drama, comedy and digital development slate, cultivated relationships with writers, agents and network executives as well as developed and packaged their series Full Circle. His background also includes roles at Ostar Enterprises and CAA.
Miklos Perlus, who is responsible for creating, sourcing and developing innovative multi-platform content for television and digital media, has led the success of marblemedia’s kids slate during his six year tenure with the company, including Japanizi: Going, Going, Gong!, Splatalot and Hi Opie! with The Jim Henson Company. In his newly created role as Vice President, Kids and Family, Perlus will continue to focus on the development of marblemedia’s award-winning kids and family content as the company continues its expansion for both domestic series and international co-productions.
Alcantara and Perlus will be joining marblemedia at the Banff World Media Festival where they will be actively looking for new development opportunities.
marblemedia develops, produces and distributes engaging multiplatform entertainment experiences for audiences around the world. With nearly 200 hours of programming distributed in more than 200 territories, marblemedia has been honoured by Playback with the 2013 Outstanding Achievement Award and named Transmedia Producer of the Year (2011) by Playback, marble has won a Canadian Screen Award, 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. The company was co-founded by Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg in 2001. Experience marblemedia atwww.marblemedia.com.
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Etherden | Principal, Phoenix PR | 416.725.1696 | sarah@phoenixpr.ca
Stephan Petar | Coordinator, Marketing and Communications, marblemedia |
416.646.2711 ext.232 | stephan-petar@marblemedia.com
Next Generation Water Park and Event Complex Planned for Greater Toronto Area
A massive indoor/outdoor water park and event complex is being planned for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The $60 million dollar facility is scheduled to begin construction in the spring of 2015 and be fully operational by the fall of 2016. The 100,000 square-foot attraction will feature a retractable roof, allowing it to operate 365 days a year. The development group behind the project, marbleLIVE, is led by Toronto entrepreneur John Barrack and marblemedia, one of Canada’s leading multiplatform content creators. The water park and event complex will fill a significant void in the GTA’s tourism market - a market that before the opening of the Ripley’s Aquarium last fall, had not seen a new attraction established in over 25 years.
“People in the GTA are hungry for new entertainment experiences,” said John Barrack, Managing Partner, marbleLIVE. “We’re going to give them a dynamic year-round attraction that’s part-water-park, part-theme-park and all fun, all the time.”
Mark Bishop, Co-CEO marblemedia said, “This attraction will be far from your typical waterpark. We are going to bring our company’s expertise in digital media and storytelling to create a purpose built digital media experience that will be the first attraction of its kind.”
Barrack and Bishop are in discussion with city officials in Mississauga and Toronto about potential sites. They have also been briefing Ontario’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport about the boost the attraction will have on the tourism industry in the GTA.
Barrack said, “We now have a short-list of three locations. Our final decision will be based on our intricate design and operational needs, as well as visitor accessibility.”
The all-season, indoor/outdoor water park will bring significant employment opportunities to the GTA during the development stages of its creation. Once fully operational, the attraction will employ 230 full-time personnel and expects to attract over half a million visitors within its first year of operation.
In addition to Barrack and Bishop, the development group includes New Jersey-based Jerry Merola of Amusement Entertainment LLC and EFA Partners of New York. marblemedia’s multiplatform content is seen in over 120 countries, with leading broadcast partners worldwide including Disney XD, Nickelodeon, YTV and BBC.
Further details on marbleLIVE, including its final decision on location, design and integration of digital media will be released as they are confirmed. For updates, visit marbleLIVE.com, @marbleLIVETOand Facebook.com/marbleLIVE. Follow our hashtag #GTAWaterpark to join the conversation.
Endorsement:
David Whitaker, President & CEO Tourism Toronto
“marbleLIVE would provide visitors and guests with an additional attraction adding to our industry’s growing list of new, expanded and reinvigorated products.” said David Whitaker – President & CEO of Tourism Toronto. “The combination of a water-themed venue combined with an impressive event space will also give meeting and event planners more options that will help distinguish us as well.”
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Media Contacts:
Erick Bauer
Tel 416.587.4185
erick@thefixersgroup.com
marblemedia's New Live-Action Preschool Series, Hi Opie! Enters Production
There is a new kid in kindergarten! Award-winning content creator marblemedia announced today the start of production on its latest project Hi Opie! The new live-action preschool series is being developed in partnership with TVO, a leader in educational media and is produced by marblemedia. Hi Opie! features a puppet designed and built by The Jim Henson Company, an established worldwide leader in family entertainment, who will handle international distribution for the project. Hi Opie! will premiere on TVO, City Saskatchewan and Knowledge Network later this year. Filming will take place in Toronto, Canada.
Designed for preschoolers, Hi Opie! centers around the social, emotional and intellectual escapades of 5-year-old Opie, a puppet custom-built by the experts at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. Opie and his real kid classmates are in their first year of kindergarten – uncertain of what to expect. With each new day, Opie learns more about himself, his friends and his teachers. Each story marks a new chapter in Opie’s personal growth as he participates in, struggles with and inevitably succeeds in kindergarten activities.
Although each story in Hi Opie! will present a clear and attainable goal, it is the process of learning through play – having fun, asking questions, experimenting with the consequences of one’s actions, persevering through adversity, imagining and of course, continuing to be curious – that leads to Opie’s personal growth.
Executive Producers Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg, along with creator and co-Executive ProducerBarbara Slade (Angelina Ballerina and Rugrats), are working with the series’ Producer Larry Mirkin(Fraggle Rock) and Executive Story Editor Kate Barris (Max & Ruby, Captain Flamingo) to bring Hi Opie! to life. This team will work in collaboration with the broadcast partners, Producer/Director Lowell Dean of Lolofilm Productions Inc., Series Director Phil McCordic and Halle Stanford, who serves as the Executive Producer for The Jim Henson Company.
marblemedia is also in the pre-production stages of an extensive interactive component that will invite preschoolers and their parents into the world of Hi Opie!
The Jim Henson Company will oversee all television, DVD, digital distribution and format rights (other than in Canada, France and Australia, which will be handled by Distribution360 a marblemedia company), as well as all merchandising and licensing rights worldwide.
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 a Canadian Screen Award, 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 comedic Japanese game show Japanizi: Going, Going, Gong; the award-winning hit preschool series This is Daniel Cook and This is Emily Yeung and latest installment This is Scarlett and Isaiah; 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 Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 50 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include the Emmy® nominated Sid the Science Kid, Dinosaur Train, and Pajanimals as well as the new series Doozers, a CG animated preschool series. Features include The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, MirrorMask, and the upcoming Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day and television productions include Fraggle Rock the sci-fi cult series Farscape, and the new reality competition Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Challenge.
With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities, the Company is also home to Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television, theme park and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry’s top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of-the-art and vintage equipment. The Company’s Henson Alternative brand is currently touring “Puppet-Up! - Uncensored,” a live puppet improvisational show.
TVO is Ontario’s public educational media organization and a trusted source of interactive educational content that informs, inspires and stimulates curiosity and thought. TVO’s vision is to empower people to be engaged citizens of Ontario through educational media. TVO is funded primarily by the Province of Ontario and is a registered charity supported by sponsors and thousands of donors. For more information, visit tvo.org.
City™ television stations in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal and Saskatchewan offer viewers intensely-local, urban-oriented, culturally-diverse television programming. A distinct alternative to other conventional television stations, City engages its viewers with dynamic on-air personalities and delivers an entertaining mix of news, local-interactive formats such as: Breakfast Television and Cityline; as well as local Canadian and US acquired prime time entertainment programming. City is a part of Rogers Broadcasting Limited, a division of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI and NYSE: RCI), which is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. For more information on City stations and programming, visit Citytv.com.
For more information and set visits, please contact:
Sarah Etherden | Principal, Phoenix PR | 416.725.1696 | sarahe@phoenixpr.ca
Stephan Petar | Coordinator, Marketing and Communications, marblemedia |
416.646.2711 ext. 232 | stephan-petar@marblemedia.com
Distribution360 Locks Deals Across Multiple International Television and Digital Platforms
(February 18, 2014 – Toronto, Canada) With a focus on sales in both traditional and emerging platforms, marblemedia’s Distribution360 announced today a slew of sales hot off the heels of both the Realscreen and Kidscreen Summits from the company’s Lifestyle/Factual and Kids/Youth catalogues.
D360 has secured sales in the television and digital space for a number of its popular properties including Cake Walk: Wedding Cake Edition, Talent Hounds, all three installments of the This isfranchise and Bruno and the Banana Bunch.
The company has also sold six titles to Learn360, a media-on-demand service that distributes content to educational institutions across North America.
LIFESTYLE AND FACTUAL
CAKE WALK: WEDDING CAKE EDITION (13 x 1 hour episodes)
Hosted by comedian and actress Caroline Rhea (Sabrina the Teenage Witch), this hit high-stakes reality competition series has secured a Pan-Asian deal brokered by Bomanbridge Media along with sales in the United States (Ebru TV), Brazil (Globosat) and Brunei (Brunei TV).
TALENT HOUNDS (1 x 1 hour special and 4 x 30 minute episodes)
Learn360 (North America) has purchased this heartwarming series produced by Hop To It Productions, which investigates the increasing humanization of the dog in the human world.
PUPPY SOS (13 x 30 minute episodes)
Hosted by dog behaviourist and life coach Brad Pattison, D360 has secured a deal of this White Iron Pictures produced series to Foxtel (Australia).
KIDS AND YOUTH
THIS IS SCARLETT AND ISAIAH (56 x 6 minute episodes/13 x 30 minute episodes)
With sales to TVNZ (New Zealand) and Learn360 (North America), the third installment of this massively popular preschool franchise, produced by Sinking Ship Entertainment and marblemedia, follows two bubbly six-year-old hosts as they fearlessly explore the world around them.
BRUNO AND THE BANANA BUNCH (26 x 11 minute episodes/50 x 1 minute episodes)
QMI Contents for TVA’s SVOD kids service (French Canada), TrueVisions (Thailand) and whyj contents (Korea) have purchased this flash animated preschool series produced by Cuppa Coffee Studios. Bruno and his friends the Banana Bunch invent imaginative games full of colours, numbers, shapes and sizes.
TIGGA AND TOGGA (26 x 3 minute episodes)
Produced by Cuppa Coffee Studios and TVOKids, Tigga and Togga invites children on a musical journey with a dazzling array of musical concepts and styles. D360 has sold this animated preschool property to Hop! (Israel) and TrueVisions (Thailand).
SPLATALOT (52 x 30 minute episodes)
With sales in over 120 countries worldwide, as well as four localized and nine dubbed versions, each episode follows 10 thrill-seeking teen contestants, dubbed Attackers, as they compete against each other and the castles Defenders to capture the crown of Splatalot.
Following a successful first season, Ypsilon Films (Spain) has purchased Season 2 of this hit physical game show produced by marblemedia in association with YTV (Canada), CBBC (United Kingdom) and ABC3 (Australia).
SKATOONY (39 x 30 minute episodes in English/French)
With sales to the online platform Viddiverse (United States) and Learn360 (North America), this animated live-action comedy series, produced by marblemedia in association with TELETOON(Canada), pits tweens and cartoons against each other in a frantic trivia-based competition.
THIS IS EMILY YEUNG (65 x 6 minute episodes/2 x 30 minute specials)
With sales to Ameba (North America), SpiritClips (North America) and Learn360 (North America) viewers can laugh and smile with Emily Yeung as she learns about the world from an array of special guests in the second installment of this Sinking Ship Entertainment and marblemedia produced franchise.
THIS IS DANIEL COOK (131 x 6 minute episodes/26 x 30 minute episodes)
Produced by Sinking Ship Entertainment and marblemedia, This is Daniel Cook is an empowering live-action preschool series where viewers learn and create with Daniel on his many adventures. D360 has secured sales with batteryPOP (North America) through an agreement with VideoElephant, SpiritClips (North America) and Learn360 (North America).
DEAFPLANET.COM (20 x 6 minute mixed media episodes)
Uniting both Deaf and hearing-enabled kids into a world of learning and discovery this unique property, produced by marblemedia in association with the Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf has been sold to Learn360 (North America).
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:
Mary Powers | 416-767-8692 | mpowers@mpowers.ca
Stephan Petar | 416-646-2711 ext. 232 | stephan-petar@marblemedia.com
marblemedia and The Jim Henson Company Team Up On New Live Action Preschool Series Hi Opie!
Award-winning content creator marblemedia and The Jim Henson Company, an established worldwide leader in family entertainment, have partnered on a new live-action preschool series Hi Opie! created by Barbara Slade (Angelina Ballerina, Rugrats) and is scheduled to premiere later this year on TVOKids, City Saskatchewan and Knowledge Network.
With casting and writing commencing now, Hi Opie! is scheduled to begin production of 13 x 30 minute episodes (39 x 7 minutes) in March. Distribution360, a marblemedia company, will share television, DVD and digital distribution with The Jim Henson Company who will also oversee format rights, as well as all merchandising and licensing rights worldwide.
There is a new kid in kindergarten! It’s your new puppet friend Opie! Targeted to Kids 2 ½ to 5 years old, Hi Opie! centers around the social emotional and intellectual escapades of 5 year old Opie, a puppet custom built by the experts of Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. Opie and his real kid classmates are in their first year of all-day kindergarten – uncertain just what to expect. With each new day, Opie learns more about himself, his friends and his two teachers. Each story marks a new chapter in Opie’s personal growth as he participates in, struggles with and inevitably succeeds in kindergarten activities.
Although each story in Hi Opie! will present a clear and attainable goal, it is the process of learning through play – having fun, asking questions, experimenting with the consequences of one’s actions, persevering through adversity, imagining, and, of course, continuing to be curious – that leads to Opie’s personal growth.
“The Jim Henson Company’s rich history of creating emotional, life-changing, memorable entertaining experiences for audiences, including myself, is unmatched – working together with their team to bring another puppet into the lives of kids is a dream come true for marblemedia,” said Mark Bishop, Co-CEO and Executive Producer, marblemedia.
“Transitioning from preschool to kindergarten can be challenging to young children and Hi Opie! can be a great tool for kids to learn how to negotiate through this new and exciting world,” said Lisa Henson, CEO of The Jim Henson Company. “Also, watching Opie’s experiences in kindergarten can encourage viewers to get excited to attend school, setting the foundation for a lifetime love of learning.”
“We’re thrilled to be working with The Jim Henson Company and marblemedia to bring Hi Opie! to Ontario audiences,” says Patricia Ellingson, TVO’s Creative Head of Children’s and Parents’ Media. “TVO is committed to helping give early learners the tools to succeed in school and a program like Hi Opie! is a wonderful example of modeling the ways in which they can excel in Kindergarten.”
Executive Producers Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg, along with creator and co-Executive ProducerBarbara Slade (Angelina Ballerina and Rugrats), are working with the series’ Producer Larry Mirkin(Fraggle Rock) and Executive Story Editor Kate Barris (Max & Ruby, Captain Flamingo) to bring Hi Opie! to life. This team will work in collaboration with the broadcast partners, Producer/Director Lowell Dean of Lolofilm Productions Inc., Series Director Phil McCordic and Halle Stanford, who serves as the Executive Producer for The Jim Henson Company.
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 comedic Japanese game show Japanizi: Going, Going, Gong; the award-winning hit preschool series This is Daniel Cook and This is Emily Yeung and latest installment This is Scarlett and Isaiah; 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 Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 50 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include the Emmy® nominated Sid the Science Kid,Dinosaur Train, and Pajanimals as well as the new series Doozers, a CG animated preschool series. Features include The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, MirrorMask, and the upcoming Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day and television productions include Fraggle Rock and the sci-fi cult series Farscape.
With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities. Independently owned and operated by the five adult children of founder Jim Henson, the Company is also home to Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television, theme park and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry’s top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of-the-art and vintage equipment. The Company’s Henson Alternative brand is currently touring “Puppet-Up! - Uncensored,” a live puppet improvisational show.
TVO is Ontario’s public educational media organization and a trusted source of interactive educational content that informs, inspires and stimulates curiosity and thought. TVO’s vision is to empower people to be engaged citizens of Ontario through educational media. TVO is funded primarily by the Province of Ontario and is a registered charity supported by sponsors and thousands of donors. For more information, visit tvo.org.
About City
City™ television stations in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal and Saskatchewan offer viewers intensely-local, urban-oriented, culturally-diverse television programming. A distinct alternative to other conventional television stations, City engages its viewers with dynamic on-air personalities and delivers an entertaining mix of news, local-interactive formats such as: Breakfast Television and Cityline; as well as local Canadian and US acquired prime time entertainment programming. City is a part of Rogers Broadcasting Limited, a division of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI and NYSE: RCI) which is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. For more information on City stations and programming, visit Citytv.com.
For more information, please contact:
Molly Ray, Director of Marketing and Communications | 416-646-2711 ext. 232 |