MARBLEMEDIA EXPANDS INTO EMERGING PLATFORMS WITH GOOGLE HOME
TORONTO, CANADA (December 6, 2018) - marblemedia, a global, award-winning production company focused on delivering premium and engaging content, brings family celebrations and bonding opportunities to fans around the world with the launch of the Just Like Mom and Dad voice command game created for Google Home.
Google Home is a voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant that offers real-time voice command actions and capabilities to homes around the world. Family fun is only one sentence away with Just LIke Mom and Dad for Google Home, giving users access to three rounds of friendly competition through one simple voice activation: ‘Hey Google, talk to Just Like Mom and Dad’.
Based off the hilarious and fun-filled game show that celebrates and rewards families for how well they know each other, the Just Like Mom and Dad Google Home Action offers fans three play rounds of hands-free family fun that they can enjoy together, at home! This new addition supports marblemedia’s commitment to innovation and its ongoing strategy to develop more digital interactive content.
“We’re very proud and excited to be launching this new digital extension of the Just Like Mom and Dad brand,” says marblemedia Co-CEO, Mark Bishop. “Just Like Mom and Dad is about bringing families together, and this a new way for us to offer fun, family moments on new, emerging platforms such as Google Home.”
The Just Like Mom and Dad Google Home game, which offers three rounds of competition, including the Freeze Dance Challenge, Personality Quiz, and Trivia Round. At the end of the three rounds, a winner is declared and must face the final, skill-testing riddle. The winners get to ‘spin’ the prize wheel, which gives them the power to re-assign chores or ask for special treats! Tablet and smartphone users can also join in on the excitement with the Just Like Mom and Dad App, an on-the-go mobile destination for family fun!
Continuing to build on series momentum, Just Like Mom and Dad’s Christmas Bash is premiering, a one-hour Christmas special this season, full of holiday-themed questions, a seasonal Bake-Off and of course, presents! Hosted by Canadian actress Kylee Evans and her husband, nine-time Canadian comedy award winner/part-time toy deliverer “Sandy Claus” (Sandy Jobin-Bevans), the special features three amazing parent-kid teams competing in some serious holiday fun.
The Just Like Mom and Dad Holiday Special will premiere on December 10, 2018 at 6:00pm MT on BYUtv in the US and on December 22 at 8:00pm on YES TV in Canada.
For more information about the series, visit JustLikeMomAndDad.com.
About marblemedia
marblemedia is a leading global entertainment company that develops, produces and distributes compelling TV, interactive and digital content for audiences of all ages, across media platforms. With divisions specializing in primetime scripted and unscripted programming complementing its roster of successful kids and family properties, international distribution company Distribution360 and an interactive studio, marblemedia is an expert in delivering winning content that meets the needs of an ever-changing media landscape.
Founded in 2001 by co-CEOs Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg with a vision of creativity, partnership and innovation, the company has offices in Toronto and London, plus a 50-acre production facility located 90 minutes north of Toronto. Learn more at marblemedia.com.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Emily Marshall
Associate Director, ChizComm Ltd (on behalf of marblemedia)
416.551.0822
Kelsey Aikman joins marblemedia and Distribution360 as Director of Marketing & Communications
TORONTO, CANADA (November 27, 2018) - marblemedia is pleased to announce the appointment of Kelsey Aikman to the newly created role of Director of Marketing & Communications.
Leading marketing and communications for marblemedia and Distribution360, Kelsey will work with the team to develop strategic brand initiatives, establish new approaches to engaging audiences and implement plans that will continue to drive new business and revenue for marblemedia and D360 across B2B and new B2C initiatives. Focusing marketing and communication efforts towards discoverability, Kelsey will develop and encourage new methods to allow content to stand out and easily found by audiences.
“We’re excited to welcome Kelsey to the team. This new role signals marblemedia’s expanded focus on exploring new brand and revenue opportunities as the media landscape continues to evolve.” Mark Bishop, co-CEO and Executive Producer. “Marketing and communication strategies will play an increasingly significant role in engaging new audiences. Kelsey’s experience and strategic approach will help marblemedia continue to grow and innovate across the business.”
Kelsey brings over 13 years of experience within the entertainment industry in marketing, communications and promotions. Kelsey previously served as Manager of Entertainment and Content Marketing at CBC and Manager of Publicity & Promotions at Entertainment One. She also held roles at Shaftesbury Films and started her career at Paramount Pictures Canada.
marblemedia continues to build its brand and portfolio across all content areas including kids, primetime scripted and unscripted. A slate of new projects are expected to be announced in 2019, including two Netflix Original series. For marblemedia, innovation remains central to the creative process and in delivering new brand solutions.
About marblemedia
marblemedia is a leading global entertainment company that develops, produces and distributes compelling TV, interactive and digital content for audiences of all ages, across media platforms. With divisions specializing in primetime scripted and unscripted programming complementing its roster of successful kids and family properties, international distribution company Distribution360 and an interactive studio, marblemedia is an expert in delivering winning content that meets the needs of an ever-changing media landscape.
Founded in 2001 by co-CEOs Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg with a vision of creativity, partnership and innovation, the company has offices in Toronto and London, plus a 50-acre production facility located 90 minutes north of Toronto. Learn more at marblemedia.com.
For further information:
Emily Marshall
Associate Manager, ChizComm Ltd (on behalf of marblemedia)
emarshall@chizcomm.com
(416) 551-0822
marblemedia to Get Toes Tapping With A Celtic Family Christmas
TORONTO, CANADA (November 1, 2018) - Award-winning, global media production company marblemedia has greenlit the production of A Celtic Family Christmas, a one-hour musical special starring the renowned MacMaster-Leahy family of musicians, which is set to premiere in December.
This Christmas, world-famous fiddler Natalie MacMaster, her fellow fiddler husband Donnell Leahy, their seven incredible children who play the fiddle, sing, dance along with a number of special guests, will be inviting North American families into their Christmas celebrations, filled with music, dance, storytelling and kinship. The filming of A Celtic Family Christmas will take place just outside Peterborough and Toronto in November, culminating with a performance in front of a live studio audience.
Both internationally acclaimed award-winning musicians in their own right, as a duo Natalie and Donnell are recipients of a Canadian Folk Music Award (2015) and an East Coast Music Award (2016), have collaborated on albums One (2015) and A Celtic Family Christmas (2016) and have been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Trent University. Natalie, Donnell, and their family, have an extensive discography with 12 albums which including 11 solo albums for Natalie MacMaster.
The one-hour special has been picked up by BYUtv in the United States and Canadian broadcasters YESTV, NTV, CHEK DT and Vision TV, which will air the special in December 8 (Local air times will be determined by the individual broadcasters.)
“As a proud Maritimer and a lifelong fan of Celtic music, I could not be happier to work with Natalie and Donnell to share the magic of their musical family with a broader audience,” said marblemedia Co-CEO Mark Bishop. “This special is destined to become a perennial holiday favourite and marks an exciting beginning to our relationship with the MacMaster-Leahy family.”
The MacMaster-Leahy family will perform classic Christmas carols along with some original renditions that will spark the Christmas spirit in all of us, making this time of year even more joyful. On stage will be no shortage of dancers, bag pipers, drummers and fiddlers. Celebrating the evening with Natalie, Donnell and their seven children, Natalie’s parents, a major influence for Natalie and their grandchildren, and Donnell’s mother, the matriarch of the Leahy family, will make a special guest appearance on stage.
Joining Natalie, Donnell and their seven talented children on stage will be special guests Jackie Evancho and Shawn Hook. Jackie Evancho (www.jackieevancho.com) took the world by storm as a 10-year-old contestant on America’s Got Talent, and in the intervening eight years has gone on to record seven studio albums, including 2016’s Someday At Christmas, which saw her once again at number one on the Classical charts. Shawn Hook (www.shawnhook.com), meanwhile, was the first artist signed to ABC Studios and his compositions have been featured on several series including The Hills, Eli Stone and Greek. In 2017, he released hit single "Reminding Me,” featuring Vanessa Hudgens.
Additionally, during the 12 days leading up to broadcast, fans can experience more from the MacMaster-Leahy family with exclusive digital content. Short music-based videos will be released on marblemedia facebook (facebook.com/marblemedia/) each day leading up to the broadcast. marblemedia will also give audiences a behind-the-scenes look with engaging videos, including rehearsals, a family Q&A, a dance lesson and a sing-along with the MacMaster-Leahy children. Follow facebook.com/marblemedia for more announcements and exclusive video content.
The MacMaster-Leahy family is also kicking off a cross-Canada Christmas tour November 23 in Victoria, which ends in Peterborough December 22. The tour is set to travel to the US next year. Visit natalieanddonnell.com/tours/ for more information.
A Celtic Family Christmas is created by marblemedia with the assistance of the Canadian Film or Video Tax Credit, the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit, and broadcasters BYUtv, YESTV, NTV, CHEK DT and Vision TV. Distribution360, a marblemedia company, holds worldwide distribution rights for the special. A Celtic Family Christmas is executive produced by Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg of marblemedia and Jim Bell of BYUtv. The special is produced by Steve Sloan and directed by Shelagh O’Brien.
About marblemedia
marblemedia is a leading global entertainment company that develops, produces and distributes compelling TV, interactive and digital content for audiences of all ages, across media platforms. With divisions specializing in primetime scripted and unscripted programming complementing its roster of successful kids and family properties, international distribution company Distribution360 and an in-house interactive studio, marblemedia is an expert in delivering winning content that meets the needs of an ever-changing media landscape.
Founded in 2001 by co-CEOs Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg with a vision of creativity, partnership and innovation, the company has offices in Toronto and London, plus a 50-acre production facility located 90 minutes north of Toronto. Learn more at marblemedia.com.
For further information:
Emily Marshall
Associate Manager, ChizComm Ltd (on behalf of marblemedia)
emarshall@chizcomm.com
(416) 551-0822
Just Like Mom and Dad Renewed for New Episodes
TORONTO, CANADA (May 22, 2018) - Award-winning global media production and distribution company marblemedia is thrilled to announce that Just Like Mom and Dad has been officially greenlit by YES TV in Canada and BYUtv in the US for the production of 22 new episodes slated to launch in Fall 2018.
The first 20 episodes of the series still continues to rollout, and since the launch in January 2018 Just Like Mom and Dad has become North America’s new favourite family game show, and is the highest rated family game show in Canada!
Just Like Mom and Dad is a hilarious and fun-filled game show that celebrates and rewards families for how well they know each other. Each episode features three teams of parent-kid pairs that are all trying to accumulate the most points after three rounds of family fun.
New episodes will feature more amusing questions and questionable baking, older kids between 8 and 15, more spectacular prizes and even crazier Bake Off recipes. marblemedia is currently seeking fun, energetic families to compete on the new episodes, and interested parent-kid pairs can visit www.JustLikeMomandDad.com to apply.
“We've had tremendous support from YES TV and BYUtv and are thrilled that we will have 22 new episodes to continue to build on our success," says Mark Bishop, Co-CEO of marblemedia. "We cannot wait to serve up more family fun - and lots of surprises - to Just Like Mom and Dad's growing North American fan base."
“Creating moments of togetherness and family fun are at the core of YES TV’s values." says Lorna Dueck, CEO of YES TV®. "Just Like Mom and Dad nestles in to our schedule perfectly, bringing a joyful mix of laughter, fun and family values to our stations. We could not be more excited to share new episodes with our viewers, on YES TV® this fall."
“BYUtv is excited to be working with marblemedia’s remarkable team on a second season of Just Like Mom & Dad,” says Michael Dunn, Managing Director, BYUtv. “The first season has been a big hit in the U.S., and we have some ideas for season two that will be very exciting for our viewers. This show is a treasure throughout Canada, and we are thrilled to be part of the effort to make it available to families across the United States.
To accompany the launch of the new block of episodes, the mobile Just Like Mom and Dad game (IOs, Android), created by marblemedia, will also see new updates to build upon its current success. New updates include the introduction of an 'in-game announcement system' which alerts players of poignant game and brand information, a new block of challenges and additional prizes for winners.
marblemedia secured all production and distribution rights in an agreement with Bell Media. This multi-year format deal includes worldwide program and format distribution rights to the series, through marblemedia’s distribution arm, Distribution360 , along with digital and ancillary rights. In addition, marblemedia has partnered with Segal Licensing, which will be handling licensing and merchandising for the series. marblemedia is also excited to have Baskin Robbins and Dave and Busters as returning partners for the series and is currently in discussions with a number of other brand integration partnerships for participation in the series.
Producers for the series include Mark Bishop, Matt Hornburg, Steve Sloan, Stephen Turnbull, alongside Lorna Dueck for YES TV , Jim Bell for BYUtv, Randy Lennox and Mike Cosentino for Bell Media, and Adam Ivers for Omnicom’s Highway Entertainment.
Casting Call - Seeking North American Families and Original Contestants!
Interested in being on the show? Want to prove to the world how well you and your child know each other? marblemedia wants to hear from you!
Producers are seeking fun, energetic and unique parent-kid pairs who want a chance to spin the big wheel for exciting prizes and make a memory they will never forget! All families with children ages 8-15 are welcome to apply at: www.JustLikeMomAndDad.com
About marblemedia
marblemedia is a leading global entertainment company that develops, produces and distributes compelling TV and interactive digital content for audiences of all ages, across media platforms. With newly launched divisions specializing in primetime unscripted and scripted programming complementing its roster of successful kids and family properties, international distribution company Distribution360 and an in-house interactive studio, marblemedia is an expert in delivering winning content that meets the needs of an ever-changing media landscape.
Founded in 2001 by co-CEOs Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg with a vision of creativity, partnership and innovation, the company has offices in Toronto and London, plus a 50-acre production facility located 90 minutes north of Toronto. Learn more at marblemedia.com.
About YES TV
YES TV is a commercial television station committed to positive, family friendly, entertainment programming. YES TV is licensed and regulated by the CRTC as a religious channel and an exclusively Canadian television station, available in 6.8 million homes across Canada.
YES TV consists of three over-the-air conventional stations, two local stations, CKCS-DT (Calgary, AB) and CKES-DT (Edmonton, AB), and one regional broadcaster, CITS-DT (Hamilton, ON). The regional broadcaster primarily reaches the Greater Toronto Area with re-broadcast transmitters in Kitchener, London, and Ottawa. YES TV is a brand of CTS, a Canadian incorporated non-profit.
About BYUtv
BYU Broadcasting is an integrated media organization, based in Provo, Utah, that inspires people to see, do, and be the good in the world by providing uplifting content, magnifying the university, engaging like-minded communities, and elevating ideals into action.
Founded in 2001, BYUtv has grown from a cable channel on a single satellite TV provider to coverage in more than 82 million households on Dish Network, DirecTV, and over 800 cable systems in the United States.
About Bell Media
Bell Media is Canada’s leading content creation company with premier assets in television, radio, out-of-home advertising, and digital media. Bell Media owns 30 local television stations led by CTV, Canada's highest-rated television network; 30 specialty channels, including TSN and RDS, and four pay TV services, including The Movie Network and Super Écran. Bell Media is also Canada's largest radio broadcaster, with 215 music channels including 109 licensed radio stations in 58 markets across the country, all part of the iHeartRadio brand and streaming service. Bell Media owns Astral, an out-of-home advertising network of more than 30,000 faces in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Québec, and Nova Scotia. Bell Media also operates more than 200 websites; delivers TV Everywhere with its CraveTV and GO video streaming services; operates multi-channel network Much Digital Studios; produces live theatrical shows via its partnership with Iconic Entertainment Studios; owns a majority stake in Pinewood Toronto Studios, one of the largest purpose-built production studios in Canada; 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.
Media Contact: Emily Marshall | emarshall@chizcomm.com | 416.551.0822 x335
marblemedia seeks contestants for new episodes of Just Like Mom & Dad
TORONTO, CANADA (April 26, 2018) - Award-winning global media production and distribution company marblemedia is actively seeking contestants for new episodes of hit game show Just Like Mom & Dad.
Interested in being on the show? marblemedia wants to hear from you! Producers are seeking fun, energetic and unique parent-kid pairs who want a chance to spin the big wheel for exciting prizes! All families with children ages 8-15 are welcome to apply at: www.JustLikeMomAndDad.com
This primetime family game show with fun questions and questionable baking currently airs on YesTV in Canada and BYU in the U.S. New episodes will premiere in fall 2018.
Shot before an energetic studio audience, Just Like Mom & Dad is a hilarious and fun-filled game show that celebrates and rewards families for how well they know each other. Each episode features three teams of parent-kid pairs that are all trying to accumulate the most points after three rounds of family fun.
The first two rounds include asking and answering personal questions that puts the family dynamic to the test. A third round features the infamous “Bake Off” and “Taste Test” where the kids whip up a dish (with some surprise ingredients!) they hope their parents will love. The parents must taste these culinary creations and guess which dish was prepared by their child.
At the end of all three rounds, the team that has earned the most points gets to spin the Just Like Mom & Dad Prize Wheel!
Families can also play at home with the Just Like Mom & Dad App, published by marblemedia. Available for iOS and Android, the app enables families to play challenges with each other, share successes and continue to bond with and learn about each other every day.
Families interested in being on the show can learn more at www.JustLikeMomAndDad.com and via www.facebook.com/justlikemomanddad/
Full episodes can be seen here: http://www.yestv.com/shows/just-like-mom-and-dad/
The show will be produced in the GTA in August 2018. The online casting call closes May 15, 2018.
Emily Marshall
Associate Manager, ChizComm Ltd (on behalf of marblemedia)
emarshall@chizcomm.com
(416) 551-0822 x 335
marblemedia series Holy Baloney greenlit by CBC Kids
TORONTO, ON – March 27, 2018 - Leading television producer marblemedia is pleased to announce that Holy Baloney, a play-along 10 episode, three-minute series for kids, has been greenlit by CBC Kids for a spring 2018 launch at CBC Kids and on the CBC TV App.
Produced by Matt Hornburg and Mark Bishop of marblemedia, along with Jesse Shamata, creator of the hit series Gaming Show (In My Parents Garage), Holy Baloney challenges viewers to guess the answers to everyday questions. Can you pick out fact from fiction? Truth from complete baloney? This Spring, you’ll be able to find out!
Each episode features three kids who take time out of their lunch hour to answer a poignant question about everyday things – each giving a different, hilarious response! The range of questions could include where something in the world comes from, why something is the way it is, or why people do the things they do.
The questions – and sometimes the answers – will be tricky for both kids and parents. It’s up to the viewers to watch the convincing answers of all three schoolyard experts and decide which answer is right, and which two are complete baloney. This kid friendly series is a mix of live-action and mixed media, as the imaginative answers are visually played out throughout each episode.
“marblemedia is always looking for fun, engaging and informative projects that appeal to a broad audience,” said Matt Hornburg, Co-CEO, marblemedia. “In Holy Baloney, we ask the big everyday questions – Why is the sky blue? Why do we shake hands? The type of questions we all asked as kids and sometimes don’t remember as adults, or would be surprised by the real answer. The series offers a fun way for inquisitive people of all ages to learn the answers to life’s toughest questions together.”
International rights for the series are held by marblemedia’s Distribution 360.
About marblemedia
marblemedia is a leading global entertainment company that develops, produces and distributes compelling TV and interactive and digital content for audiences of all ages, across media platforms. With newly launched divisions specializing digital and scripted programming complementing its roster of successful kids and family properties, international distribution company Distribution360 and an in-house interactive studio, marblemedia is an expert in delivering winning content that meets the needs of an ever-changing media landscape.
Founded in 2001 by co-CEOs Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg with a vision of creativity, partnership and innovation, the company has offices in Toronto and London, plus a 50-acre production facility located 90 minutes north of Toronto. Learn more at marblemedia.com.
For further information:
Emily Marshall
Associate Manager, ChizComm Ltd (on behalf of marblemedia)
emilym@chizcomm.com
(416) 551-0822
Megan Follows helms teaser for new marblemedia psychological suspense drama HELD
TORONTO, ON - March 8, 2018 - Leading television producer marblemedia has launched a powerful teaser for a new scripted original psychological suspense drama series HELD, starring Alanna Bale (Cardinal, Good Witch) and Kristopher Turner (Falling Water, Saving Hope). The series is based on the novel by bestselling Canadian author Edeet Ravel, written by Alison Bingeman (Bad Blood, Cardinal, 19-2) and directed by Canadian icon and actress, Megan Follows.
Known for her star turns in The CW’s Reign and the 1980s Anne of Green Gables miniseries, Megan Follows delves deeper into directing with her work on HELD. The drama depicts the psychological breakdown of a kidnapped woman who succumbs to Stockholm Syndrome and falls in love with her captor.
The new HELD teaser, which launched March 1, 2018 at www.HeldTheSeries.com, gives viewers a sneak peek into a riveting story that chronicles the breakdown of an abducted woman, her life in captivity and the eventual reclamation of her power.
“We are so pleased to be working with Megan on this dramatic, stand-alone web series ,” says Matt Hornburg, Co-CEO, marblemedia. “As marble bolsters both its slate and reputation in dramatic primetime content, we are excited to launch the campaign to this powerful web series.”
The entire first season of the HELD web series is projected to go into production in fall 2018.
For more information on HELD, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/heldtheseries/
https://www.instagram.com/heldtheseries/
About marblemedia
marblemedia is a leading global entertainment company that develops, produces and distributes compelling TV and interactive and digital content for audiences of all ages, across media platforms. With newly launched divisions specializing digital and primetime scripted programming complementing its roster of successful kids and family properties, international distribution company Distribution360 and an in-house interactive studio, marblemedia is an expert in delivering winning content that meets the needs of an ever-changing media landscape.
Founded in 2001 by co-CEOs Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg with a vision of creativity, partnership and innovation, the company has offices in Toronto and London, plus a 50-acre production facility located 90 minutes north of Toronto. Learn more at marblemedia.com.
For further information:
Emily Marshall
Associate Manager, ChizComm Ltd (on behalf of marblemedia)
emarshall@chizcomm.com
(416) 551-0822