Interactive TV Pioneers Team Up For ‘Monkey’ Business Company Signs Development Deal With ITV Studios
LOS ANGELES, CA (AUGUST 10, 2010) Veteran TV executive Syd Vinnedge has joined together with Chuck Thomas
and Simone Thorogood, former international heads of Participation TV at
FremantleMedia UK and creators of global interactive TV format smash,
“Quizmania” to create Pop Monkey Productions.
The company has just secured a development deal with Los Angeles based, ITV Studios, in which ITV has optioned the rights to interactive Participation TV formats for key US buyers.
The company will specialize in
interactive TV, branded entertainment and game show formats focusing on
innovative projects that generate additional revenue streams for
broadcasters. Pop Monkey recently sold its first interactive TV format to VH1, a late night game show pilot starring Carrie Keagan and Mo Mandel.
“We’re thrilled and excited to be in
business with Syd,” said Thomas. “As the TV business continues to get
more competitive and broadcasters look for new revenue streams, we
believe our dynamic brand of interactive TV formats where audiences can
engage with shows via the web and their phones are finally about to
come of age in the US, just as they have around the rest of the world”.
Vinnedge commented “Chuck and Simone are
the pioneers of Participation TV and it’s great to be developing shows
with them that embrace the convergence of digital media and traditional
TV”.
The company will also include Hugh Wright, former Director of Development at FremantleMedia and Brighter Pictures.