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.