Former FremantleMedia Execs Set Up Pop Monkey Productions
By Kristin Brzoznowski Published: August 16, 2010 LOS ANGELES: Syd Vinnedge has teamed up with Chuck Thomas and Simone Thorogood to create Pop Monkey Productions, which has already secured a development deal with ITV Studios. Vinnedge is a 35 year veteran of the TV industry. He most recently served as executive producer of The Price Is Right for FremantleMedia, and was also instrumental in launching Baywatch, Family Feud, To Tell The Truth, Press Your Luck and Card Sharks. Thomas and Thorogood are former international heads of Participation TV at FremantleMedia UK and creators of the interactive TV format Quizmania. The company will also include Hugh Wright, former director of development at FremantleMedia and Brighter Pictures. Pop Monkey Productions will specialize in interactive TV, branded entertainment and game-show formats. The company recently sold its first interactive TV format to VH1, a late-night game-show pilot starring Carrie Keagan and Mo Mandel. Pop Monkey also secured a development deal with Los Angeles-based ITV Studios in which ITV has optioned the rights to interactive Participation TV formats for U.S. buyers. © World Screen 2010 |