Electus Strikes International Distribution Deals in Over 20 Key Territories Including Australia, Canada and Latin America for Television Series “Mob Wives” as VH1 Greenlights Second Season & Reunion Special
NEW YORK, June 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Echoing its domestic success, Ben Silverman’s multimedia entertainment studio Electus, an operating business of IAC (Nasdaq: IACI), today announced that its global distribution arm Electus/Engine Entertainment has already secured international distribution deals with major networks in over 20 territories — including Australia (XYZnetworks), Canada (Shaw Media) and Latin America (MTV Latin America)— for “Mob Wives,” the newest hit reality television series airing on VH1. Averaging 1.3 million viewers in each of its first five weeks on the air, “Mob Wives” has just been picked up by VH1 for a second season and a reunion special after only five episodes.
“Electus’ focus is to produce and distribute premiere content across every platform for the very best partners worldwide,” said Ben Silverman, CEO and founder of Electus. “We are extremely proud to partner with The Weinstein Company, VH1 and our international network partners in bringing this -our first traditional, non-scripted show and hit- to audiences around the world.”
“Mob Wives,” created by Jennifer Graziano of JustJenn Productions and co-executive produced by Electus and The Weinstein Company (TWC), gives viewers an unfiltered look into this closed-door society of Renee, Karen, Carla and Drita, four struggling “allegedly” associated women who have to pick up the pieces and carry on while their husbands or fathers do time for Mob-related activities. United by a bond which few understand, the women are all struggling with their identities and their futures as they raise their kids as single parents. “Mob Wives” can be seen currently on VH1 on Sunday nights at 8:00pm et/pt. Season two is slated to premiere this fall.
“We are thrilled that not only the U.S., but the global marketplace as a whole has really embraced ‘Mob Wives.’ While the situation of the women featured in the series is unique, their compelling, real-life stories have a universal appeal that is clearly resonating in markets around the world,” said Chris Philip, President of Electus/Engine Distribution. “We are proud to bring this groundbreaking series to the world and look forward to adding tremendous range to our rapidly growing slate of international programming.”
“Mob Wives“ is produced by TWC, Electus, JustJenn Productions (Jennifer Graziano) and Left/Right (Banks Tarver, Ken Druckerman and Nina Diaz), with Electus/Engine Distribution owning distribution rights across all platforms including television, motion picture, and digital. Executive producers for VH1 include Shelly Tatro, Kari McFarland, Rick Hankey and Jeff Olde.
Actively developing television and digital programming for an extensive line-up of top cable channels, broadcast networks and online entities, Electus is the first integrated multimedia entertainment studio to unite producers, creators, advertisers and distributors under one roof to develop all forms of content for distribution across a variety of platforms around the world. Headed by Silverman, the company connects all parties early on in the development process, creating better content and enabling marketers and advertisers to be a true partner throughout the creative process to develop campaigns. Electus/Engine Distribution handles worldwide sales for Electus’ content including television, motion picture and digital.
