Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.
Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.
Comments Off on NBC Revs Up to Launch Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge
NBC gets the show on the road with a series order of “Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge,” an epic car makeover competition series based on one of the world’s most popular toys.
Hosted by Rutledge Wood (“Top Gear US,” “Floor Is Lava”), who will also serve as one of the show’s judges, the 10-episode series will give Hot Wheels® superfans the opportunity of a lifetime – turning a nostalgic car from their past into the life-sized Hot Wheels of their dreams. The season-finale winning creation will spin its wheels by launching as an official Hot Wheels die-cast car.
“Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge” is an original format developed and produced by Endemol Shine North America in association with Workerbee under license from Mattel Inc. Executive producers are showrunner Tim Warren, along with Andy Thomas, Sharon Levy, DJ Nurre and Michael Heyerman from Endemol Shine North America; Rick Murray and Chris Hale from Workerbee (a Banijay UK Company); and Fred Soulie and Phil Breman from Mattel Television.
“Everyone remembers their first car, the life experiences they had and the friends who came along for the ride. Hot Wheels is a legendary brand that has created a space for imaginations to run free,” said Corie Henson, EVP, Unscripted Programming, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “Our prolific partners at Endemol Shine North America and Mattel have created larger-than-life family viewing with edge and humor all led by car enthusiast Rutledge Wood, whose creativity, credibility and passion for Hot Wheels makes him the perfect person to drive this wild competition.”
Each episode will invite two passionate car fans and Hot Wheels lovers into the Chrome Zone, where they will each face off in transforming an ordinary vehicle into an extraordinary Hot Wheels showstopper, inspired by personal stories and pop culture touchstones. Working alongside a team of automotive magicians known as “The Car Pool,” the two Superfans will create their designs in high-tech, decked-out garages. Raising the stakes of the competition is the Inspirationator 5000, a larger-than-life vending machine that will rev up in each episode to present the Superfans with a twist in the road.
Riding shotgun will be a rotating panel of celebrity guest judges joining resident experts Hertrech (“Hert”) Eugene Jr., an influencer in car culture and the drift scene, and Dalal Elsheikh, designer for the Ford Motor Company and Hot Wheels Brand Ambassador. Wood, Eugene and Elsheikh, along with the celebrity guests, will review the transformations and crown a winner. The winner of each episode will take home $25,000 and the chance to get into the finale, where three lucky finalists will transform another car in hopes of winning a legendary prize – an additional $50,000 and the honor of having their design made into an official Hot Wheels die-cast car.
More than 16 Hot Wheels cars are sold per second across the globe, and this all-new “Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge” die-cast car will join the ranks of the 8 billion+ Hot Wheels that have been produced to date.
Comments Off on Sharon Levy Named Chief Executive Officer, Endemol Shine North America
Sharon Levy has been elevated to Chief Executive Officer of Endemol Shine North America, the Banijay-owned studio behind the Emmy Award- nominated LEGO Masters, MasterChef, Wipeout, and the highly-anticipated Ripley, it was announced today by Ben Samek, Chief Executive Officer, Banijay Americas.
In her new role, Levy, who has served as Chief Content Officer, Endemol Shine North America, since 2021, will manage all aspects of the business and its growth. Named as one of the “Most Powerful Producers in Unscripted TV” by The Hollywood Reporter, she will also continue to lead all of the studio’s unscripted and scripted programming efforts from the company’s North Hollywood headquarters.
“Sharon is one of the most strategic executives in the business, someone whose creative vision is matched only by her market savvy,” said Samek. “Over the past five years, she has already positioned Endemol Shine North America as a major industry player and unleashed the creativity of her group. I look forward to supporting her as she leads her talented team to new heights.”
“I’m very excited to take on the CEO role for the new Endemol Shine North America as we chart its course forward during an extraordinary time for the industry,” said Levy. “I am thankful to Ben for believing in me and my exceptional team and giving us the responsibility and opportunity to redefine ESNA. With Endemol Shine North America now operating solely as a production studio, we’ll move more nimbly and be better positioned to meet the challenges of the moment. It’s a new era at ESNA, and we look forward to working with partners, old and new, to create great television.”
With Levy now in place as CEO, Endemol Shine North America, which previously operated as the holding company on behalf of Banijay Americas, will operate as an independent production studio alongside the nine other Banijay-owned studios. In announcing these moves, his first since being named CEO, Banijay Americas, Samek completes the restructure of Banijay’s businesses across the Americas, establishing the new Endemol Shine North America studio alongside fellow U.S.-based Bunim/Murray Productions, Truly Original, 51 Minds Entertainment, Authentic Entertainment and Stephen David Entertainment; Mexico-based Endemol Shine Boomdog and Banijay Mexico and U.S. Hispanic; and Brazil-based Endemol Shine Brasil and A Fábrica.
“Historically, Endemol Shine North America served a dual role as the parent company to our subsidiaries and as its own production label,” said Samek. “Reconstituting ESNA as a pure production studio that lives alongside the nine other studios that form Banijay Americas, each with its own leadership and goals, will afford us the opportunity to work more collaboratively and efficiently and represent ourselves more clearly to our industry partners.”
Since joining Endemol Shine North America in 2017 as President, Unscripted and Scripted TV, Levy, an award-winning producer and executive, has successfully reconfigured the studio’s Los Angeles-based programming team to work more closely with Banijay’s myriad global production companies and created an original development slate that features projects from co-owned labels worldwide with marquis talent highlighted by Will Arnett, John Cena, Nicole Byer, Keke Palmer, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, John Cusack, Steve Zaillian, Gillian Flynn, and more.
During her tenure with Endemol Shine North America, Levy has launched and overseen numerous hits including FOX’s wildly-successful and Emmy Award-nominated LEGO Masters (hosted by Will Arnett), TBS’ revamped Wipeout (with John Cena and Nicole Byer), Foodtastic (Disney+), The Courtship (USA/Peacock), a new version of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition for HGTV, and the highly-anticipated Showtime original series, Ripley. Levy also leads Endemol Shine’s top-rated food competition franchises, MasterChef and MasterChef Junior.
Prior to joining Endemol Shine, Levy served as Executive Vice President of Original Series for Spike TV where she oversaw the acquisition, creation, and production of unscripted series, scripted series, and documentaries, successfully transforming the network’s brand identity with hits such as Ink Master, Bar Rescue, Auction Hunters, and Deadliest Warrior.
Last year, Levy helped orchestrate a new partnership between Endemol Shine North America and EveryWoman Studios to expand the Propelle Program, an initiative designed to give up-and- coming female creators more opportunities in unscripted TV. As part of this initiative, Endemol Shine North America underwrote a new format category within the Propelle Program, pairing female creators with industry mentors to help develop the next batch of unscripted hit series.
Comments Off on Endemol Shine North America’s Senior Vice President Tamaya Petteway to Lead Studio’s Licensing Team Again
Endemol Shine North America’s Senior Vice President Tamaya Petteway has added oversight of the studio’s licensing team for a second time and industry veteran Chris Lucero has joined the Banijay-owned studio as Director of Licensing Partnerships.
Petteway, who has been with Endemol Shine North America since 2015 and most recently served as Senior Vice President of Brand and Digital Partnerships, has taken on oversight of the studio’s licensing department for a second time. Petteway, who formerly led the company’s licensing initiatives from April 2016-August 2019, will now lead the newly named Brand Partnerships, Licensing and Digital team for the studio.
Lucero joins Endemol Shine North America after serving in top roles with NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures Television, Games Workshop and most recently at Rover Brand Management. In his new role, Lucero will oversee day-to-day licensing partnerships for the studio, which is behind such hits as MasterChef, Wipeout, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Deal Or No Deal and many others.
“Having previously led our licensing division, I’m thrilled to return to the business and build upon our team’s proven success, while continuing to lead our brand partnerships and digital initiatives here at Endemol Shine North America,” says Petteway. “And I’m delighted to have Chris join our ranks, as he brings with him a wealth of TV licensing knowledge, experience, passion, and excitement. He will clearly be a valuable member of our multi-talented group, helping us further expand our U.S. and global licensing efforts that are centered around our dynamic slate of scripted and unscripted TV properties.”
Petteway is now responsible for creating and expanding both licensing and brand partnership efforts for Endemol Shine North America’s roster of hit programs. During her eight years with the studio, she has created numerous brand partnerships across the studio’s top series, including integrating major consumer brands into MasterChef and MasterChef Junior (FOX), Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (HGTV), MasterChef Latinos (Estrella), LEGO Masters (FOX), Wipeout (TBS), The Courtship (Peacock/NBCUniversal) and Foodtastic (Disney+).
Brand partners have included Samsung, General Mills, Blue Apron, T-Mobile, Kellogg’s, State Farm, Lexus, Mazola, Blue Diamond, Whirlpool, Burlington, Wayfair, Best Buy, Amazon, Microsoft and many more.
On the licensing side, Petteway has developed numerous successful partnerships during her tenure, helping make MasterChef and MasterChef Junior two of the most successful brands in the industry—launching such initiatives as the MasterChef Junior Live Tour with TCG Entertainment, MasterChef Wines, Camp MasterChef with Campus Cerdanya, Cooking with MasterChef interactive online cooking classes with Bluprint.com, MasterChef Cruises (with Holland America), MasterChef Junior cooking sets with Wicked Cool Toys, MasterChef Table with Grubhub and numerous best-selling MasterChef and MasterChef Junior cookbooks.
Petteway also led the launch of series-inspired products developed for the Emmy Award-winning scripted series Black Mirror (Netflix), including the first-ever social board game ‘Nosedive,’ an exclusive apparel line for Target, and ‘binge-themed’ subscription boxes with Loot Crate.
Prior to joining Endemol Shine North America, Petteway was Vice President, Partnership Marketing and Development at Universal Music Group. Before joining Universal Music Group, Petteway spent eight years at CORE Media’s 19 Entertainment, including as Vice President, Brand Partnerships.
Lucero joins Endemol Shine North America from Rover Brand Management, where he led the boutique licensing and merchandising consultancy firm as its principal, working with both established and emerging brands. Prior to Rover, Lucero led licensing and brand management in North America for UK-based Games Workshop, the world’s largest tabletop war gaming company.
Previously, Lucero was Vice President, Global Licensing, Sony Pictures Television, where he represented the studio’s current and catalog television-based intellectual properties. While at Sony, Lucero spearheaded both the domestic and international growth of the studio’s Franchise Licensing business, representing over 50 current and classic television series, including Outlander, Preacher, Shark Tank, Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad and more.
Before that, Lucero was at NBCUniversal, where he was Director of Global Licensing for the NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group. He led both the worldwide growth of NBC Universal’s TV Consumer Products Group business for the NBCU entities: Syfy, USA, The Weather Channel, CNBC, NBC News, and NBC’s vast catalog of television titles.
Lucero holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from California State University, Long Beach, a Master of Fine Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles in Film and Television and a Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine University School of Law.
Comments Off on Banijay Brands Unveils Slate for Licensing Expo
Banijay Brands, in collaboration with Endemol Shine North America, will be attending Licensing Expo on 24-26 May in Las Vegas, showcasing its diverse portfolio of IP, including the worldwide smash-hit cookery show MasterChef; the multi-award-winning cult drama Peaky Blinders; the Netflix hit anthology series Black Mirror; internationally-loved digital animation Simon’s Cat; and British icon Mr Bean.
Banijay Brands is co-sponsor of this year’s Licensing Expo opening party, which will feature a Peaky Blinders branded bar. It is also sponsoring the show badge, which incorporates a competition for attendees to win a case of MasterChef wine.
In addition, MasterChef and Peaky Blinders have been shortlisted in the 2022 Licensing International Excellence Awards for Best Live Action Entertainment Brand, and Best Product – Appliances, Electronics or Housewares for an Entertainment Property respectively.
Owain Walbyoff, Chief Commercial Officer, Banijay says: “We are keenly exploring new opportunities and emerging technologies as we continue to drive consumer engagement with our brands. Banijay’s world-class portfolio provides endless opportunities for authentic products and experiences, and we look forward to forging new partnerships across multiple categories.”
Banijay Brands controls the brand licensing rights to some of the most high-profile and creative IP in the world across multiple genres from scripted to entertainment.
Award-winning anthology Black Mirror explores themes of contemporary techno-paranoia. Available on Netflix globally, the series, created by Charlie Brooker, boasts a stellar fanbase with numerous industry accolades including Emmy’s, International Emmy’s, BAFTA Craft Awards and a Rose d’Or.
Peaky Blinders is the award-winning crime drama that is sold to more than 180 countries, airing on BBC One in the U.K. and widely available internationally on Netflix. The final season will be launching in the U.S. and other international markets from 10th June. The recently aired season six was the UK’s number one drama of the year for young adults, with over 17 million views on BBC iPlayer to date. Brand-owner and series producer Caryn Mandabach Productions recently announced an immersive theatre show and a first-of-its-kind dance theatre show which will run through to 2023.
Simon’s Cat is one of the biggest YouTube sensations of recent years. From a single free-to-air, two-minute cartoon, it has gone on to become a major global success, with not only 1.3bn views and 5.7 million subscribers on YouTube but also over 15m followers and over 1bn views across social media too.
MasterChef is the most travelled food format, last year celebrating 500 seasons airing globally since its 2005 reboot. With more than 65 local versions aired in over 200 countries, the MasterChef brand is respected and recognised all around the world.
Adventure-reality stalwart Survivor was last year ranked #1 Best Reality Show of All Time by Variety magazine. One of the most watched formats around the world, last year was its most successful to-date with 24 productions.
The global game show phenomenon Deal or No Deal has been commissioned in 83 territories worldwide with 324 productions internationally. A ground-breaking show known all around the world, contestants play and deal for a top cash prize in a contest of nerves, luck and raw intuition.
Action-packed family entertainment brand Wipeout has won the world over with its zany crashes, smashes and hilarious mud splashes. Following the success of the recent U.S. reboot, which was the No. 1 unscripted series on cable, the John Cena and Nicole Byer fronted version has been renewed for a new season. Wipeout continues to grow a substantial digital audience with over 10 million active followers worldwide across Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
Banijay is home to a raft of homes and interiors titles including the award-winning Your Home Made Perfect, Your Garden Made Perfect and the Alan Carr hosted Interior Design Masters. From the use of cutting-edge technology and VR to the competitive world of interior design, these increasingly popular brands are synonymous with innovative and stylish transformations.
Mr. Bean is a globally loved animation that has been in continual distribution for over 30 years. A pioneer for Banijay, the brand recently became the company’s first activation in the Metaverse with a Mr Bean NFT drop. The brand has amassed a huge digital following across a number of platforms with over 129 million followers on Facebook, making it the biggest TV brand on the platform; nearly 50 million subscribers and 15 billion lifetime views across official YouTube channels; 8.7 million followers on Instagram; and 8.3 million likes on TikTok.
Comments Off on Domino Effect Continues in France for Banijay
Banijay today announces Domino Effect will be adapted for the French market, with EndemolShine France producing for M6. The commission follows the recent pickup of the EndemolShine North America format in Holland, where it will be produced by EndemolShine Netherlands for RTL4.
Domino Effect is a brand-new competition in which pairs of domino builders compete to create extraordinary structures. To avoid elimination, they must continue to surpass themselves week on week and impress the expert judges. The show is based on the original format from Endemol Shine North America, which sees a collaboration with YouTube domino sensation, Lily Hevesh.
The commission follows the successful adaptation of LEGO Masters by EndemolShine France in the territory. It’s also behind Undercover Boss (M6), Best Bakery (M6), One Born Every Minute (TF1), Miss France (TF1), and LOL: Last One Laughing (Amazon Prime Video).
James Townley, Global Head of Content Development comments: “Packed with awe-inspiring creations and nail-biting jeopardy, as one movement could see contestants lose all their hard work, this entertaining format for the whole family is quickly gaining momentum on the international stage. Banijay has a proven track record in delivering high-quality competition reality formats that quickly travel the world and we are definitely seeing a Domino Effect with this one.”
Jean-Louis Blot, CEO of EndemolShine Production says: “Amazing designs, limitless creativity and ambition are all the right ingredients to offer an impressive show to viewers. We are looking forward to bringing this format to France and witnessing the audiences’ reaction as the talented contestants design, build and ultimately topple these mind-blowing builds.”
Banijay’s Domino Effect is now gaining momentum across the international market, with further European commissions on the horizon.
Comments Off on Julie Pizzi Named President, Bunim/Murray Productions
Veteran producer and longtime executive Julie Pizzi has been named President, Bunim/Murray Productions, it was announced today by Cris Abrego, Chairman of the Americas, Banijay, and President and CEO, Endemol Shine Holdings.
Pizzi, who formerly served as President of Entertainment and Development at Bunim/Murray, has led both development and production during her career at the Banijay-owned studio that first started in 1998.
Bunim/Murray Productions was originally founded in 1987 and is behind such ground-breaking unscripted series as The Real World, Road Rules, Keeping Up With The Kardashians and The Challenge. Earlier this month, Paramount+ announced it had ordered a new season of The Real World that will include members of the original cast that first aired on MTV.
Last November, Bunim/Murray Productions was put under the purview of Abrego, who now oversees nine different Banijay-owned studios across North and Latin America, including Endemol Shine North America.
“Julie brings a wealth of unscripted production experience to her new role and has been a part of the Bunim/Murray family for more than 20 years, making her the ideal candidate to lead the studio into the next decade,” says Abrego. “Bunim/Murray is one of the true pioneers in the unscripted industry and thanks to Julie and many others, it has a tremendous amount of momentum with numerous new ground-breaking series on the way.”
“I started my career at Bunim/Murray and was mentored by its founders, the late Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray,” says Pizzi. “I have incredible admiration for the company they created and it’s important for me to continue to build on what they built in both nurturing creativity and developing content that is both innovative and entertaining.”
Pizzi added, “At the same time, look forward to working with Cris Abrego, his team and Banijay globally as we shepherd Bunim/Murray into its next successful chapter. Cris is an industry leader, who also worked at BMP during the company’s early years. He understands the uniqueness of the company, the brand and its culture.”
Pizzi has more than 20 years of experience producing hundreds of hours of unscripted television. While serving as President of Entertainment and Development, she had creative and development responsibility for all of Bunim/Murray’s format series and increasing the development of original formats.
Most recently, she developed and served as Executive Producer on Bill Nye Saves the World for Netflix and was one of the first partners with Facebook to launch the Ball In The Family series on their Watch platform. Pizzi also developed and led production on The Real WorldThailand, Mexico and Atlanta for Facebook, Snapchat’s first docu-series Endless, Kim Kardashian West—The Justice Project for Oxygen and Family or Fiance´ for OWN.
Previously, Pizzi served as Creative Vice President and Showrunner at Bunim/Murray for six years, where she spearheaded development and executive produced high-rated seasons of Road Rules and Real World/Road Rules Challenge (MTV), as well as Born to Diva (VH1). And Pizzi has continued to oversee the hit Challenge franchise for MTV, which is going into its 37th season.
In 2004, Pizzi left Bunim/Murray to launch award-winning reality and documentary company, PB&J Television. As Co-President of PB&J, Pizzi executive produced Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Model Search (NBC), Reversal of Fortune (Showtime), America’s Prom Queen (ABC Family), Bad Sex (LOGO), as well as four seasons of the hit Dress My Nest (Style).
Pizzi, who returned to head up development at Bunim/Murray in 2015, has produced many hours of programming for MTV, Facebook, Snapchat, Netflix, E!, Showtime, Paramount +, USA, Oxygen, OWN, HGTV, SYFY, NBC, FOX, Travel Channel, A&E, VH1, CMT, ABC Family, Style, Lifetime, The CW, TLC and Discovery.
Comments Off on Cris Abrego Becomes First Latino Chair of Television Academy Foundation
The Television Academy Foundation today announced its newly elected board officers, including its first-ever Latino chair, who will serve two-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2022.
Officers elected to serve two-year terms are: Foundation Chair Cris Abrego, Chairman of the Americas, Banijay, and President and CEO, Endemol Shine Holdings; Vice Chair Jonathan Murray, Bunim/Murray Productions co-founder; Treasurer Deborah Bradley, president of Bungalo Homes, Amherst; and Secretary Billie Greer, a public policy advisor and consultant.
“I am thrilled and honored to serve as Foundation chair and look forward to working with the board and staff as we build a more inclusive entertainment business,” said Abrego. “During these unprecedented times, we are expanding our reach to serve an even greater number of diverse students from across the country, advancing the Foundation’s goals of helping to shape the careers of the next generation of television professionals.”
Cris Abrego – Chair
As the newly named Chairman of the Americas, Banijay, and President and CEO, Endemol Shine Holdings, Abrego leads operations in North America and Latin America for the world’s leading content producer and distributor with a diverse portfolio of companies that are behind hit television formats including Lego Masters, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Big Brother, MasterChef, Wipeout,The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Deal or No Deal, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Biggest Loser and Utopia.
Abrego’s oversight includes Endemol Shine North America, Bunim/Murray Productions, Authentic Entertainment, Truly Original, 51 Minds Entertainment, Stephen David Entertainment and Yellow Bird U.S. In Latin America,
Abrego also oversees Endemol Shine Latino, the company’s Spanish- and Portuguese-language sales and development arm.
As one of the highest-ranking Latino leaders in television, Abrego has made inclusion a top priority for his team at Endemol Shine and throughout the entertainment industry. In 2019 Abrego received the prestigious President’s Award at the 34th annual Imagen Awards, which were established to encourage positive portrayals of Latinos in the media.
Under Abrego’s leadership, Endemol Shine has been a host company for the Television Academy Foundation’s Summer Internship Program for more than six years.
Abrego succeeds Madeline Di Nonno, CEO of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, who served two consecutive terms (2017-2020) as chair of the Foundation. Di Nonno will remain on the Foundation’s board of directors.
Jonathan Murray – Vice Chair
As co-founder of Bunim/Murray Productions, Murray is widely credited with helping to usher in the modern reality television genre with his late partner Mary-Ellis Bunim when they launched The Real World on MTV in 1992. Murray has executive produced some of the industry’s most popular unscripted television shows including Project Runway, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, The Challenge, The Simple Life, Starting Over, Family or Fiancé and Making the Band. He has won two primetime Emmy® Awards for Born This Way, a series documenting the lives of young adults with Down syndrome, and the documentary Autism: The Musical. His most recent documentary titled TransHood premiered on HBO in November 2020.
In 2012 Murray was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. He has served multiple terms on the board of the Television Academy representing the Reality Peer Group and has been a co-chair of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards committee.
Murray and Bunim/Murray Productions have been avid supporters of the Foundation’s annual Summer Internship Program through the years, hosting and hiring numerous interns who have come through the program.
Deborah Bradley – Treasurer
Bradley serves as president of Bungalo Homes, a technology-enabled platform transforming the residential real estate experience, and a division of investment manager, Amherst. Bradley is responsible for all aspects of scaling the consumer-facing business. Prior to joining Amherst in 2018, Bradley served for 25+ years in various executive capacities for global media companies, including Paramount Pictures, ViacomCBS and WarnerMedia/Turner Broadcasting. Among positions she’s held throughout her career are acting general manager of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim; head of acquisitions for Turner Entertainment Networks;
programming operations for TNT and tbs; and head of cable sales, CBS Distribution.
Bradley has been on the Foundation’s board since 2016, serving both as chair of its Emmys Golf Classic and on development committees.
Billie Greer – Secretary
Greer is a public policy advisor and consultant. From 2011-2015, she served as president of the Southern California Leadership Council, founded by four former California governors and Southern California business and community leaders, to address and solve public policy issues critical to the region’s economic vitality. Greer served as director of Governor Schwarzenegger’s Los Angeles regional office and was a member of his senior staff from 2004-2010. In 2004 Billie was inducted into the National Association of Women Business Owners/LA’s Hall of Fame and was designated a “Women of Distinction” by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Foundation in 2005. She has been honored by the Black Business Association of Los Angeles and the NAACP Long Beach branch.
Greer has been on the Television Academy Foundation’s board of directors since 2010 and serves on its development committee. This is her second term as Foundation secretary; she previously held the position for the 2011-2012 term.
In addition, Madeline Di Nonno, CEO of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, and Thomas Sarnoff, president of Sarnoff Entertainment Corporation, will continue to serve on the Foundation’s Executive Committee as Chair Emeritus and Founding Chair Emeritus, respectively.
About the Television Academy Foundation
Established in 1959 as the charitable arm of the Television Academy, the Television Academy Foundation is dedicated to preserving the legacy of television while educating and inspiring those who will shape its future. Through renowned educational and outreach programs, such as The Interviews: An Oral History of Television Project, College Television Awards and Student Internship Program, the Foundation seeks to widen the circle of voices our industry represents and to create more opportunity for television to reflect all of society. For more information on the Foundation, please visit TelevisionAcademy.com/Foundation.
Comments Off on Endemol Shine North America and VC Capital Holdings Bringing MASTERCHEF Restaurant Concept to the U.S.
Endemol Shine North America, producer of the hit culinary competition series MASTERCHEF on FOX and private equity financier VC Capital Holdings, announced today that they are teaming up to bring the first MASTERCHEF restaurant concept to the U.S.
The concept aims to be more than an eatery, but a true, immersive dining experience. From screen to plate, the menu is expected to feature signature dishes and recipes that have been prepared on the show. Diners will have the opportunity to experience first-hand what it’s like to be in the famous MASTERCHEF kitchen by participating in familiar show challenges, such as ordering the ‘Mystery Box’ and selecting surprise ingredients for the chef to prepare. Past contestants and winners will have the opportunity to showcase their talents and favorite dishes to guests through exclusive tasting menus, residencies and hosted events.
“We are so thrilled to be partnering with VC Capital Holdings to bring this unique MASTERCHEF dining experience to restaurant-goers in the U.S.,” says Amber Sheppo, SVP, Licensing, Endemol Shine North America. “VC Capital has had success in providing unique experiences and concepts in the restaurant and hospitality industry and we couldn’t have a better partner to bring the excitement and energy of MASTERCHEF to American diners.”
“After seeing the success of the MASTERCHEF restaurant in Dubai, I knew this was the perfect concept for diners here in the U.S.,” says Antonio Primo, Managing Partner, VC Capital Holdings. “With a menu curated from the hit show’s Champion and Finalist recipes, MASTERCHEF is about the passion for cooking and the emotional connection we have with food. From the famous Clock to the ‘Mystery Box’ to finalist and Champion residencies and masterclasses, the experience is extraordinary. Particularly in the current environment, this type of vibe dining, where people can stay for an evening and safely socialize, is reshaping the hospitality market. Our investment community has energized around the launch and we’re looking forward to opening the first of several locations in 2021.”
The award-winning restaurant ‘MasterChef, the TV Experience’ in Dubai features an interior design inspired by the famous MASTERCHEF kitchen and a menu that spotlights former contestants and winners from various international seasons of the hit global series. Endemol Shine North America and VC Capital Holdings are excited to bring this unique concept stateside.
Location and opening details to be announced at a later date.
An encore broadcast of MASTERCHEF’s epic tenth season is currently airing Wednesdays (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
MASTERCHEF JUNIOR will return for an eighth season in the 2020-2021 season on FOX, featuring world renowned chef Gordon Ramsay, acclaimed chef Aarón Sánchez and nutrition expert, author and new judge Daphne Oz.
Originally created by Franc Roddam, MASTERCHEF is the most successful cookery television format in the world, adapted locally in 60+ countries and watched globally by over 250 million viewers in more than 200 countries. The MASTERCHEF brand extends into a huge range of successful commercial activities across multiple platforms including extensive publishing, consumer products, experiential and live events, travel, digital and B2B activities.
About Endemol Shine North America
Endemol Shine North America delivers world-class content and compelling storytelling to multiple platforms in the U.S. and across the globe. Endemol Shine North America is part of Endemol Shine Group, the global content creator, producer and distributor with a diverse portfolio of companies that are behind some of the most prominent hit television formats and series in the world.
Its Endemol Shine Latino division oversees all Spanish and Portuguese-language operations across Latin America, including Endemol Shine Brasil and newly launched studio Endemol Shine Boomdog, which produces original content for both the U.S. Hispanic and Mexican markets. Subsidiary production companies include Authentic Entertainment, Truly Original, and 51 Minds Entertainment.
Endemol Shine Group’s companies in North America are behind hit series such asBig Brother(CBS),Ink Master(Paramount Network), MasterChef(FOX), MasterChef Junior(FOX), LEGO Masters(FOX), Extreme Makeover: Home Edition(HGTV), The Biggest Loser(USA), Swamp People(History), The Real Housewives of Atlanta(Bravo), Below Deck(Bravo), Below Deck: Mediterranean(Bravo), T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle(VH1), Trading Spaces(TLC), Deal or No Deal(CNBC), LOL(Amazon) and the upcoming launches of Utopia(Amazon), Wipeout(TBS), Ripley(Showtime) and Súbete a Mi Moto(Amazon).
In July 2020, Endemol Shine Group was acquired by Banijay, creating the world’s largest international content producer and distributor spanning 22 territories with over 120 production companies and a multi-genre catalogue boasting over 88,000 hours of original standout programming.
About VC Capital Holdings
VC Capital Holdings (“VCCH”) was founded in Miami, FL as the parent of several investment-related companies. Together the company’s leadership has launched and developed deals for over 45 companies in healthcare, hospitality, construction, retail, consulting, entertainment, natural resources F&B and real estate. VCCH’s successful projects include more than 30 restaurants and nightclubs in the U.S. and Brazil, together with several high-end restaurants and hospitality chains. The executive team has taken seven companies public, and its hospitality management team has operated some of the largest and most well-known nightclubs, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
VCCH’s advantage lies in the company’s historical ability to create partnerships, incentives, and opportunities for both U.S. and Brazilian investors through its network of dignitaries, investors, and exceptionally experienced counsel, financial experts, and management consultants. The company has a consistent ability to efficiently source, invest, manage, and ultimately exit assets in diverse investment markets that are trading below their intrinsic value due to structural, capital, and management inefficiencies. In doing so, VCCH seeks to create superior, risk-adjusted returns for investors and partners, while emphasizing downside protection. Through its VCCMC Holdings subsidiary, the company will build, manage, and operate MasterChef The TV Experience™ restaurants in the United States. More information can be found at www.vccapitalholdings.com