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.

About Electus

Electus is the first integrated multimedia entertainment studio to unite producers, creators, advertisers and distributors under one roof and produce all forms of content for distribution across a variety of platforms around the world. Headed by Ben Silverman, in partnership with IAC, the company connects advertisers, distributors and content creators early on in the development process, enabling marketers and advertisers to be a true partner in campaigns and content creation. For more information on Electus, visit http://www.electus.com/.

ABOUT THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY

The Weinstein Company (TWC) is a multimedia production and distribution company launched in October 2005 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films in 1979.  TWC also encompasses Dimension Films, the genre label founded in 1993 by Bob Weinstein, which has released such popular franchises as SCREAM, SPY KIDS and SCARY MOVIE.  Together TWC and Dimension Films have released a broad range of mainstream, genre and specialty films that have been commercial and critical successes, including Tom Hooper’s THE KING’S SPEECH, winner of four 2011 Academy Awards®, including Best Picture.  Since 2005, TWC and Dimension Films have released such films as GRINDHOUSE; I’M NOT THERE; THE GREAT DEBATERS; VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA; THE READER; THE ROAD;  HALLOWEEN; THE PAT TILLMAN STORY; PIRANHA 3D; INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS; A SINGLE MAN; BLUE VALENTINE, THE COMPANY MEN; MIRAL; and SCRE4M.  Upcoming releases include SPY KIDS 4, APOLLO 18, OUR IDIOT BROTHER, THE DETAILS and MY WEEK WITH MARILYN.   Recently wrapping are I DON’T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT and COGAN’S TRADE.

TWC is also active in television production, with credits including the Emmy® Award-winning hit reality series “Project Runway,” the new VH1 reality series “Mob Wives,” and the critically acclaimed HBO comedy/crime series “The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.”  The company is producing two “Project Runway” spinoffs, “Project Runway: Masters” and “Project Runway: Accessories,” which are expected to debut in 2011.  The company currently has 17 series in different stages of development, including: “Marco Polo,” a scripted historical series about the great explorer; “The Nanny Diaries,” based on the hit book; and “The Mad Ones,” adapted from the Mafia novel of the same name.  

About Electus/Engine Distribution

Electus/Engine Distribution was formed in 2010 by Ben Silverman's multimedia studio, Electus and TV veteran Chris Philip's Engine Entertainment. The company, spearheaded by Chris Philip, is the global distribution arm of Electus that handles all international sales for Electus' programming as well as scripted and non-scripted programs and formats from other well-known 3rd party providers.

About IAC

IAC operates more than 50 leading and diversified Internet businesses across 30 countries. Our mission is to harness the power of interactivity to make daily life easier and more productive for people all over the world. To view a full list of the companies of IAC please visit our website at www.iac.com.

Media contacts:
Electus
Stacy Simpson
(212) 314-7326
[email protected]

Sunshine Sachs
Jessica Berger
(212) 691-2800
[email protected]

SOURCE Electus