Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones Form Production Pact with Universal Pictures

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Oct. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Pictures announced today that the studio has forged a significant three-year, first-look production agreement with Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones' de Passe Jones Entertainment (depassejones.com).  The announcement was made by Universal Pictures Chairman Adam Fogelson and Co-Chairman Donna Langley.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111017/LA88331-a)

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111017/LA88331-b)

"Suzanne and Madison are trailblazing producers who have great respect in multiple divisions of the entertainment industry," said Fogelson and Langley.  "We are fortunate to work with such respected partners and look forward to their upcoming projects with the studio."

de Passe and Jones merged their entertainment companies several years ago and are currently developing and producing a wide variety of film, television, music and new media projects. One of de Passe Jones' priority projects is the definitive film on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which they are developing with Steven Spielberg at DreamWorks.  The company  has just published its first graphic novel through its new imprint,  REVENGER COMICS, distributed by IDW Publishing.  Additionally, Jones and de Passe Executive Produced the critically acclaimed President Obama's 2009 Commander in Chief's Inaugural Ball.

"We are excited and honored to have the  opportunity to work  closely with the immensely talented team of executives at Universal to produce films in a variety of genres," said de Passe and Jones in a joint statement.  "We believe the next few years will be a wonderful, creative adventure, and we are looking forward to getting started."

Suzanne de Passe is widely recognized for successful television and film titles and served as the executive producer of the iconic mini-series Lonesome Dove.  She has been recognized with a number of awards and honors including an Academy Award® nomination for co-writing Lady Sings the Blues, won two Emmy Awards, 30 Emmy Nominations, a Golden Globe Award, five NAACP Image Awards, three Peabody Awards, The Women in Film Crystal Award and The Revlon Business Woman of the Year Award.  She is the subject of two Harvard Business School case studies.

Phillip "Madison" Jones began working in the entertainment industry at HBO in Film Acquisition, Sports, Comedy, Documentary and Family divisions.  He was the founder and CEO of IPM, an entertainment, media and IP licensing firm that developed projects with Time Warner under an output deal.  His company spearheaded the highly successful global licensing program for the estate of Martin Luther King, Jr. in the areas of media and entertainment, book publishing and IP licensing.  He was nominated for an Emmy Award as executive producer of the animated special Our Friend Martin featuring the voices of Oprah Winfrey, Samuel L. Jackson, and John Travolta.  In addition to creative endeavors, Jones has negotiated deals with many Fortune 500 companies including Apple, Microsoft, The Coca-Cola Company as well as most of the major television networks and film studios.

Senior development executives Suzanne Coston and Brett King will be receiving submissions on behalf of de Passe Jones Entertainment.

About Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com).  Universal Studios is part of NBCUniversal.  NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.  NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks.  Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

SOURCE de Passe Jones Entertainment; Universal Pictures