Silverman’s Electus Partners with Jason Bateman, Will Arnett

NEW YORK: Electus, Ben Silverman’s new company at Barry Diller’s IAC, is partnering with actors Jason Bateman and Will Arnett to help them launch their new digital content company DumbDumb.

Under the terms of the agreement announced today, Electus will package DumbDumb’s original digital content within its comedy division. The new outfit, working with Electus, will link up with advertisers to create commercials and original programming for distribution across multiple media platforms, including television and film. Electus will also have an overall first-look deal and international distribution rights on all of DumbDumb’s content, including television, motion picture and digital. Bateman and Arnett have appeared in a number of films and TV shows, including FOX’s critically acclaimed but short-lived comedy Arrested Development.

"Will and Jason are not only great actors and comedians, but they also have an intrinsic talent for understanding what makes something funny and how that content will resonate with audiences," said Ben Silverman, the CEO of Electus. "Their comedic instinct, combined with our ability to bring them together with the best advertising, production and web-pioneers in the industry, makes this a groundbreaking venture in the evolution of advertising, multimedia production and distribution."

Bateman added: "Ben has been responsible for some of the most interesting stories and greatest comedy in recent memory. Now, however, he says he’d like to shift the focus away from himself. His new challenge—make them laugh online and on purpose. We’re excited to be a part of it."

"Electus is the ultimate partner for Jason and me," added Arnett. "Not only is Ben a media pioneer, but he has a great sense of humor and really understands what we want to accomplish. Ben’s extensive experience as an agent, producer and advertising innovator will help transform DumbDumb into a truly next-generation enterprise."