Ben Silverman’s Electus Pacts with Shine for Distribution Venture

WASHINGTON: Electus, the new multimedia company that Ben Silverman has set up at IAC, is partnering with Shine International to establish a new distribution company.

Electus Distribution will handle worldwide sales for Electus’ content, including television, motion picture and digital. The venture will be run by Silverman and Chris Grant, the president of Shine International, and will be based in Shine International’s offices. Silverman and Grant are identifying candidates to staff the venture. Electus and Shine International will also co-fund projects together and explore third-party production deals.

Electus Distribution has already inked its first representation deal, working with Israel-based Abbot Reif Hameiri Production Company. Electus Distribution will develop Abbot Reif Hameiri’s Israeli programming in the U.S. across all platforms, while Abbot Reif Hameiri will be able to repurpose Electus’ multiplatform content in the Israeli market. Electus has already secured the rights to bring Cuckoo’s Nest, a game show on Facebook produced by Abbott Reif Hameiri, to the U.S. 

"It’s a special thrill to collaborate with Ben, whose approach to international content has helped shape my vision of the distribution business, and whose pioneering work with international formats and shows has had a transformative effect on the TV landscape," said  Grant. "We look forward to adding the tremendous range of content Ben will generate at Electus to our rapidly growing slate of international programming."

"This unique collaboration is the first of its kind in Israel, and provides an exceptional opportunity—both for talented artists and for our company," said Guy Hameiri, the CEO of Abbot Reif Hameiri Production Company. "The industry in Israel is abundant with creative ideas that do not gain development and impact globally. Working with Electus will allow us to provide a proper platform for talented artists and strengthen our presence in the global content market."

"The content distribution business is evolving rapidly and I’m thrilled to be partnering with my friends at Shine and working again with Chris Grant to build a next generation distribution company that taps into alternative models and new platforms," said Silverman, the CEO of Electus. "Chris is an innovator and leader with the best reputation in international distribution. At the same time, the deal with Abbot Reif Hameiri will make great strides in sharing exceptional content throughout the world—both by bringing their outstanding multiplatform programming and talent to U.S. audiences and by exporting Electus content to Israeli audiences."