Edyson Entertainment Links Up with Content Media Corp.

LOS ANGELES/TORONTO/LONDON: Edyson Entertainment, a production company recently launched by Alyson Richards, has signed a first-look agreement with Content Media Corporation, along with appointing veteran producer Ed Gernon to head up its U.S. activities.

Edyson plans to continue to source, develop and produce properties with a focus on scripted drama, long form and mini-series. The company will be working closely with John Schmidt, the CEO of Content Media, and Greg Phillips, the president of television at Content, as it continues to build up its portfolio.

Gernon, who spent 12 years at Alliance/Atlantis, will be heading up Edyson’s activities in the U.S.

“We’re thrilled to be working with John, Greg, and the entire Content family,” commented Richards. “It’s a strategic relationship that offers unique access to the world market as well as the intelligence and perspective that only a truly global company can provide. Ed’s depth of experience, his taste and passion for crafting good stories, and his relationships in the talent community makes him a perfect fit to head the U.S. operations for Edyson. Not only is the TV landscape beginning to shift back towards mini-series, his forte, but the long form presale co-production model he helped pioneer is beginning to find its way into TV series financing as well.”

“Today, there are 35 buyers in the U.S. alone, as opposed to the relatively small handful when I first started,” said Gernon. “The TV business is more dynamic, more creative, and more of a level playing field than ever before. We believe Edyson’s development and production skills combined with Content’s global reach and financing acumen makes for a formidable new voice in the TV landscape. We’re excited for folks to hear that voice.”

Schmidt added, “We are very excited to be working with Ed and Alyson. They have great depth of experience and tremendous passion and energy. We will provide the international dimension, and work closely with them as they launch scripted drama projects in the U.S. and Canadian markets.”