Ex-MTV Execs Partner with Electus

NEW YORK: Tony DiSanto and Liz Gateley, whose tenure at MTV saw the launch of hit series like Teen Mom and Jersey Shore, have set up an independent production company in partnership with Ben Silverman’s Electus.

DiSanto and Gately, who exited MTV in December 2010, have established DiGa, which promises to "leverage the signature style and unique voice of its founding partners" to develop prime-time cable and broadcast network shows across reality, scripted, feature film and digital content. Projects, the company said in a release today, "will include the on-point cultural relevance, distinctive visuals and seamless execution that made DiSanto and Gateley so successful at MTV."

Already in development at DiGa are, among others, a comedy format from Nick Cannon’s NCredible Entertainment starring Amanda Diva; a fashion series with an interactive element from Jill Martin, author of Fashion for Dummies and the upcoming I Have Nothing to Wear; and three series with Jackhole Industries, the venture founded by Jimmy Kimmel, Adam Carolla and Daniel Kellison. DiSanto and Gateley will continue to have a strong relationship with MTV Networks through multiple series development commitments with DiGa, as well as through DiSanto and Gateley’s continued role as executive producers on the upcoming scripted MTV series Teen Wolf.

"Liz and I are thrilled to partner and form DiGa, the next logical step in our career as we look to expand on the work we did together at MTV as producers and executives," DiSanto said. "We look forward to creating and developing content in a variety of mediums and for new outlets, while also continuing a great relationship with MTV Networks, our long time home. We are also thrilled to align with Ben Silverman’s Electus as Ben is a visionary in the television, digital and branded entertainment worlds. His mastery of distribution and sponsor relations coupled with our hands-on development and producing experience will allow us to establish DiGa as a formidable content studio."

"Tony and I have been working closely together at MTV for the past several years so it is a natural transition for us to become partners in this new venture," Gateley added. "We are fans of content that makes a cultural impact—whether it’s a series, a book or a film. That was our philosophy at MTV and we will strive to do the same at DiGa – to create quality content that resonates in pop culture."

Electus will retain exclusive distribution rights to all content and programming produced by the company, with global distribution to be handled by Electus’s newly launched distribution arm, run by Chris Philip.

"Tony and Liz are two of the most talented and sought-after creators and show producers in the entertainment industry," said Silverman, CEO and founder of Electus. "With their dual expertise, experience developing and producing hit shows and their relationships in the community, DiGa will be a huge asset to Electus and a continued creative force in the industry."