Former FremantleMedia Execs Set Up Pop Monkey Productions

LOS ANGELES: Syd Vinnedge has teamed up with Chuck Thomas and Simone Thorogood to create Pop Monkey Productions, which has already secured a development deal with ITV Studios.

Vinnedge is a 35 year veteran of the TV industry. He most recently served as executive producer of The Price is Right for FremantleMedia, and was also instrumental in launching Baywatch, Family Feud, To Tell the Truth, Press Your Luck and Card Sharks. Thomas and Thorogood are former international heads of Participation TV at FremantleMedia UK and creators of the interactive TV format Quizmania. The company will also include Hugh Wright, former director of development at FremantleMedia and Brighter Pictures.

Pop Monkey Productions will specialize in interactive TV, branded entertainment and game-show formats. The company recently sold its first interactive TV format to VH1, a late-night game-show pilot starring Carrie Keagan and Mo Mandel. Pop Monkey also secured a development deal with Los Angeles-based ITV Studios in which ITV has optioned the rights to interactive Participation TV formats for U.S. buyers.

“We’re thrilled and excited to be in business with Syd,” said Thomas. “As the TV business continues to get more competitive and broadcasters look for new revenue streams, we believe our dynamic brand of interactive TV formats where audiences can engage with shows via the web and their phones are finally about to come of age in the U.S., just as they have around the rest of the world”.

Vinnedge commented, “Chuck and Simone are the pioneers of Participation TV and it’s great to be developing shows with them that embrace the convergence of digital media and traditional TV.”