Marielle Zuccarelli

TV Real Weekly, October 8, 2008

Senior VP, International Sales

GRB Entertainment

When faced with the harsh economic realities of today, viewers often look to lifestyle programming for tips and tricks on improving certain areas of their lives, and GRB Entertainment has a slate of five new HD series that fit the bill. “The lifestyle genre represents one of the hottest programming trends,” says Marielle Zuccarelli, GRB’s senior VP of international sales. “Viewers want to watch programming that they connect with or dream about, whether it’s about travel, therapy, cooking, home makeovers…they want to experience life through entertainment, and our shows allow viewers to do exactly this!”

In these cash-strapped times, programming that can transport viewers to far-off places without them having to shell out the cash to do so are particularly appealing. Providing a glimpse into beautiful locales across the globe is Wish You Were Here. From thermal springs in Budapest to a snow safari in Lapland, this 13×30-minute series showcases a range of exotic destinations. Duet continues the idea of globe trekking, as it pairs up renowned chefs from different cultures in the same kitchen. Cities such as Istanbul, Bangkok, Rome and Marrakesh are explored in Market Value, which looks at the flea markets, bazaars and indoor and outdoor markets of different locations. Adding a spiritual spin on the travel genre is Life-Changing Encounters. The 13×30-minute series explores the art of meditation, holistic healing and the quest for enlightenment, as world-renowned teachers work toward total transformation of spirit, mind and body.

Another program that is quite relevant to the current times is Alter Eco, which focuses on ways to live a more green lifestyle. Presented by Adrian Grenier of HBO’s Entourage, the 13×1-hour series features a team of green activists and experts who “green-over” environments such as businesses, schools, homes and events. The show also features food and gardening tips, along with hip and create ways to make the shift toward a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Coming to the market with such a strong slate is something that Zuccarelli, a Cannes native, is particularly proud of, since she herself is responsible for all sales, acquisitions, marketing, PR, legal and servicing for GRB’s international distribution department. This may seem like a daunting task, but Zuccarelli embraces the challenge and says that she has been well supported. “I honestly love every aspect of my job and feel very fortunate to work for Gary Benz, the CEO, president and founder of GRB Entertainment. Gary has always given me the tools that I need to execute, and his entrepreneurial spirit and ability to shift towards necessary changes in the international marketplace has afforded me a great opportunity.”

Having this strong foundation has been key for Zuccarelli, as she positions GRB to take on the challenges that lie ahead. “As an entrepreneur at heart, I always like to think out of the box and find ways to continue to grow our division,” she says. “Today’s independent distribution market is a tough business, and companies must be resourceful in order to create and maximize revenue streams. Two years ago we were receiving less and less programming to distribute internationally from our production arm. Our division was suffering, but rather than look at this as an obstacle, I immediately recognized this as a tremendous opportunity. Subsequently, I created an acquisition department in order to bolster our programming. I’m extremely proud of this accomplishment, as we’ve now grown our international division from distributing 800 hours of programming to over 1,300 hours of programs in two short years. We have forged strong business relationships with producers around the world.”

These partnerships include companies such as Ananey Communication, which owns and represents more than 19 channels in Israel. GRB also recently announced a new partnership with Abu Dhabi-based real-estate developers HYDRA Properties, the producer of the series Hydra Executives.

“New opportunities are around every corner, and the sky is the limit for us,” says Zuccarelli. “In addition, I fully recognize that one person alone cannot grow a company. I have an excellent team in place and I empower each one of them to execute to the best of their abilities and contribute to the growth of our department.”