Sophie Ferron, President and Executive Producer of Media Ranch, award-winning format production and distribution company announced they have productions in the pipeline; they brought on two consultants; acquired two unscripted formats from Ireland, and optioned two of their popular factual formats to the USA, Canada and France.
Media Ranch is expanding its reach into two major markets --- the U.K. and English Canada with the addition of two consultants. Rod Rodingo brings his vast connections and experience to ramp up Media Ranch’s U.K. business. He’s held executive positions at Mar Vista, Gaumont, Global Agency and ICM, before starting his company in 2013 - Serendipity Media. He will report to Media Ranch’s Senior Vice President, Tanja van der Goes. Overseeing English Canada’s business development is Owen Kelly. Before launching his company, Antigravity Entertainment, earlier this year, Kelly handled business affairs and financing for some of Canada's leading film and TV producers as well as major Canadian studio films productions.
Two factual Formats were optioned: "Big Love" and "Comedy on the Edge". "Big Love" was optioned to Mustang Productions for French Canada and to 3BMG’s 3 Ball Productions for the USA – as the first deal stemming from the new partnership with ICM. Big Love offers an intimate look into the major challenges many couples experience over the course of a long-term relationship; complacency, unhealthy behaviors and weight struggles – issues that, if neglected, can all lead to disaster. This inspirational and emotional series will follow three couples – each unhappy with their current lifestyles and rapid weight gain – who take on the daunting task of shedding their bad habits and excess pounds, all within eight months, in an attempt to regain themselves and save their relationship.
DR’s entertainment program "Comedy on the Edge" continues its success with an option in France by producers WeMake; and a new season set to premiere in Canada, adapted under the title Still Standing. CBC, Canada’s public broadcaster, announced today that Season 6 of Still Standing will premiere this fall on CBC TV and the free CBC Gem streaming service. The beloved series stars comedian Jonny Harris as he travels across Canada to discover the hidden humor in small towns on the ropes. After immersing himself in the lives of local characters and unearthing the tall tales in these tiny towns, Jonny delivers a rousing original stand-up comedy routine - a toast, not a roast - for the whole community.
Media Ranch also announced the production for another one of its popular formats," The Story Of", which will be produced with Tuvalu Productions in The Netherlands. "The Story of" asks important life questions: where do we come from? what is our shared, common past? and how did we become who we are? Through 10 episodes, the show takes viewers on a fascinating journey from the past and into the present.
Ferron stated: "In these uncertain times, we are grateful at Media Ranch to have been able to stay the course. We’re rising to the challenge in part thanks to the most dedicated and talented team in entertainment history, premium content and fantastic partners. In addition to recent green-lit productions, new acquisitions and distribution deals, we are thrilled to have signed on two new representatives – Rod Rodingo and Owen Kelly - who are helping with our long-term growth. Our recently new QTF slate (Quick Turnaround Formats) are HIGH quality formats with BIG ideas and SHORT prep – have proven to be timely in these challenging months since crucial once productions are back. We hope our colleagues, and the industry as a whole, will be back on track – -and better than ever -- once Covid-19 is under control.”
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