For Immediate Release
IRV HOLENDER TAKES LEAD AT THE FREMANTLE CORPORATION
(Toronto, ON – April 3, 2008): The Fremantle Corporation is pleased to announce that respected industry veteran Irv Holender has taken the helm at the company as director and principal. A pioneer in worldwide entertainment licensing and distribution with decades of experience handling major licenses in all media in over 80 countries, Holender will attend MIP introducing a new slate of programming for The Fremantle Corporation.
Over the course of his career, Irv Holender, serving in a high-level capacity, has engaged in licensing for 20th Century Fox, Paramount and WB’s Loonie Tunes and has been an executive producer for over 600 hours of programming. While at Ziv / Lorimar, he handled such shows as DALLAS, FALCON CREST and KNOTS LANDING. Holender is a firm believer in owning copyright and has been acquiring and exploiting feature libraries including Allied Artists, Artists Releasing Corp. and Film Ventures International, Inc. among others as well as digitizing and retrofitting classic series and packaging contemporary concert series. Holender was among the first to broadcast PAY-PER-VIEW concert events from Caesar’s Palace. In addition, Holender was a pioneer of NAPTE and founding member of AFMA (American Film Marketing Association) and one of the first to enter co-productions with Japan and the US for animated programming.
“We are delighted to have Irv join the board to run the company. Irv knows everybody has an impeccable reputation and possesses all the skills and experience necessary to stimulate growth in this exciting new digital multi-platform landscape,” state principals Marshall Kesten and Randy Zalken.
At MIP, Mr. Holender will be leading a team of six, searching out strategic co-production partners, broadcast, broadband and wireless interest for a variety of projects and bringing twenty-five first-run movies to market. The Fremantle Corporation will also showcase ANASH AND THE LEGACY OF SUNROCK, a new highly-stylized animated series; BIKINI BEACH, a sizzling, sexy, smile-inducing strip and; WRESTLING TITANS, a “no holds barred” arena sports package. The company will also bring to MIP, new lifestyle shows, documentaries, specials and the most recent “JACKIE MASON” Comedy Concert event, available in standard definition and HD.
The Fremantle Corporation, founded in 1952 by Paul Talbot, has been a pioneer in international television program distribution. Talbot innovatively introduced the formatting business on a large scale and was instrumental in the success of BAYWATCH which the company later sold off. The Fremantle Corporation will continue to make available such quality shows as the multi Emmy winning specials the “TONY AWARDS” and “KENNEDY CENTER HONORS” as well as ongoing series such as the celebrity makeover strip LOOK-A-LIKE and the Oxygen comedy series GIRLS BEHAVING BADLY.
Now in its 38th successful season, ABC’s ALL MY CHILDREN, has 260 original hours of daytime drama available annually.
Between the library of family classic series, reality, biographies, docs, specials and animation, the newly expanded Fremantle Corporation’s stand in the Riviera (Booth R#35-14) promises to be a bustling, fun-filled space where both new and old friends are always welcome.
The Fremantle Corporation sells to all markets and media worldwide and continues to aggressively pursue quality product either completed, in production, and/or requiring co-production partners.
For more information about The Fremantle Corporation including an extensive list of available programming, please log onto www.fremantlecorp.com.
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For more information, please contact:
Michelle Daides, Publicist, MD Media Inc,
416-573-3960, michelle@mdmediainc.com
Lisa Dunn, VP Sales & Acquisitions, Kaleidoscope Entertainment,
(416) 443-9204 x229, lisadunn@kalent.com