11 February, 2009
LOS ANGELES (February 11, 2009)—Jeff Collins has opened his own production shingle COLLINS AVENUE, in a partnership arrangement with London-based ContentFilm and its television distribution arm Fireworks International. Over the five-year deal ContentFilm will invest in Collins Avenue in return for an equity stake and Fireworks International will act as international distributor on Collins Avenue product. Collins has tapped Casandra Wasaff to be director of development and Kamico Drakes as development coordinator for the new venture.
“This is a great time to establish a US reality production company with strong international distribution. US reality programming is getting stronger as the demand for great reality ideas increases in the domestic market alongside a growing appetite in international markets. The world wants to watch what we make and that is truly exciting,” said Collins. “After a decade of running shows and companies for other people, it’s time I take the reins. Joining the ContentFilm Group was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. The access they provide to international markets is unsurpassed and these guys move very fast—I like that! They share my vision and agree that now is the time to invest and grow.”
Content’s CEO, John Schmidt commented, “For years we have been big fans of Jeff’s shows, and as we got to know him, we were greatly impressed with his energy, enthusiasm, and commercial instincts. As we are building the non-fiction side of Fireworks International, the opportunity to invest and join Jeff in starting his company presented a wonderful opportunity. As Jeff launches new productions we look forward to working with him on international sales and co-productions, and we will help him build his new business in any way we can.”
For the past several years Jeff Collins oversaw the US office of September Films, serving as the show runner for three seasons on W.E. TV’s highest rated series “BrideZillas” seen in over 150 territories around the world, as well as the new A&E series “The Exterminators” debuting Feb. 4th. He also served as an Executive Consultant on “The Pregnant Man” for Discovery, which was the highest rated show of ’08 for Discovery Networks. In addition Collins also served as the show runner for VH1’s “ I Know My Kid’s A Star”, “How Clean Is Your House?” for Lifetime, “Survival of the Richest” for the WB, the variety show “The Pet Shop with Andy Kindler,” “Design Invasion,” “Friends or Lovers,” and the “Crashing With” franchise for MTV. Beginning his career on the hit show “Entertainment Tonight,” Jeff was soon promoted to Vice President of LGE, a production company under the wing of Paramount Domestic Television, for which he produced a number of successful specials and documentaries.
Collins is represented by APA.
About ContentFilm plc
ContentFilm plc is a London, Los Angeles and Toronto based film and television sales company. Content’s television division, Fireworks International owns and controls a significant library of Page 2 television rights and assets, totaling over 3,000 hours, including the original Fireworks library and the CBC library. In addition, Fireworks International represents the Harmony Gold library. The combined catalogue includes new drama series such as, The Border, Heartland, The Wild Roses and non-fiction series, such as Special Ops Mission, Steven and Chris, and The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos. The company’s strong digital sales division acquires and distributes short form digital content whilst also exploiting digital rights to the Company’s combined film and television library.
ContentFilm plc also operates a film sales company, ContentFilm International and its library of over 200 feature films, and Content owns 50% of the U.S. home entertainment distributor, Peace Arch Home Entertainment.
Media contacts Ryan Chingcuangco +1 310 888 4200
Jennifer Brinkworth +44 207 851 6500
