Shine Completes Reveille Productions Acquisition
London - Shine today announced it had completed the acquisition of leading US production and distribution company Reveille, which joins the Shine Group of companies.
The deal sees Reveille's senior management team of Chris Grant, Mark Koops, Howard T. Owens and Lee Rierson remain at the company. Reveille founder Ben Silverman left the company last year to become co-Chairman at NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, although he remains a producer on all of the movies and television shows started under his watch.
Reveille's distribution arm re-brands to Shine Reveille with immediate effect, adding an international distribution dimension to the Shine Group which also boasts leading UK producers Kudos, Firefly and Princess Productions. The group companies have worked previously on Reveille formats, with Princess Productions producing Date My Mom for MTV (UK) and Shine being recently commissioned to produce Gladiators for Sky One.
Shine CEO and Chairman, Elisabeth Murdoch said: "Reveille is a unique production company, their creativity, drive and track record in production and distribution is unrivalled in the US and internationally. The business that they have built is universally admired, they are a cultural and commercial fit with us, and I'm excited about the potential that their joining us brings the Shine Group."
"We are thrilled to join forces with Elisabeth Murdoch and the Shine Group to continue the evolution of this incredible company that Ben Silverman created and guided with unparalleled vision," said Lee Rierson, Managing Director Reveille. By combining Reveille's outstanding management team and track record domestically and internationally with Shine's extraordinary strength in the UK, this transaction creates a truly global entertainment powerhouse."
Ben Silverman, co-Chairman at NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios said; "I have known Elisabeth Murdoch as a friend and business visionary for over 13 years, and can�t think of a better partner for Reveille as she continues to grow within the Shine group. Elisabeth and her companies are the perfect global partner for Reveille."
The pre-eminent US independent production company in both scripted and reality programming, Reveille was originally founded by Ben Silverman in 2003. The LA-based firm's scripted hits such as 'Ugly Betty', 'The Office' and 'The Tudors' complement a non-scripted catalogue that also includes worldwide hits 'The Biggest Loser,' 'Date My Mom,' 'Nashville Star' and 'American Gladiators�.
Founded by Elisabeth Murdoch in 2001, the Shine Group is now the fourth largest producer in the UK 1. It consists of Shine, one of the UK's leading independent multi-genre production companies, responsible for such programming as the Emmy-award-winning 'Sugar Rush', 'Masterchef Goes Large', 'The Story of Light Entertainment' and the 'Greatest Britons' awards; leading drama producers Kudos, makers of 'Spooks', 'Tsunami', 'Hustle' and 'Life on Mars'; entertainment specialist Princess Productions, whose extensive slate includes 'The Friday Night Project' and 'The Wright Stuff'; and leading factual programme makers Firefly, whose distinctive programmes have included 'Anatomy for Beginners' and 'Kill It, Cook It, Eat It.'
Jefferies acted as corporate finance advisor to Shine, with Deloitte providing due diligence and accounting services and advice. Legal representation and due diligence was undertaken by O'Melveny & Myers and supervised by Olswangs.
Further information
Patrick Keegan / Cathy Dunkley - Freud Communications (London)
020 3003 6393 / 020 3003 6355
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1 Broadcast Magazine � Independent Production Survey 2007
About Reveille
Founded in March 2002 by Ben Silverman (now Co-Chairman of NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios), Reveille is a leading independent production and distribution company focused on exploiting worldwide intellectual property rights through scripted and alternative television formats. Reveille produces innovative entertainment programming across all television genres such as the award-winning shows "The Office" (NBC), which has received three Emmy Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Television Critics Association Awards, one Golden Globe Award and a Peabody Award; "Ugly Betty" (ABC), winner of three Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award as well as a Peabody Award, an NAACP Image Award and a GLAAD Media Award; and "The Tudors" (Showtime), winner of two Emmy Awards. Reveille also produces "American Gladiators" (NBC) and the upcoming "My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad" (NBC), "The N's Student Body" (The N) and "Eyes on Target" (The History Channel). In addition, the company produces "The Biggest Loser" (NBC); "Nashville Star" (NBC); "Identity" (NBC); "House of Boateng" (Sundance Channel); "30 Days" (FX); "Blow Out" (Bravo); "Bound For Glory" (ESPN); "Date My Mom" (MTV); and "The Restaurant" (NBC). Reveille is the world leader in creating integrated marketing opportunities for leading advertisers while developing alternative financing paradigms. In addition, Reveille distributes its growing library of programming, along with a broad array of programming acquired from independent producers and U.S. networks, to more than 150 countries worldwide through Reveille International. The company also creates, acquires and develops a broad slate of diverse films through its feature film division, Reveille Motion Pictures. Reveille's offices are located in Los Angeles.
