Entertainment Industry Market Makers Endeavor Agency and BIG Form Strategic Alliance to Shape the Future of Broadband
Business Wire - February 07, 2000 08:25
ALISO VIEJO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 7, 2000--
Pact Facilitates the Narrowband to Broadband Content Development
Evolution; Endeavor Also Makes Equity Investment in BIG
Endeavor and Broadband Interactive Group (BIG) announced today an exclusive alliance -- the first between a talent and literary agency and a developer of broadband content.
The strategic alliance will direct the migration of Endeavor's top-flight client list to broadband interactivity. The two companies will immediately form an editorial board that will aid in the development of BIG's content and future channels, to shape the evolution of broadband content. Validating BIG's vision and business model, Endeavor is also making an equity investment in BIG.
The deal will combine BIG's access to Broadcom's (Nasdaq:BRCM) next generation interactive television technology with Endeavor's access to content and knowledge of the entertainment industry. New channels, content and programming will appear on BIG's network this year as a result of this partnership. Endeavor's clients are involved in as much as 40 percent of primetime network programming.
"BIG can now leverage Endeavor's expertise and access to the creative community to lead the way in producing the next generation of entertainment for consumers," said Matt Jacobson, CEO of BIG. "In addition, BIG will provide broadband, enhanced TV and rich media capabilities to clients of Endeavor, enabling them to redefine their existing narrowband products and programming, creating the standard for next generation platforms," he added.
"We have been representing BIG for some time now, acting as BIG's agent and facilitating key strategic deals in all areas of entertainment," said Ari Emanuel, a founder and partner of Endeavor. "Our clients have revolutionized popular entertainment and now have access to the broadband space to devote their creative energies."
Marty Adelstein, a partner at Endeavor, added, "There are endless opportunities that exist in new media. However, we found BIG's long-term vision, as it relates to this vast playing field, along with the platform that Henry Nicholas and Henry Samueli have already built, to be the most progressive, innovative and ultimately the most viable company for us to partner with. Together we will be the authoritative leaders in creating and delivering compelling broadband entertainment for consumers."
This month, BIG re-branded its first content channel, now Bluetorch, targeting more than 50 million Gen Y participants and fans (ages 12-24) of skateboarding, wakeboarding, surfing, bodyboarding, snowboarding, inline skating, motocross and BMX. BIG launched its www.bluetorch.com Web site and "Bluetorch Rush Hour TV," which runs one hour-a-day during weekdays on FOX Sports Net. With content created and driven by industry experts, Bluetorch continues to strengthen its leadership in the extreme sports market, leveraging its cross-media network approach.
Terms of Endeavor's equity investment in BIG will not be disclosed.
About Broadband Interactive Group
Founded in October 1999, Broadband Interactive Group (BIG) is building convergence to target different demographics through its cross-media networks of television, print, and Internet media, together with major live events. Its first channel and proof-of-concept is Bluetorch (www.bluetorch.com), aimed at more than 50 million Gen Y participants and fans of skateboarding, bodyboarding, wakeboarding, surfing, snowboarding, inline skating, motocross and BMX. BIG's team is a virtual "who's who" of media and industry experts. BIG also has strategic investment from Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq:BRCM).
About Endeavor
Founded in 1995, Endeavor is an integrated entertainment talent and literary agency that represents some of the most prolific show creators, producers, directors, actors and corporations. The company, which is led by a team of nine partners, all of whom have specific expertise in content development, production and distribution, embraces an innovative approach to marketing and securing deals, one that has placed them among an elite group of expert firms within the entertainment business. Other Internet opportunities that Endeavor has been instrumental in navigating in the film and television industry include recently announced deals with Excite and the Broadband Interactive Group.
CONTACT: Alexander Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
Jennifer Ramsay, 310/996-0652 (for BIG)
jramsay@alexanderogilvy.com
or
BWR an Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide Company
Chrisette Suter, 310/248-6140 (for Endeavor)
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