Search form

DIC Ent. & Thomopoulos Form Promise Media Prods. for Christian & Secular Markets

DIC Ent. and Thomopoulos Prods. have joined forces to launch Promise Media Prods., a new venture focused on developing, marketing and distributing properties for children and families under the positive value-based Promise Media brand for faith-based and secular markets.

Promise Media Prods. will develop original live-action and animated Promise Media-branded content, as well as acquire properties to distribute across film, television, home entertainment, new media and consumer products platforms. Promise Media Prods. will develop comprehensive licensing and merchandising campaigns as well as build an online community to reach an audience interested in positive value entertainment.

The Promise Media-branded content will incorporate virtues, such as faith, hope, charity, prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance, to create entertaining and inspirational product that ranges from an animated version of BLACK BEAUTY to a classic remake of BEN HUR and an original live-action theatrical production, ANGEL FLIGHT FOR LIFE. The programming will be skewed to avoid all gratuitous sex and violence and will offer caregivers a safe environment to entertain and inform children.

The multi-billion dollar market for positive values entertainment continues to rapidly grow, and Andy and I recognized a tremendous opportunity in this underserved marketplace to create and deliver high-quality product that resonates with faith-based values, said Tony Thomopoulos, president, Thomopoulos Prods.. DIC has built a solid reputation in the brand management of family and childrens properties, and I look forward to working with Andy and his team to develop unique entertaining and inspirational family fare.

We know there is a vast demand for content that showcases positive values and celebrates the triumph of the human spirit, and we plan to apply our entertainment and consumer products expertise to promote positive values for kids, added Andy Heyward, DIC chairman/ceo. Tony is a respected industry veteran whose patina of quality and stature of his career is unparalleled, and we plan to set the gold standard in this market with the Promise Media label.

Promise Media Prods. is forming an advisory board to be comprised of leading media experts and educators who can develop program guidelines that ensure positive values are incorporated into the content. The board will include world-renowned clinical psychologist/author/leadership consultant Dr. Henry Cloud, who has devoted his time to spreading principals of hope and life change through speaking, writing and the media. President of Cloud-Townsend Resources, Cloud has produced and conducted hundreds of public seminars around the country speaking on marriage, parenting, personal growth and spirituality.

Promise Media Prods.' development slate includes:

A return to the literary roots of Lew Wallaces novel, BEN-HUR, A TALE OF THE CHRIST, in a richly animated film that revitalizes the classic story of one mans journey from loss and betrayal to forgiveness and salvation.

ANGEL, FLIGHT FOR LIFE is a feature film based on a true story of how a loving father, restricted by his financial limitations and reeling from a devastating loss, must rely on the generosity and ingenuity of his small town community to provide the miracle that will save his gravely ill daughter and renew his faith.

The live-action childrens DVD series, ZAKLAND, produced in association with Jay Silverman Prods., showcases the multi-talented Zak Norman, an award-winning musical performer/writer. ZAKLAND entertains, inspires and encourages young viewers to explore the world through the magic of their imaginations.

Based on the illustrated childrens book, SOPHIE AND SAM, by Tori Cloud and rooted in the principles of the bestselling book, BOUNDARIES, by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend, THE ANIMATED ADVENTURES OF SOPHIE AND SAM delivers fun, often comical, lessons on how to set and keep boundaries.

THE JAMMIES OF HARMONYVILLE, a television series produced in association with Believe Ent., is an innovative series utilizing original music and CGI animation to teach valuable life lessons while introducing young audiences to a wide range of musical style.

The animated comedy/adventure, NOAHS HOPE, stars Noah, a hip, 19-year-old scientist, and his animal friends, who are concerned about environmental issues, such as global warming, deforestation, pollution, etc. To prove to the animals that theres still hope, Noah piles the whole furry/scaly/feathered crew into his eco-bus and takes them on a road trip across America, seeking out real life conservationists who make a difference in their communities.

BLACK BEAUTY, an animated version of Anna Sewells classic novel, encompasses its universal and timeless message that all animals deserve to be treated with consideration and respect.

Thomopoulos is recognized leader in the motion picture and television industries for his innovation and achievements. Thomopoulos Prods. is an independent production company of both motion pictures and television programs.

Thomopoulos spent 12 years of his career at ABC, moving progressively to the position of president of ABC Broadcast Group. In 1986, he was named chairman of United Artists Pictures and supervised the production of blockbuster films, such as RAIN MAN and JAMES BOND. From 1991 to 1995, Thomopoulos was president of Amblin Television, a division of Amblin Ent., and was responsible for the original placement of NBCs highly acclaimed program, ER. In 1995, he joined International Family Ent. Inc. (IFE) and oversaw all aspects of programming for The Family Channel. Thomopoulos was named ceo of MTM Ent. Inc., a subsidiary of IFE, and was also responsible for all aspects of MTM Television and MTM Distribution. He served as chairman/ceo of Media Arts Group, a NYSE company, from 2001 to 2004.

DIC Ent. (www.dicentertainment.com), a leading children's entertainment company, is a full-service studio dedicated to creating, developing, producing, distributing, marketing and merchandising family-based intellectual properties. DIC has distinguished itself by building one of the largest libraries of U.S. animation with more than 2,800 half-hours of programming. DIC and AOLs kids online destination KOL have formed a co-production partnership that will launch the new branded kids programming block, KOLs Saturday Morning Secret Slumber Party for CBS.

DIC has developed strategic partnerships with key domestic and international broadcast partners throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and Australia. DIC recently announced the acquisition of Copyright Promotions, a Pan-European licensing agency that represents the licensing rights of a broad portfolio of world-renowned companies, including DreamWorks Animation, MGM, Marvel, Sony, Twentieth Century Fox, Viacom and The Football Assoc. DIC is headquartered in Burbank, California. with offices in New York, Paris and London.

Tags