The newly launched Storyville Entertainment has inked a first-look partnership with Converge Media Group, a management, production and branded entertainment company that launched in 2013 with co-founders J.B. Smoove, Rick Dorfman, Conan Smith and Adam Benowitz.
Under the pact, which is the first co-production deal for both companies, Storyville will develop and produce unscripted and branded opportunities for Converge’s client roster, which includes Smoove, Rich Vos, Lynne Koplitz, Pete Dominic, Chris DiStefano and Carly Aquillino. Producers Ryan Ling (Guy Gode, Girl Code) and P.J. Morrison (Impractical Jokers), as well as writer Frank Santopadre (The View), are also part of the roster.
Storyville’s Betsy Schecter, Smoove, Dorfman, Smith and Benowitz will serve as executive producers on all sales under the agreement.
The news comes as Storyville is currently developing several unscripted and scripted projects for various cable networks, including A&E, TNT and Animal Planet, and is in production on a MTV International music docuseries. Through the deal, Converge is hoping to create targeted content opportunities, utilizing its talent roster more effectively, following on the success producing Four Courses With J.B. Smoove for MSG.
“It’s an ideal business venture for both parties – Converge brings to the table brand-name comedic talent, and in return, we can offer first-rate development, a production infrastructure and access to both domestic and international television distribution,” said Schecter, president of Storyville.
“Our goal is to connect the creative dots between talent, content and distribution across traditional television, digital initiatives and branded entertainment,” said Dorfman, partner and co-founder of Converge Media. “Our partnership with a leading producer like Betsy gives us a much wider range of opportunity to service our talent as well as our corporate clients.”
