marblemedia announces development partnership with Cirque du Soleil Média

marblemedia and Cirque du Soleil Média to develop three television properties

BANFF, AB, June 9, 2014 /CNW/ - Hot on the heels of marblemedia's primetime expansion announcement, the Canadian leader in cross-platform production and distribution and Cirque du Soleil Média, the joint venture between the world-renowned Québec-based Cirque du Soleil and Bell Media, have announced at the Banff World Media Festival a development deal which will see the two companies develop three projects including a mini-series, a one hour drama and a live-television musical event.

Building its values on a foundation of audacity, creativity and imagination, Cirque du Soleil is known internationally for its captivating and high quality entertainment experiences. In this partnership, Cirque du Soleil Média and marblemedia will work together to develop properties for television that extend the Cirque du Soleil brand beyond their one-of-a-kind live show productions.

"This partnership is a natural synergy for two companies who are known internationally for telling stories and reaching audiences in unconventional ways," said Matthew Hornburg, Co-CEO and Executive Producer, marblemedia. "Leveraging our presence in L.A. and our international contacts, our goal is to find innovative showrunners to help us create characters and worlds that are enchanting, unique and astonishing."

"We are thrilled to be working with marblemedia on developing these exciting projects, and believe that our distinctive ways of thinking will create everlasting stories that will resonate with audiences worldwide," said Jacques Méthé, President, Cirque du Soleil Média. "Our goal with this partnership is not to televise our live performances, but rather create properties in the primetime scripted arena that will elevate the genre by drawing from Cirque's creative vision."

About marblemedia

marblemedia develops, produces and distributes engaging multiplatform entertainment experiences for audiences around the world. With nearly 200 hours of programming distributed in more than 200 territories, marblemedia has been honoured by Playback with the 2013 Outstanding Achievement Award and named Transmedia Producer of the Year (2011) by Playback, marble has won a Canadian Screen Award, two Gemini Awards, been nominated for an Emmy® Award and was identified as a Next Generation Content Producer (2009) by The Hollywood Reporter. The company owns a 50-acre production ranch and operates a Toronto-based studio, home to 50 staff. The company was co-founded by Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg in 2001. Experience marblemedia at www.marblemedia.com.

About Cirque du Soleil Média

Cirque du Soleil Média is a long-term joint venture between Cirque du Soleil and Bell Media with a mission to develop new and original media content specifically for television, film, digital, and gaming platforms. Headquartered in Montreal, the company develops entertainment projects for sale and licensing around the world, leveraging Cirque du Soleil's creative resources and infrastructure with Bell Media's production experience, media platforms, and diverse distribution capabilities.

About Bell Media

With passion and an unrelenting commitment to excellence, Bell Media creates content and builds brands that entertain, inform, engage, and inspire audiences through the platforms of their choice. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, out-of-home advertising, and digital media. Bell Media owns 30 local television stations led by CTV, Canada's #1 television network; 35 specialty channels, including TSN and RDS, Canada's most-watched specialty channels in English and French; four pay TV services, including The Movie Network and Super Écran; and is managing shareholder of premium pay-per-view service Viewers Choice Canada. Bell Media is also Canada's largest radio broadcaster, with 107 licensed radio stations in 55 markets across Canada. Bell Media owns Astral Out-of-Home, one of Canada's most dynamic and innovative out-of-home advertising companies with a network of more than 9,500 advertising faces in Québec, Ontario and British Columbia. Bell Media also operates more than 200 websites, delivers TV Everywhere with its innovative GO video streaming services, including CTV GO, TMN GO, and Bravo GO, and owns Dome Productions Inc., a multi-platform production company. Bell Media is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. For more on Bell Media, please visit www.bellmedia.ca.

SOURCE marblemedia