Kimberly Rubin Signs Exclusive Multiyear Production Agreement With Team EntertainmentNoted Producer of ABC's Hit Audrey Hepburn Biopic to Join TEAM's Long-Form Division; TEAM Options Rubin's First Project, "The Sinatra Files," Based on the Book by T -- 9:38 AM EDT
LOS ANGELES, Oct 19, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Accomplished prime-time television movie producer Kimberly Rubin has signed an exclusive production agreement with TEAM Entertainment, the U.S. production arm of TEAM Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: TMTV) (Neuer Markt:TME) to produce long-form television projects for worldwide distribution, it was announced today by Drew S. Levin, TEAM Chairman and CEO and James Waldron, President of TEAM Entertainment. TEAM International Distribution will handle all global sales outside of the U.S. on pictures produced and financed under Rubin's Zenna Tree banner, as well as projects co-produced and financed by TEAM.
With the launch of this deal, Rubin not only brings with her a wealth of network experience, she brings to TEAM numerous exciting projects already in development. Relative to the announcement, Rubin will executive produce TEAM's first dramatic telefilm, "While I Was Gone", based on the novel penned by acclaimed author Sue Miller ("Inventing the Abbotts", "The Good Son"). The New York Times best-selling novel was recently optioned by TEAM and was featured as part of Oprah Winfrey's renowned Book of the Month Club. "While I Was Gone" offers an intimate look at how the past resurfaces to haunt our lives.
Team has also optioned the controversial "The Sinatra Files: The Secret Dossier", which Rubin brought to Team and is attached to executive produce. Penned by noted journalist brothers, Tom Kuntz of The New York Times and Phil Kuntz of The Wall Street Journal, "Sinatra Files" mines the recently released FBI dossier on the famous crooner, covering decades of bureau surveillance and investigation ordered by J. Edgar Hoover on his belief that Sinatra had mob or Communist ties.
"Kim is a rising star who has already proven herself to be a highly successful and innovative producer," added Levin. "We welcome her to the TEAM long-form division and are confident that given the full extent of her talent, we can look forward to prolific creative output and a long and rewarding relationship with her," concluded Levin.
"Kim has an inherent talent and ability to deliver telefilms and mini-series that have strong commercial and global appeal," said Waldron. "This has been demonstrated by her network roster of achievements this year alone. Her creative approach to material and established rapport with talent are what makes her unique and set her apart.
Skilled at turning the lives of entertainers into successful films for television, Rubin most recently served as executive producer of "Growing Up Brady", an adaptation of the best-selling memoirs by original "Brady Bunch" cast member, Barry Williams. The two-hour movie was produced for NBC through Zenna Tree Entertainment, Rubin's own production company. She also executive produced "Audrey Hepburn" the ABC three-hour TV film biography about the life of Audrey Hepburn. The mini-series, which premiered earlier this year to impressive ratings, starred Jennifer Love Hewitt. It was a Robert Greenwald Production in association with Endemol Entertainment.
While working with Greenwald's production company, Rubin served as the executive producer on the NBC television movie, "The Secret,"starring Della Reese and Ozzie Davis, one of the top ten highest rated original TV movies of 1997. She also executive produced "Blood on Her Hands"; Emmy-nominated "To Love, Honor and Deceive"; "The Secret Path", which was the third highest rated original television film of 1999; "Our Guys", based on the best-selling book; and "Sharing the Secret".
TEAM Communications Group, Inc. currently owns and distributes over 4,000 hours of programming worldwide, in addition to producing a wide variety of programming for leading U.S., German and international broadcasters. TEAM maintains offices in Los Angeles, Munich (through its TEAM Entertainment Germany (GmbH) and London (through its TEAM Dandelion Operations). Its shares trade on NASDAQ-NMS (TMTV) and on the German Neuer Markt (TME).
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this news release (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by TEAM Communications Group, Inc.) contains statements that are forward looking such as statements relating to consummation of the transaction, anticipated future revenues of the companies and success of current product offerings. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of TEAM Communications Group, Inc. For a description of additional risks and uncertainties, please refer to TEAM Communications Group, Inc. filings with the Securities.
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