Kinetic introduces Nerd to America

August 26, 2010 by Barry Walsh

Santa Monica-based Kinetic Content has signed an exclusive deal to become the U.S. partner for UK prodco New Entertainment Research & Design, aka Nerd.

Nerd, founded by production and development vets Jago Lee and John Farrar, is backed by chairman Charlie Parsons, creator of the Survivor format and co-founder of Planet 24, the UK prodco behind The Word and The Big Breakfast.

The deal gives Kinetic exclusive rights to all of Nerd’s formats in the USA. The two companies will also work together to co-develop a number of projects for international distribution out of Kinetic’s headquarters.

This is the latest international deal to be sealed by Kinetic, headed by ex-RDF USA CEO Chris Coelen. The new company has also set up partnerships with STV and STV Productions, Channel 4, Ginger Productions and Dutch format house Absolutely Independent.

‘Nerd have an extraordinarily distinctive and commercial point of view backed up by Jago, John and Charlie’s track record,’ said Coelen. ‘We’re thrilled to be able to collaborate with such dynamic creative talent.’

‘Kinetic are a great fit for us – they’re a new, hugely energetic company, combining independence of spirit with a real depth of experience and relationships,’ added Lee and Farrar. ‘Chris has assembled a formidable team of factual and entertainment execs and we can’t wait to work with them.’

The two partners have already begun talking with U.S. broadcasters about various ideas, and they will be launching their first co-created format at MIPCOM in October.

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