NEW YORK, May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ben Silverman's multimedia entertainment studio Electus, an operating business of IAC (Nasdaq: IACI), today announced the acquisition of Tim Puntillo's production company Mannahatta Productions whereby Puntillo and Electus will form a new production company, yet to be named. Also announced today is the expansion of Electus' in-house production team with the appointments of Justin Dudek as Electus' Executive In Charge of Production, and Allison Kaz as Head of Casting and Talent.
"Tim is a fantastic creative talent and will be a huge asset to Electus. His experience in creating and producing worldwide franchises aligns perfectly with the global strategy of our company. He will be instrumental in further developing Electus' already robust programming slate," said Chris Grant, CEO of Electus. "Tim's talents, coupled with the detailed production expertise of Justin and the superior casting skills of Allison will be essential to Electus as we continue to grow as a next generation studio."
Tim Puntillo founded Mannahatta Productions, a full service production company that develops and produces unscripted television programming. In this new position, Puntillo will be responsible for producing large format alternative programming that appeals to both domestic and international viewers. His Executive Producing credits include GSN's Friend or Foe and Baggage (2011) hosted by Jerry Springer, STYLE Network's Ruby, which ran for four seasons, NBC's Minute to Win It, and Who's Still Standing. Puntillo has had incredible successes in the international marketplace as well. In 2005, he created and executive produced NBC's hit gameshow Identity, which has aired in over 25 countries worldwide. He is currently Executive Producing the second seasons of Extreme Chef and Chef Hunter for the Food Network, both of which will air summer of 2012. Puntillo started his career as a feature writer, penning Christina Applegate's Brutal Truth in 2000. Puntillo is represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and Sean Marks of Myman Greenspan Fineman Fox Rosenberg & Light, LLP. Evolution Media Capital (EMC) and Marks negotiated the transaction on behalf of Puntillo.
"As a longtime reality showrunner and particularly now as an owner of a production company, I thrive on exciting creative partnerships. When Ben and Chris approached me with the idea of working alongside them, I knew that it was a career opportunity that I simply couldn't pass up," said Tim Puntillo.