MUMBAI: US producer and network executive David Janollari, who has shepherded shows like ?Friends? is setting up a new production company in an exclusive deal with Universal Television, it was announced by Universal Television executive VP Bela Bajaria.

Bajaria said, "Our goal is to make deals with the best creative producers in our business and David Janollari exemplifies this. Not only have I had the pleasure of working with him when he was a producer in the trenches, but he also has experience as an executive at three different networks which gives him added insight into the complexities and ever-changing programming needs of our industry at this moment. We?re thrilled to welcome him to the Universal Television family."

Janollari was most recently MTV head of programming and prior to that was WB Network president. As a producer, he?s responsible for more than a dozen shows across the broadcast and cable spectrum.

Janollari said, "The opportunity to work with Bela, Jen Salke, Bob Greenblatt and all of the creative people at Universal Television - some of whom I have known for the better part of two decades - is what I?m really looking forward to. I?m very excited about returning to producing again after nearly 10 years on the network side and hopefully supplying attention-getting new shows to all of the networks."

Greenblatt said, "We had a very satisfying and successful producing partnership and I know first-hand how incredible David is in the creative process. He?s one of the best producers I?ve ever worked with and I?m thrilled to be back in business with him at our studio. When he left MTV it became my goal to talk him back into producing again."

MUMBAI: MTV?s musical reality show Coke Studio@MTV is set to return with its third season. The channel introduced the ?leap FROG to Coke Studio@MTV? initiative, which gives young musical talent an opportunity to contest for a coveted spot in the renowned show.

?leap FROG to Coke Studio@MTV? is a precursor to season 3 of the popular music show. It is a venture between Coke Studio@MTV and Blue Frog and will take place at the latter in Mumbai and Delhi respectively.

The event provides a platform for bands performing independent music to get a chance to fast track their way to glory. The idea announces the return of Coke Studio@MTV Season 3 and also sets to scout for young talent.

Coke Studio@MTV is produced and broadcast by Viacom 18 in association with Coca Cola India Pvt Ltd. The show has had a successful run of season 1 and season 2 which were aired on MTV India, Colors and MTV India, Doordarshan (national) respectively.

MTV India EVP and business head Aditya Swamy said, "As we curate the show, we are always looking to present artists that are below the collective conscience. This platform gives us a window into the growing Indi music scene from where we have found some incredible talent in the past. Being a platform that discovers and supports young talent is in the DNA of MTV. It?s this very aspect of discovery that makes the show exciting for the viewers as well. So I am looking forward to hearing some fresh new music".

Building on the phenomenal success of season 2 of the series that captured the imagination of Indian audiences with twelve breakthrough producers and over 200 incredible musicians, this year?s edition of Coke Studio@MTV will take the musical journey to the next level.

Talking about the initiative, Coca Cola India integrated marketing communications director Wasim Basir said, "The adulation from the audience propelled us to take the show to the new level, and for the first time, open up the platform to music aspirants through the ?leap FROG to Coke Studio@MTV? initiative. We hope to see a wide cross-section of bands from all over the country come forth and ?Open Happiness? by joining Coca-Cola in its journey to inspire and provoke innumerable moment of happiness through its flagship music property, Coke Studio."

Talking about the association, Blue Frog MD Simran Mulchandani says, "Since its opening in Mumbai and Delhi, blue FROG revolutionised the live music scene by creating a stage that gave artists of all genres and styles a chance to perform in the two sweetest sounding venues in the country. ?leap FROG To Coke Studio@MTV? goes several steps further: it will discover new talent and create opportunities for budding musicians by giving them a chance to compete for a spot on the hugely successful Coke Studio@MTV. It has the potential of becoming the largest platform for artist discovery in India and being a part of this initiative is a huge milestone."

MUMBAI: Thailand?s MCot has entered into a strategic alliance with Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Asia and appleTool Co. Ltd, a local general entertainment content provider and subsidiary of VR1 Media Group, to collaborate on production, licensing, distribution and live events for MTV Thailand.

This follows an announcement last week on an exclusive licensing agreement between VIMN and appleTool to bring back MTV Thailand to its Thai fans. At a signing ceremony in front of Thai media and trade partners, MCot also announced a licensing agreement with VR1 Media Group to offer a Nickelodeon branded block on MCOT?s Modernine that will launch on 22 June.

The MTV Thailand channel will officially launch on 1 May 2013 and reach over 10 million households (approximately 50 per cent of total TV households in the country). The channel will be distributed on C-band satellite and on Ku-band satellite, which provides access to True Visions? 2 million Pay-TV subscriber base through its Freeview Pack on Channel 59, and on C-band satellite. Plans for MTV Thailand include local productions, on-ground events and an enhanced range of programs specially catered for the Thai youth market, including the "MTV VJ Hunt" for Thailand.

The selected MTV VJs will become the extension of the brand?s personality in Thailand, present MTV Thailand?s original productions, and introduce viewers to local and international talents. The plan is to fully localize MTV Thailand - made in Thailand for Thai viewers.

Mcot president Dr Anek Permvongseni said, "I am delighted we are joining hands with appleTool, a strong local content producer, who will be responsible for the localisation of MTV Thailand. This is a ground-breaking alliance that has not been done in the Thai media industry and will really bring us to the forefront of local content production. Look out for more to come, including a move towards digitisation."

"VIMN brings expertise in creating youth-oriented programming, brand strength and production expertise into the mix. Furthermore, we will be bringing Nickelodeon to Modernine. I am confident of the success of this strategic alliance that really strengthens our channels? line-up for our audiences," he added.

VIMN Asia MD and executive VP Indra Suharjono said, "This strategic alliance will give our content a presence that no other non-Thai channel has today. We will be the widest distributed international channel in Thailand as we will be across all major platforms, including True Visions, PSI C-band, and DTV.

"Mcot?s over 60-year history and dominance in the Thai media market makes them a logical and strong partner and we have certainly fulfilled our on-going strategy to extend the coverage of both MTV and Nickelodeon brands across Asia, especially in a fast-growing market like Thailand.

"We are just as thrilled that we can bring the Nickelodeon experience onto Modernine, where Thai kids can now undoubtedly connect with their beloved characters on Nickelodeon."

VR1 Media Group CEO Byrd Kulpong Bunnag said, "We look to build an exceptional platform for the creation and delivery of great music and entertainment for the Thai youth.

"Our collaboration with such an iconic youth entertainment brand like MTV represents an opportunity for local talents and youths to engage each other as we create a channel that features some of the very best of MTV for Thai millennials."

The launch of MTV Thailand and the Nickelodeon branded block represent an opportunity for the three parties? business partners, including advertisers, record labels, the talent community and multiplatform distributors.