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WirelessDevNet.com Press Release
Zone Mobile's Made For Mobile Horror Series
London, 2nd November – Zonemedia's innovative Zone Mobile division has brokered a deal with Amp’d Mobile in the US to exclusively carry the first ever made for mobile horror series When Evil Calls, it was announced today by Tanya Gugenheim, Chief Business Development and New Media Officer, Zonemedia.
Amp’d Mobile, America’s leading mobile entertainment provider has a youth oriented audience which will be able to access the series through streaming individual episodes on an ala carte or “cable package” basis.
When Evil Calls consists of 20 x 2 minute ‘mobisodes’ which have been written and directed by horror supremo Johannes Roberts (Forest of the Damned, Darkhunters) with each two minute episode having been shot expressly for mobile devices. When Evil Calls is produced by hot new production team Pure Grass Films, a company set up in 2005 by Ben Grass, formerly a senior executive at Sony Pictures in London. Ben Grass, Managing Director of Pure Grass Films commented “We are thrilled at the way the series has turned out – the special effects are awesome, and the short episode structure really creates a first in horror!”
The series is also now available on general release through the Zone Horror WAP site and all major UK mobile operators. Although the series has been specifically created for mobile devices, the horror drama is multiplatform convergent, enabling the material to be used for digital broadcast, IPTV, VoD, iPod and other new media applications as required.
When Evil Calls centres on the mysterious appearance of a text message that grants the students at Willburn Hall their wildest desires. A-cup Alice wants bigger breasts, until her cup runneth over in an explosive mathematics class. Hilary would give her right arm to lose weight – and the blades of a kitchen waste disposal unit oblige. One by one, Willburn’s students learn a lethal lesson: be careful what you wish for.
When Evil Calls features a stellar international cast including Jennifer Lim (Hostel, Rogue Trader), Dominique Pinon (Amelie, Delicatessen, Alien: Resurrection), Chris Barrie (Red Dwarf, The Brittas Empire, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider), Rick Warden (Band of Brothers, Rome), Oscar Pearce (Puffball, Resident Evil), Sean Brosnan (Robinson Crusoe), Lois Winstone (Last Orders), Victoria Aitken and model Vikki Blows.
“Original made-for-mobile content has proven to be one of the breakthrough categories on Amp’d,” said Seth Cummings, SVP, Content Development & Programming, Ampd Mobile. “Our lead in debuting innovative mobile-specific series, such as When Evil Calls, is a significant factor to why Amp’d Mobile is the runaway leader in the wireless data ARPU category.”
Tanya Gugenheim commented, "We are very excited to launch this original series for mobile users in the US. We're sure Amp’d Mobile customers will find When Evil Calls a "must have" over the Halloween period and beyond."
About Zonemedia
Based in London, Zonemedia is one of the leading international broadcasters, distributors and representatives of thematic television channels. The company was founded in 1991 and today has 18 offices and studios throughout Europe, the United States, Asia and Latin America. Zonemedia owns and operates eight thematic channels: Zone Reality, Zone Reality Extra, Zone Europa, Zone Romantica, Zone Club, Zone Horror, Zone Thriller and Zone Fantasy, which are broadcast in over 125 countries in 22 languages, with over 250 million paying subscribers. In addition, Zonemedia has a successful channel representation business and currently represents over 30 international channels from such companies as Viacom, Turner, Hallmark, MTV, Discovery and Eurosport. Zonemedia also has a program distribution business and continues to acquire formats, series and specials from leading producers around the world. Zonemedia is 90% owned by chellomedia, a division of Liberty Global, Inc. (NASDAQ: LBTYA, LBTYB, LBTYK).
Liberty Global is the leading international cable operator offering advanced video, voice and Internet-access services to connect its customers to the world of entertainment, communications and information. As of June 30, 2006, Liberty Global operated state-of-the-art broadband communications networks that served approximately 13 million customers in 17 countries, principally located in Europe, Japan, Chile, and Australia. Liberty Global’s operations also include significant media and programming businesses such as Jupiter TV in Japan and Chellomedia in Europe.
About Pure Grass Films
Pure Grass Films is a leading producer of made for mobile video entertainment. The company was founded in London in 2005 by Ben Grass, formerly a senior executive at Sony Pictures. Pure Grass work with top film talent, and leading brands. Strategic advisers to Pure Grass Films include Damian Lewis (star of Band of Brothers and partner at Picture Farm); Roger Vakharia (former Intel MD responsible for Digital Entertainment) and David Chermont (former number one rated media sales specialist at Merrill Lynch).
The company work with top film-makers to create outstanding mobile video shows. For When Evil Calls, Pure Grass have teamed with top horror director, Johannes Roberts who previously directed horror icon Tom Savini in cult hit Forest of the Damned (2005) and Dominique Pinon in Darkhunters (2004). His films have been distributed by Warner Brothers and Colombia Tri Star in over 40 countries.
About Ampd Mobile
Amp’d Mobile is the first integrated mobile entertainment company for youth, young professionals and early adopters, and the only 3G carrier in the US specifically targeting that demographic. By leveraging the power of broadband wireless (EVDO), Amp’d Mobile offers traditional services such as voice and text within a completely fresh user interface designed specifically for the “mobile graduate” and third-generation (3G) technology. With a myriad of customizable options to meet each person’s individual needs, as well as strategic alliances with top entertainment properties, such as MTVN and Universal Music Group, Amp’d Mobile brings a more relevant, personal experience to the wireless lifestyle with unique music, video, community, entertainment, sports and gaming offerings divided into various channels for quick and easy access. Amp’d Mobile is offered nationwide and more information can be found at www.ampd.com.
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