LOS ANGELES – October 8, 2019 – Shopify Studios, the full-service TV and film production house within leading multi-channel commerce platform Shopify has struck development partnerships with two comedy content powerhouses – Abso Lutely Productions, from comedians and founders Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, and founder/producer Dave Kneebone; and JASH, an award-winning production studio (now a division of Group Nine Studios) founded by industry executives Daniel Kellison, Doug DeLuca and Mikey Meyer – to develop unscripted series for television and streaming platforms. Both projects will spotlight entrepreneurial endeavors through varying lenses and comedic approaches.
In development with Abso Lutely Productions (Nathan for You, Comedy Bang! Bang!, Tim and Eric Awesome Show) is Kidsultants (wt), featuring a cast of accomplished and innovative young entrepreneurs from across the country helping struggling businesses find their way to success. With unparalleled entrepreneurial energy and imagination, the kidsultants will address each company’s challenges and bring fresh ideas to the table. Shopify Studios’ Pam Silverstein, Colin McRae and Jason Badal will executive produce the series, alongside the Abso Lutely team.
Meanwhile, Shopify Studios and comedic content house JASH are developing the unscripted comedy series Down to Business (wt), featuring comedians Mark Raterman and Greg Hess (Cook County Social Club). Each episode will see Mark and Greg finally following through on one of the million-dollar ideas they have dreamed up over the years, but have done absolutely nothing about. From traffic tacos to repurposing discarded pistachio shells, Mark and Greg attempt to take each idea from inception through development and roll-out – inspiring entrepreneurs everywhere, in success or failure. Miriam Mintz, Max Broude and Suzanne Kolb will executive produce the series for JASH, with Pam Silverstein and Jason Badal executive producing for Shopify Studios.
“Every entrepreneur knows the challenges that come with building a business, but out of this process often comes humor and the opportunity to celebrate success,” said Sarah North, Head of Shopify Studios. “We want to tell stories about all facets of the entrepreneurial journey and couldn’t be happier to partner with the talented teams at Abso Lutely and JASH.”
About Shopify Studios
Launched in 2019, Shopify Studios is the content house of multi-channel commerce platform Shopify. In partnership with internationally known creators, talent and production companies, Shopify Studios develops, produces and finances an array of content – from long-form series across all platforms to feature documentaries and more – spotlighting entrepreneurial journeys via original, thought-provoking storytelling. Shopify Studios also produces original short to mid-form content for Shopify’s YouTube channel. For more information, visit ShopifyStudios.com.
About JASH
JASH is a leading production and development studio, and part of Group Nine Studios. JASH’s portfolio of work includes creating and distributing digital and linear series, which have been picked up by Comedy Central, Netflix, TBS, Snapchat, MTV, Facebook, YouTube, Amazon, TubiTV, Comcast Watchable and PlutoTV. They have produced award-winning branded entertainment campaigns for Diageo, Chevy, Purina, Dr Pepper, Ford, Hyundai and General Mills among others. Additionally, JASH has played an active role in developing content and custom activations for partners including the Obama White House. The studio was nominated for a 2017 Emmy for the comedy special Sarah Silverman: A Speck of Dust and their work has won the Sundance Short Film Grand Jury Prize. JASH was founded in 2013, as part of YouTube’s Original Channels Initiative, and in 2017 was acquired by Group Nine Media -- the #1 video publisher on mobile in the U.S. [Source: Nielsen Digital Content Ratings, July 2019].
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