Company to focus on formats and derived IP across all media platforms globally

International television and formats experts Ed Louwerse and Julian Curtis are today announcing the launch of their new independent international distribution company Lineup Industries. The firm will focus on formats and derived IP, and will offer a global, tailored and competitive approach. The Lineup Industries team will work with world renowned partners to innovatively exploit the full value of rights it represents across all media platforms.

Both principals of the company are studio executives with more than 20 years experience in international television distribution and IP management across globally-recognised successes such as Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Big Brother, Dragon’s Den and Deal or No Deal.

Already in negotiations with a number of major companies for both representation and sales deals, which will be announced shortly, Lineup Industries will be attending its inaugural MIPCOM next month with a strong slate of stand-out formats.

Ed Louwerse, co-founder of Lineup Industries said: “In a marketplace increasingly dominated by consolidation there is significant demand for a distributor that has straightforward, impartial processes. As an independent agency we are ideally placed to maximise opportunities for IP owners and free to select and work with the best and most suitable partners globally.”

Julian Curtis, co-founder of Lineup Industries added: “We believe there is a considerable opportunity in the market.  We are a hands-on sales agent that can give creativity more opportunity by offering a bespoke service and strong global experience dealing with corporations, independents and individuals alike. Our size and capabilities also mean that we can also streamline the deal process ensuring a simple, straightforward yet highly-supported operation.”

Lineup Industries founders have a wealth of experience in the international television market. Ed Louwerse was most recently Managing Director and SVP at Sony Pictures Television (SPT) and previously headed the international distribution division of Endemol. At SPT he was responsible for overseeing its international sales including titles such as Who Wants to be a Millionaire and Dragon’s Den along with managing teams in production consultancy and consumer products. As Director of International Sales at Endemol he was responsible for the worldwide exploitation of the entire Endemol formats catalogue including Big Brother and Deal or No Deal. Prior to his global remit, Louwerse served as Endemol’s licensing manager with responsibility for formats sales in EMEA.

Before setting up Lineup Industries with Ed Louwerse, Julian Curtis was responsible for formats distribution in major territories including EMEA and Asia Pacific at Sony Pictures Television for titles including Who Wants to be a Millionaire and Dragon’s Den.  Previously at 2waytraffic (acquired by SPT), he was tasked with building the business in Asia whilst based in Hong Kong. Before this, Julian set up the finished programme sales division at Endemol International selling shows including Fear Factor and Extreme Makeover Home Edition to well over 100 territories followed by a stint in the format sales division managing European and Asian territories and overseeing the roll out of such formats as 1V100 and Deal or No Deal in Korea, Japan and China.