Jonathan Tuovinen


Rabbit Films hires ITVSGE’s Ferguson for international sales

Finnish producer-distributor Rabbit Films has appointed an ITV Studios Global Entertainment exec to join its international sales team. Sam Ferguson – who most recently served as sales manager for Russia, CIS, Baltics and the Balkans at ITVSGE – joins the City vs. Country distributor as senior sales manager, based out of London. Her remit includes […]

YouTube Red orders Rabbit reality show

Online service YouTube Red has commissioned a reality competition series from Finland’s Rabbit Films. Ultimate Expedition will see eight celebrities with no climbing experience attempt to scale the 19,970ft Mount Tocllaraju, with YouTube star and Rabbit USA president Jukka Hildén presenting. The ten-part show will roll out on Google-owned SVOD service YouTube Red in 2018. […]

Ex-NBCU exec joins Dudesons company

Former NBCUniversal International Studios format sales director Jonathan Tuonvinen has resurfaced at Rabbit Films, the producer behind extreme prank series The Dudesons. Tuovinen will return to his native Finland to become head of international and oversee global sales of shows such as King, Ultimate Expedition, Posse and Haggle Battle, after ten years working for TV […]

Formats exec joins NBC after DRG exit

Formats executive Albertina Marfil has joined NBCUniversal International Studios after leaving rival distributor DRG, TBI has learned. Marfil had been with DRG since 2013, having previously worked at Cineflix Rights and IMG Media. She was most recently sales manager for North and South America and the Asia Pacific region. She has joined NBCU’s formats division […]

NBCU formats director exiting

NBCUniversal International Studios’ director of formats and production is leaving the company after four years, TBI has learned. Jonathan Tuovinen is exiting his post at the Comcast-owned company’s London office. His next move is unknown, but it is understood he will remain in London. An NBCU spokesperson confirmed his departure today. Tuovinen joined NBCU from […]

NBCU in South Africa Real Housewives format row

NBCUniversal’s formats team has told TBI it is in no way connected with a South African woman who has claimed in a press report to be producing a local version of the Real Housewives… franchise. South Africa’s City Press yesterday published a story claiming a woman named Barbie Brazil (birth name Tembi Ennie Tshabalala) had […]