Silverman launches int’l distributor with Shine Int.

Ben Silverman is launching an international distribution company – Electus Distribution – in partnership with Shine International and is prepping two scripted drama series.

Separately, the distributor has struck its first third party deal to distribute content from Israeli producer Abbot Reif Hameiri Productions.

Silverman’s recently formed media company Electus, which is backed by Barry Diller’s IAC, has partnered with Shine International, the worldwide sales arm of the Lis Murdoch-run production company, to create Electus Distribution. The move will reunite Silverman with many of his former Reveille colleagues including current Shine International president Chris Grant.

Grant told TBIvision: “Ben and I have similar ideas pertaining to the future of the distribution business. We saw 5 years ago the [international] formats business. Now we’re beginning to see an opportunity in the scripted space.”

He added: “Ben and I have stayed close since I was 21 years old and working in the mailroom at William Morris. There’s a great relationship. Most of the time it takes time to build a relationship but we can hit the ground running at top speed.”

The new company will also distribute content from Israeli producer Abbot Reif Hameiri Productions including interactive gameshow Cuckoo’s Nest. The format currently airs on social networking site Facebook in Israel and Electus Distribution will bring it to the US.