IC Places Hires Reality TV Pioneer To Guide EzVip Show for Punch TV Networks

LOS ANGELES, July 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- IC Places (OTC QB: ICPA) is pleased to announce they have hired one of the forerunners of Reality TV, Joel Friedman to executive produce/show run their new EzVip series for the Punch Television Network. 

A native New Yorker, Joel has written, directed and produced numerous successful television projects for all the major networks covering a vast range of genres.

Joel was on the creative team behind the groundbreaking docu-series "The Simple Life with Paris and Nicole" (FOX).

He began his career as a writer working on specials for CBS (Sneak Peaks) ABC (Extreme Comedy) and FOX (Ally McBeal Special). He was then hired to write for The Donny and Marie talk show (SONY TELEVISION), where he stayed for two years.

Known as someone who "can crack the code" of even the most difficult projects, Joel quickly moved up the ranks. He began producing and directing projects for VH1, NBC, FX and E!, and series such as Invasion of the Hidden Cameras (FOX) and Adventures in Hollyhood (MTV). From there he went on to executive produce and direct The Nick Cannon Show (NICKELODEON), The Dave Sheridan Show (WB) and Smile You're Under Arrest (FOX).

In 2010 Joel decided to move into development and began creating and selling his own projects. He partnered with Bunim/Murray and Authentic Entertainment on two of his original reality show ideas and sold a scripted show to SPIKE TV. Last year he opened his own company Mustered Entertainment and spearheaded the development of a new docu-series that he sold to Bravo.

Additionally, he was the creative mind behind the highly successful Carl's Jr./Hardee's national hidden camera campaign.

Joel Friedman said, "Up and down the line this is a very impressive group of people that have been assembled and I am excited and honored to be a part of this unique show."

The Reality Dream Team

Joel Friedman - Executive produce/Show Runner

Steven Samblis - Executive Producer / Co-Creator

Steven, CEO and Founder of IC Places and the www.icplaces.com websites, brought together a team of proven production companies and people to create one of the most compelling TV shows airing on network TV this fall.  

Al Nelson - Executive Producer / Co-Creator

Nelson, Founder and CEO EzVip.com, the website that allows you to reserve and pay for your bottle service at a nightclub in advance. (Think of it like the popular restaurant application Open Table, but for nightlife.) After three years he decided to pitch his idea on the show that features successful entrepreneurs like Mark Cuban (Dallas Mavericks owner), Daymond John (founder of FUBU clothing line), Kevin O'Leary (educational software), Barbara Corcoran (real estate) and Robert Hejavec (technology security) who try to outbid each other to invest their own money and get a piece of a new business. Al ended up with several offers but in the end accepted the offer from Cuban and John.

First J Productions

JOSHUA MANDEL – Production Accountant / Executive Producer

Born in Los Angeles, California. He graduated Landmark West and attended University of Southern California. While in high school, he had an internship at Boss Film Studios where he worked on such films as Starship Troopers, Air Force One, Desperate Measures, and Turbulence. He also assisted the multi Academy Award winner wizard Mr. Richard Edlund. After college, he started working as a production assistant on films such as Rebound, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Little Miss Sunshine, Heartbreak Kid and the TV show The Loop. After working in production and post-production, he moved to freelance production accounting. He worked as a production accountant on the films Tropic Thunder, Surrogates and Real Steel. He is currently working as a production supervisor on 21 and Over. 

"First J Productions is proud to be a part of this great team. We aim to show the business side of the club scene and what it takes to make it a VIP night."... Joshua Mandel 

Manolin VidVilla  http://www.manolinvidvilla.com/

Manolin VidVilla Studios develops and produces a wide range of reality based programming, scripted series, international formats, syndication, talk shows, documentaries, video-on-demand, specials, sitcoms, web based interactive fare and made-for-TV movies, all in an effort to build a leadership position. The company focuses on key market segments outside the realm of the major studios by developing, producing, and delivering cost-effective programming to networks hungry for original programming.

"We are very excited to be joining the project. We look forward to co-producing a highly compelling docu-series around such a great new company as EzVip. Viewers will be captivated by the inner workings of the exclusive VIP club world, and with a point of view unparalleled by any other television series. With Al at the helm, the show also serves a direct-response for EZVip.com to further launch their intellectual property for being the premiere online destination spot to book your VIP nightclub reservations." Cal Boyington

CAL BOYINGTON – Executive Producer

Cal Boyington launched his media shingle Manolin Studios in early 2008 in a strategic move to develop and produce his own fare. He also serves as Executive Producer of HD Net's award-winning documentary series "Baker Boys," Comedy Central's much hyped new scripted comedy series "Workaholics," currently airing after "South Park," and "Trapped in Paradise," for VH-1.

Boyington is an accomplished executive who, while forming Manolin, jointly served as the President of TV for QED International, a movie production/international sales company. Manolin sold numerous shows including: "Freshman" with Lil Romeo at MTV, "E.S.U." at Discovery, "R5 Sons" a family-docu at TLC, and "That's Rich" hosted by Mo Rocca at the E!. Manolin also produced a ground-breaking web-series for GoArmy.com entitled "Sports Explorers."

Prior to producing, Boyington was the Head of Paradigmʼs Alternative Television Division as well as a veteran talent agent at ICM for several years. As an agent, Boyington put together Animal Planetʼs hit show "Whale Wars" and ABC's "The Next Best Thing." Some of Boyington's other TV sales that debuted included, "Father Hood," the Snoop Dogg family reality sitcom on E! and "6 Months" at A&E, a show chronicling families as they dealt with ailing family members. He sold "Sunday Morning Shootout" to AMC, which ran for over 250 episodes and airs in several territories around the world.

Additionally, Boyington participated in the sales of "Intervention" for A&E, "The Osbournes" for MTV, "Anna Nicole Show" for E!, A&Eʼs "Sons of Hollywood," BETʼs "Baldwin Hills," "TV Land Awards," "US Poker Championship," "Knight School" with Coach Bobby Knight, and "Bound For Glory" for ESPN. He was integral in the success of "The Apprentice," "Americaʼs Next Top Model" and the revived "Last Comic Standing."

In addition to Television development, Boyington has an indie-film in pre-production through Manolin titled, "The Pure Life," which won the American Zoetrope Award for Best Screenplay.

Boyington has had consistent success in producing, packaging, and selling TV shows for Broadcast, and in series format development, acquisition and production. The Hollywood Reporter selected him for "The Next Generation of 2006." Boyington is a member in good standing of The Academy of Television Arts and NATPE. He is experienced in contract negotiations, analyzing market trends and capitalizing on global market opportunities. He has specific experience in leveraging advertising monies as well as licensing and merchandising platforms for programs. High visibility in the entertainment community with continued success in deriving partnerships and innovative media solutions through extensive personal relationships. 

JASON BERGENFELD – Executive Producer

Born and raised in Southern California, Jason has always had a passion for many aspects of multimedia programming. What started as watching sports and Saturday cartoons has turned into a career in television lasting more than a decade.

Jason's creative abilities as well as his business sense have enabled him to become a leader in his field. Known as a go-getter, Jason started his career working for the Oscar Award Winning company Kopelson Entertainment, until moving into the music video space during the boom with FM Rocks.

After moving back into television production, Jason produced shows for NBC, FOX, ABC, TruTV, GSN, BET, AOL TV, A & E, MSNBC, CCTV, Phoenix Television, and many more.

Before joining forces with Manolin Studios, Jason worked as SVP of Development & Acquisitions with Xonger Global Media/C4 Pictures where they produced such hits has Baldwin Hills (BET), Barbershop 1 & 2 (MGM Studios), Meet Joe Jackson (A & E), and many more films and television programs.

GREG GEROSKY – Executive Producer

Prior to being an Executive Producer and partner of VidVilla LLC and Manolin VidVilla Studios LLC, Greg spent 5 years as a Producer and the Head of Post Production for Reveille Studios, now a division of Shine Group owned by Fox / Newscorp.

Greg built a large post division for Reveille with over 50 edit bays including online/finishing in as many as 4 separate locations across Los Angeles.

Greg has Produced and Co-Produced many shows including Masterchef USA (FOX), American Gladiators 1 & 2 (NBC), The Biggest Loser 12 (NBC) Tabatha's Takeover 1-4 (BRAVO), Shear Genius 1-4 (BRAVO), The Buried Life 1 & 2 (MTV), Losing It With Jillian Michaels (NBC), One Born Every Minute 1 & 2 (LIFETIME), Gone Too Soon (Documentary for the TV GUIDE CHANNEL), and numerous other TV programs. Greg has also contributed largely to dozens of Web series projects for MSN and Yahoo, and both scripted and non-scripted development.

Prior to joining Reveille, Greg owned and operated a small production company based in South Florida producing local programming and commercial spots for local businesses. Greg is also a composer and has achieved several successes including a large national campaign for our nation's Border Patrol and underscore for dozens of Reveille shows.

Product Placement

Karen S. Neasi

One of the premiere executives in the world of product placement, Karen started off as the Executive Assistant to Kevin S. Bright (Bright/Kauffman/Crane Production), on Dream On, Friends, Veronica's Closet and Jesse. From there Karen moved into product placement for some of the most successful directors in Hollywood on films including;

• EMPIRE STATE (IN PRODUCTION) starring Liam Hemsworth, Dwayne Johnson and Emma Roberts.
• THE TOMB (IN PRODUCTION) starring Sylvester Stallone , Arnold Schwarzenegger , Vincent D'Onofrio , Jim Caviezel , Sam Neill, Vinnie Jones and 50 Cent.
• LOVELACE (IN PRODUCTION) starring Amanda Seyfried, James Franco, Juno Temple , Sharon Stone, Chloe Sevigny and Sarah Jessica Parker.
• THE MAGIC OF BELLE ISLE Directed by Rob Reiner and starring Morgan Freeman.
• THE DESCENDANTS Winner of the Oscar, Golden Globe and BFCA awards in 2012, starring George Clooney.
• SON OF NO ONE starring Al Pacino, Channing Tatum, Ray Liotta and Katie Holmes.
• CEDAR RAPIDS starring Ed Helms, John C. Reilly, Anne Heche and Sigourney Weaver.
• THE MECHANIC starring Jason Statham, Ben Foster, Tony Goldwyn and Donald Sutherland.
• FATHER OF INVENTION starring Kevin Spacey, Camilla Belle and Heather Graham.
• THE EXPENDABLES starring Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Randy Couture, Steve Austin, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, David Zayas, Giselle Itie, Charisma Carpenter, Terry Crews and Mickey Rourke.
• SOLITARY MAN starring Michael Douglas, Susan Sarandon , Danny DeVito, Mary-Louise Parker, Jenna Fischer, Imogen Poots and Jesse Eisenberg.
• WHIP IT Directed by Drew Barrymore, starring Ellen Page and Jimmy Fallon.
• THE ROAD starring Viggo Mortensen, Guy Pearce and Charlize Theron.
• THE WACKNESS starring Ben Kingsley, Josh Peck and Famke Janssen.

About IC Places:

IC Places is a New Media company that produces weekly entertainment content for several different mediums.  In 2012 it hit a milestone of signing partnership agreements to place its content before more then 300 million people a month, giving the company one of the largest distributions foot prints on the planet.  This foot print includes online partnerships with Mevio.com and terrestrial partnerships which delivers its content to Checkout TV Network, HDTV Network, Dining Network, Bright House on demand and two upcoming new networks launching in July of this year.

At the core, IC Places is a network of 350 city based entertainment websites. This foundation allows IC Places the unique advantage having a built-in fan based for the TV and New Media programs it produces. 

Each IC Places City website offers a virtual keyhole view of life in each community. Every unique aspect of a city's social, business, and cultural life is available right at each city's IC Places homepage. IC Places provides the entire community a place to talk, do business and get connected. Businesses are given amazing tools to tell their stories in the best way possible and visitors get unfettered access to businesses, events and people in each city. To see one of the IC Places City sites in action, please visit http://www.icPlaces.com.com/orlando.

About Punch Television Networks

Launched on Wednesday, October 19, 2011, shortly after Columbus Day, Punch TV is, in many ways, also an explorer. Instead of spending the normal costs of $100 million to launch, Punch TV spent $10 million. Rather than launching by airing re-runs of popular and loved shows, Punch TV offers 70% original programming to its viewers.

And now, Punch TV Network extended its originality even further when in May of this year the company introduced its fall lineup of shows to prospective advertisers and/or their representatives. The success of the Up-Front resulted in commitments of twelve million dollars in advertising dollars to Punch TV's fall line-up of shows.

At Up-Front, Punch TV Network introduced 17 of its roster of 36 new dramas, comedies, variety shows, talk shows, children's shows, and inspirational entertainment. The event was attended by a number of celebrities including Blair Underwood, Bill Duke, Dawnn Lewis, Obba Babatunde, Omar Gooding, Damian Hall, Fonzworth Bently, Kiki Shephard, Lorraine Toussaint, and many others.

Punch TV Network, with a presence this fall in more than 100 cities, does, indeed, personify the spirit of independent television. Punch TV! "Are you thirsty yet?"

IC Places Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact Information:
IC Places, Inc.
www.icplaces.com
Steven Samblis
407-442-0309 Ext. 2
Press Inquiries:
[email protected]

SOURCE IC Places, Inc.