Kinetic teams with Dutch format shop

Kinetic Content, the new US prodco set up by former RDF USA boss Chris Coelen, has made its first international move, sealing a first-look deal with the Dutch distributor of Find My Family and The Singing Office.

Under the deal, weeks-old Kinetic will have first-look rights to all of Absolutely Independent's catalogue within the US. The Dutch firm will retain ex-US distribution rights on all properties that fall under the deal. The two firms will also develop paper formats for the global market.

The pact follows Coelen and Absolutely Independent's CEO Patty Geneste working together to bring Find My Family to ABC, while Coelen was at RDF USA. "We have been working together ever since Chris was an agent, it feels like a natural match between us," said Geneste.

As well as Find My Family (sold into 12 countries) and The Singing Office (sold into 15 countries, including the US), Absolutely Independent's catalogue includes The Phone (sold into 15 countries) and Flying Start (sold into 20 countries). It also includes children's TV formats such as GamePlanets and Love Match.

Kinetic launched last month and is based in Santa Monica. It will focus on multiplatform content for the global market, and Coelen's first hires include Matilda Zoltowski (Dancing with the Stars) and Jennifer Danska (Jessica Simpson's The Price of Beauty) as senior VPs of development and current programming, and Gerald Massimei (Secret Millionaire) as VP of development and current programming.