Electus
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founders | Ben Silverman Drew Buckley |
| Defunct | Template:End date and age |
| Fate | Sold to Propagate Content |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Key people | Chris Grant (CEO) Drew Buckley (COO & Head of Digital) John Pollak (President of Electus International) Max Levenson (VP, Current & Creative Development) Stephanie Ward (Director, Business and Legal Affairs) Max Richards (Executive Producer) |
| Products | Television |
| Parent | Propagate Content |
| Divisions | Electus International |
| Website | www |
Electus was established as a television production firm by Ben Silverman in 2009, with financial support from IAC. The company secured development agreements with prominent broadcasters such as NBC, ABC, MTV, and VH1, alongside digital outlets including Facebook, Yahoo!, and AOL. In 2018, IAC completed the sale of Electus to Propagate Content.
History and partners
Electus was created in 2009 by former NBC Entertainment co-chairman and Reveille CEO Ben Silverman with investment from IAC's Barry Diller. One of its initial strategic alliances was formed with the comedy platform CollegeHumor, broadening its digital reach.
In 2010, Electus teamed up with actors Jason Bateman and Will Arnett to launch DumbDumb, a digital production and sponsor-driven advertising agency that crafted branded content campaigns for brands such as Orbit Gum and Denny's.
That year also saw Electus enter into a production and distribution partnership with 5x5 Media, whose producers had experience with series like Survivor and Amazing Race, enhancing Electus’ content offerings.
In 2011, Electus expanded its global distribution capabilities by acquiring Engine Entertainment, creating Electus/Engine Distribution to handle both proprietary productions and third-party content. This included collaborating with Israel’s Abbot Reif Hameiri Production Company.
Also in 2011, Electus joined forces with former MTV executives Tony DiSanto and Liz Gateley to form DiGa, a company specializing in reality and scripted programming for cable networks and primetime television.
The company further ventured into digital media in 2012 by launching HUNGRY, a YouTube channel centered on culinary content featuring celebrity chefs Duff Goldman and Laura Vitale.
By 2013, Electus reinforced its comedic content portfolio by acquiring CollegeHumor/Dorkly and establishing Big Breakfast, which produced series such as Adam Ruins Everything (TruTV) and Hot Date (Pop).
The acquisition by Propagate Content in 2018 marked a significant transition, incorporating Electus’ assets into a larger media conglomerate.
Projects
Electus' body of work features several prominent productions, including:
- The Toy Box (2017; in collaboration with Mattel)
- No Tomorrow (2016–17; produced jointly with Warner Bros. Television)
- Running Wild with Bear Grylls (ongoing; co-produced alongside Bear Grylls Ventures)
- Jane the Virgin (2014–19; a joint venture with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios)
- Food Fighters (2014–15; created in partnership with Rio Bravo and Universal Television)
- King of the Nerds (2013–15; versions for both U.S. and UK markets; co-produced with 5x5 Media and Objective Productions)
- Fashion Star (2012–13; collaboration involving 5x5 Media, Magical Elves, among others)
- Mob Wives (2011–16; produced with The Weinstein Company Television)
- Marco Polo (2014–16; co-produced with The Weinstein Company Television)
- Digital ventures such as the YouTube channel HUNGRY (launched 2012) and the Facebook series Crowd Sourced Hero
- Additional titles include: Bet on Your Baby (2013–14), The Hero (2013), Miami Monkey (2013), Killer Women (2014), and Hot Date (2017–19)
These productions underscore Electus’ deliberate approach to a wide array of content types and collaborative partnerships, strengthening its position within both scripted and unscripted television markets worldwide.