Thom Beers' Original Productions Launches Digital Enterprise

Creator of Deadliest Catch, Monster Garage, Storage Wars and Ax Men to Develop Content for New Platforms

Taps Acclaimed OP Signature Series Producer Gayle Gilman To Run OP Entertainment Networks View all images

"As producers, it's always been our goal to have a direct connection to our viewers..."

BURBANK, Calif., June 14, 2012 -- High risk, high-reward reality television producer Thom Beers, Original Productions CEO and Executive Producer, has launched Original Productions Entertainment Networks. The prolific Emmy(R) Award winning producer will open his extensive catalogue and library direct to viewers in the digital world, as well as develop new content for on-line users for the first time.

"As producers, it's always been our goal to have a direct connection to our viewers, and advertisers," said Beers. "Recent technology advances have shown us that there are no boundaries, and the opportunities to create dynamic and innovative IP are limitless; so, we'll need the most extraordinary digital minds and innovators as we build our digital distribution portal."

Beers is credited with developing a huge male advertiser friendly base on networks such as Discovery, History, National Geographic and A&E with his testosterone reality television brand. Both of the highly coveted demographics of adults and men 18-49 and 25-54 flock to Beers' shows in record numbers on their cable outlets.

OP Executive Producer and President Philip D. Segal will oversee the OP Entertainment Networks. Acclaimed OP signature series producer Gayle Gilman has been named as Senior Vice President for OP Entertainment Networks and will report directly to Segal.

"Gayle Gilman has extraordinary credentials in advertising, program development and production," said Segal. "She is the ideal choice as the executive to manage Original Productions proprietary show formats and ideas." Gilman just wrapped as co-executive producer and series producer of "America's Lost Treasures" which is set to premiere on National Geographic Channel this summer. She is also co-executive producer of Emmy(R) nominated "Ice Road Truckers" for History. Joining the Original Productions' team in 2008, Gilman has been series producer on many of OP's biggest hits including two seasons of "Swords: Life on the Line," and "Lobstermen."

She began her entertainment career in New York, joining the executive training program at Leo Burnett Company Worldwide, and then moved to McCann Erickson Worldwide to work on the Coca-Cola account. Gilman has also held development and programming positions at National Geographic Television, A&E Television Networks in New York, as well as Channel Four Television in London. Born and raised in Newport, Maine, Gayle Gilman is a graduate of Dartmouth College and completed post graduate film production studies at New York University.

Original Productions, a FremantleMedia Company

Founded by Thom Beers, Original Productions produces authentic non-fiction programming featuring everyday heroes in extraordinary situations including the Emmy(R) Award Winning Deadliest Catch, Bering Sea Gold, Ice Road Truckers, Ax Men, Wild Justice, Storage Wars, Storage Wars: Texas and Black Gold. Beers' steadfast focus on top-notch storytelling with engaging personalities in high risk circumstances has produced more than 1,400 hours of original programming. www.originalproductions.com / www.fremantlemedia.com