PAUL FRANKLIN NAMED DIRECTOR OF CONTENT FOR SHINE AUSTRALIA

Franklin Returns to Australia After Helping Bolster Shine America’s Initial Programming Efforts 

Shine Australia today announced that Paul Franklin is to re-join the business as Director of Content.

Paul is returning from the U.S. to oversee part of Shine’s unscripted and scripted programming.

For the last two and a half years, Paul has served as Executive Vice President, Programming, Shine America, where he helped launch the studio’s unscripted programming department.

While in Los Angeles, Paul was responsible for and served as an executive producer on such U.S. series as MasterChef and MasterChef Junior (FOX), The Biggest Loser (NBC), The Face (Oxygen), Tabatha Takes Over (Bravo), Minute To Win It (GSN) as well as recently launched programs Restaurant Startup (CNBC) and Fake-Off (TruTv). Paul also helped launch Canada’s top rating MasterChef (CTV).

Paul will relocate to Australia in February 2015, reporting to Mark and Carl Fennessy and working alongside Director of Programming, Peter Newman.

Paul Franklin said: "I could not pass up the opportunity to return to Australia and reunite with Carl and Mark. I’ve truly enjoyed my experience in the States helping bolster Shine America’s initial programming efforts and I believe this exciting new role with Shine Australia is the ideal next step for me."

Carl Fennessy, CEO, Shine Australia said: "Paul is an outstanding creative executive with a proven track record of delivering stand out television both here in Australia and of course most recently, in the USA. We are thrilled Paul has decided to return to Shine Australia."

Prior to joining Shine America, Paul was Shine Australia's Head of Programming from 2010-2012, where he oversaw MasterChef and Junior MasterChef, The Biggest Loser and Relocation Relocation.

Before his first stint with Shine Australia, Paul traveled the globe launching Shine Group's successful MasterChef format in numerous territories including India, France and the U.S.

From 2005-2009, Paul was Head of Factual Programming for Fremantle Media Australia, where he oversaw the original launches of MasterChef, The Biggest Loser, Farmer Wants A Wife and The Apprentice.

Paul also previously worked in the UK on a variety of shows for Endemol, Shine and Fremantle, including show-runner for the BBC1 hit series Changing Rooms.

For more information please contact:
Charlotte McLauchlan
Head of Communications, Shine Australia P: 02 8587 1113 M: 0414 621 658 Charlotte.mclauchlan@shineaustralia.com 

MasterChef Australia: Best Reality TV Production of 2014.

Network Ten and Shine Australia are thrilled to congratulate MasterChef Australia on being named the best reality television production at this evening’s Screen Producers Australia Awards in Melbourne.

Accepting the award on behalf of the production, judges Matt Preston and George Calombaris paid tribute to the hard-working team behind the scenes who made MasterChef Australia an outstanding success in 2014.

Network Ten Chief Programming Officer, Beverley McGarvey, said: “The combination of great cooks, great food, great contestants and a great crew made MasterChef Australia the fastest-growing reality television series in Australia this year.

“The Screen Producers Australia Award is a great tribute to the show and everyone who worked on it. Thank you to the judges, the rest of the cast, the crew and everyone at Network Ten and Shine Australia who worked on the show. We are all very excited about bringing more great food and great cooks to Australians next year with Series 7 of MasterChef Australia.”

Peter Newman, Shine Australia’s Director of Programming agreed, adding: “There is a truly passionate and special team who put together MasterChef Australia.

“We’re proud not only to have won the Screen Producers Australia Award, but to have delivered a program in Series 6 that was honest and true to its promise of showcasing Australia’s best home cooks cooking extraordinary food. We can’t wait to see what great cooks emerge for 2015.”

MasterChef Australia’s positioning of “Ordinary People, Extraordinary Food” resonated strongly with viewers in 2014.

On July 28, more than 2.2 million Australians tuned in to watch Brent Owens crowned the winner of MasterChef Australia. The series’ average capital city and regional audience was 1.3 million. In the capital cities alone, its average audience was 1.02 million, up 31% on last year’s season.

MasterChef Australia was also a hit online this year, with 16.1 million video views on www.tenplay.com.au during its run – up 110% on 2013 and the highest ever in the history of the program – and 19.9 million page views, up 23%.

Series 7 of MasterChef Australia is currently in production and will air on Network Ten in 2015. 

Shine Australia & AFTRS Announce 2015 Intern Programme

Shine Australia and the Australian Film, Television & Radio School (AFTRS) have today announced the continuation of the Shine Australia Intern Program.

Following the successful first year of the program in 2014 when an internship was offered to one AFTRS Foundation student, Luke Davis next year Shine Australia is offering two internships to AFTRS graduates, one from the Foundation program and a second to a Graduate Diploma Editing student.

Mark Fennessy, Shine Australia CEO said “Shine is committed to fostering creativity and nurturing bright new talent within the industry. Our first AFTRS intern, Luke Davis, has impressed us enormously with his talent and commitment across a wide range of production duties and experiences. His own journey has now begun towards an exciting and successful career. The high quality of AFTRS Graduates has really encouraged us towards increasing our support for these creative young Australians.“

This year the graduates selected for the internships will work across a range of Shine Australia projects and departments.

Sandra Levy, CEO AFTRS said: “This is an incredible opportunity for two of our graduates to work within one of Australia’s most successful and prolific production companies - something every one of our students strives for. We are very grateful to Shine Australia for partnering with AFTRS on this on-going internship program. The school constantly seeks to expose our students to best industry practice and professional opportunities through the quality of our teaching staff who are drawn from the industry and internships such a these.”

For enquiries or to arrange an interview please contact Tracey Mair: traceym@tmpublicity.com // 0419 221 493 

A New Fairytale Begins: The Bachelor Australia Series 2. Starts 7.30pm, Wednesday, July 30. On TEN.

Super yachts, helicopters, Aston Martins, sea planes and some of the most luxurious and breathtakingly romantic dates will set pulses racing when The Bachelor Australia returns to TEN with a brand new Bachelor, Blake Garvey on Wednesday, July 30.

The tall, dark and handsome Perth real estate auctioneer and licensed agent will melt hearts Australia-wide two nights a week as he searches for his dream girl among 24 dazzling Bachelorettes.

While confessing he doesn’t have a type when it comes to women, Blake is looking for some key qualities in his potential partner.

Blake says: “I’m looking for someone who enjoys being active, has a great sense of humour and a sense of adventure.

“Someone I can have a good banter with, is ambitious, confident, supportive, challenging and has a great smile.”

Ready to fall in love and start a family of his own, the engaging 31-year-old believes his soul mate is waiting for him in the Bachelorette mansion.

As The Bachelor Australia arrives, is this be the beginning of the fairytale?
See the ultimate love story unfold each Wednesday and Thursday nights on TEN.

Hosted by Osher Günsberg, The Bachelor Australia is a Shine Australia production for Network Ten. 

Presenting Australia's Next Bachelor - Blake Garvey

The fairytale continues on TEN when the romantic television series, The Bachelor Australia, returns with a brand new bachelor: Blake Garvey.

The 31-year-old Perth real estate auctioneer will set hearts alight this year with his towering height, rich deep voice and remarkable good looks, as he begins his journey for true love.

Standing at an imposing 196 centimetres, the keen sportsman and fitness enthusiast is yet to meet “the one”, but believes his dream girl is just around the corner.

Network Ten Head of Entertainment and Factual Programming, Stephen Tate, said: “During the casting process, we asked thousands of eligible young women what they were looking for and Blake met every criteria and more. 

“We met Blake quite early in the casting process and he instantly set the level. By the end of the national casting tour, he was still head and shoulders above the rest. We are so fortunate he has agreed to look for love on The Bachelor Australia.”

 Hosted by Osher Günsberg, The Bachelor Australia will follow Blake as he negotiates the minefield of modern dating, searching for his dream girl among Australia’s most eligible bachelorettes. Through a series of romantic and extravagant dates, 24 single women will vie for his affection, hoping to receive a coveted red rose.

 The Bachelor Australia captured the hearts of Australians last year when love blossomed between Sydney chiropractor Tim Robards and vivacious lawyer Anna Heinrich. The series dominated water-cooler conversation across the nation and set social media on fire.

 Six months since Australia’s sweethearts Tim and Anna declared their love on national television, it is time for the next enchanting chapter of The Bachelor Australia.

 The Bachelor Australia is a Shine Australia production for Network Ten.