Freixenet Releases New Ad Featuring Bisbal’s New English Song “Closer Tonight”

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

David Bisbal is coming out swinging…

The 35-year-old Spanish pop star has released his new English-language song “Closer Tonight” in a New Year’s Eve ad for Freixenet. The track with a jazz hot vibe will be included on a gold edition of his album Tu y Yo, which is set for release on December 9.

In a black tie and with his signature curls slicked down, Bisbal is front and center in the glitzy spot that celebrates the 100th anniversary of sparkling wine leader.

Flappers dressed in gold-fringed mini dresses start a party in a wine cellar that continues through the decades until 2014, when the dancers join Bisbal at an outdoor party wearing sequined leotards with hoodies.

Young Spanish actress Maria Valverde, featured in Ridley Scott’s upcoming Exodus: Gods and Kings, also stars in the ad, which was released on Freixenet’s YouTube channel late Tuesday night (Nov. 25).

The New Year’s cava commercial was directed by Goya Award winner Kike Maíllo, who also directed a fictional film based on Bisbal’s Tu y Yo tour that debuted earlier this year.

The ad was filmed at Freixenet’s headquarters outside of Barcelona. Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut is the world’s best-selling champagne-method sparkling wine, according to the brand.

Bisbal, known for his romantic ballads, has a lot to celebrate this year. Tu y Yo, the artist’s fifth studio album, debuted at No. 1 in Spain and was immediately certified double platinum for shipments of over 80,000 copies.

Bisbal is currently on a Latin American tour that culminates with December 14 concert in Madrid. He’ll take part in Televisa’s Canal de las Estrellas channel’s New Year’s Eve countdown, broadcast on December 31.

Sodi’s “Senorita Polvora” to Air in 42 Territories Throughout Latin America

Posted on October 21, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Camila Sodi’s latest television project is coming to the Americas…

Turner Broadcasting System Latin America has picked up the exclusive, first-run subscription television rights to the original series Señorita Pólvora, starring the 28-year-old Mexican singer, actress and model.

The Spanish-language drama is based on a real-life story about a beauty queen who falls for a Mafia hitman.

Señorita Pólvora, which also stars Iván Sánchez, José María de Tavira and Saúl Lisazo, will premiere on TNT in early 2015.

Following its TNT debut, the telenovela will be available for subscribers on the streaming site Claro video, a Netfix rival owned by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, the world’s richest man.

Señorita Pólvora is the first of several teleseries that Sony Pictures Television and Televisa are co-producing under a multiyear joint venture.

The distribution deals allow Señorita Pólvora to reach audiences in 42 territories throughout Latin America.

“Señorita Pólvora is a great acquisition for us as it is consistent with our strategy to incorporate local content on channels to further engage Latin American viewers,” said Angel Zambrano, vice president of acquisitions and syndication at Turner Broadcasting System Latin America.

In the U.S., the series will air on the Univision network UniMas.

Derbez Developing a Remake of the French Film “The Valet”

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Eugenio Derbez is ready for a makeover…

The 53-year-old Mexican comedian, actor, writer and filmmaker, who recently inked a first look deal with Pantelion Films, is developing a remake of the French film The Valet.

The film, written and directed by Francis Veber, was released in 2006 and grossed $29 million worldwide.

The story centers on a parking valet and a top model who have to pretend to be a couple in order to salvage a CEO’s marriage.

The Valet is the first project under his new agreement with Pantelion Films, a deal that underscores the high stakes of reaching the coveted Hispanic moviegoing audience — a fast-growing demographic at the box office.

Derbez starred in and directed Pantelion’s hit Instructions Not Included, the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S. at $44 million. The film grossed another $55 million outside the U.S.

“Pantelion and Televisa can reach my core fan base better than anyone and, with the distribution expertise and brand recognition of Lionsgate, I know we can build on the crossover audience that we began to reach with Instructions,” said Derbez.

Derbez also starred in 2007’s Under the Same Moon, which took in about half of its $23 million worldwide in the U.S.

Pantelion, a partnership between Lionsgate and Mexican media conglom Grupo Televisa, made the deal with Derbez’s newly-launched 3Pas Studios production company. 3Pas, a partnership with former Pantelion President of Production Benjamin Odell, will focus on Spanish and English-language films targeting Latino and crossover audiences in the U.S.

Martin to Serve as a Coach on the New Season of “La Voz… México”

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Ricky Martin is switching Voices…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican singer has been announced as the fourth and final judge for the upcoming fourth season of La Voz… México.

Martin will join Yuri, Julion Alvarez and Italian singer Laura Pausini as the judges for the reality singing competition.

Mexico’s Televisa network announced that Martin will serve as the fourth judge in a statement Thursday, saying that “all his experience and musical abilities will be available for the next season of La Voz… México.”

Martin previously served as a coach on The Voice Australia.

The new season of La Voz… México begins on September 7.

Higareda Signs on for Televisa USA’s Scripted Action Drama Series “Coma”

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Martha Higareda is preparing for double-duty on Televisa USA’s new project.

The 30-year-old Mexican actress will executive produce and star in Televisa USA’s scripted action drama series Coma.

Described as an hourlong action drama with sci-fi elements, Coma focuses on 10,000 comatose patients around the world who in the course of three days suddenly wake up fighting for their lives. Inexplicably, they all have the same message: Stop Ian Wallace, the man they say will be responsible for starting World War III.

Higareda will portray Dr. Victoria Neves in the pilot.

The division of Televisa, a subsidiary of Spanish-language producer-distributor Grupo Televisa, acquired the spec series written by Francesco Papini and Noé Santillán López.

Televisa USA will shop the series to broadcast, cable and digital outlets including Netflix and Amazon.

The deal comes as Televisa USA continues its push into original scripted fare. The banner co-produces ABC Family‘s Chasing Lifeas well as Lifetime‘s Devious Maids.

Iglesias’ “Bailando” Picked as Theme Song for Telemundo’s Telenovela “Reina de Corazones”

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Telemundo viewers may soon be bailando to Enrique Iglesias‘ voice…

The 39-year-old Spanish singer’s new hit single “Bailando” (feat. Descemer Bueno and Gente D’Zona), has been chosen as the theme song for Telemundo’s new telenovela, Reina de Corazones.”

The series, described as a “story full of mystery, espionage, conspiracies, intrigue, crime and romance” that unfolds in Las Vegas, premieres July 7 and will air weeknights at 8 p.m.

Iglesais’ up-tempo dance track, which blends urban, pop and flamenco beats and boasts a beautifully choreographed video shot between the Dominican Republic and Cuba, has topped Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart for six consecutive weeks.

The track jumped to No. 1 after Iglesias performed it at the Billboard Latin Music Awards in April, which aired on Telemundo.

Telenovelas are widely viewed as a major promotional tool for Latin musicians and landing the theme song in a successful soap has proven to greatly boost a track’s success.

Iglesias’ music has often found its way into soap operas. Most recently, his single “El Perdedor,” featuring Mexican crooner Marco Antonio Solís, was the theme of soap opera “Lo Que La Vida Me Robó,” which was produced by Televisa in Mexico, and aired in the U.S. on Univision.

Reina de Corazones is produced by Telemundo and shot here in the U.S.

Netflix to Premiere Muniz’s Soccer-Themed Documentary “This is Not a Ball”

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Vik Muniz will be kickin’ up some futbol fun in the United States, just in time for this year’s FIFA World Cup.

Netflix has slated a June 13 premiere in the U.S. and Latin America for the documentary This is Not a Ball, directed by the 52-year-old Brazilian artist, as soccer fans gear up for the upcoming World Cup.

Produced by Televisa’s film division Videocine, This is Not a Ball follows Muniz as he explores the world’s passion for soccer while creating an art piece consisting of 20,000 soccer balls.

The film visits nine cities and includes an interview with famed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.

“This is Not a Ball is a groundbreaking story about the universal value of soccer and the true meaning of ‘the ball’ through the lens of a very talented production team and amazing partners such as Televisa,” said Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos.

The World Cup kicks off June 12 in Sao Paulo with an inaugural match between host country Brazil and Croatia

ABC to Preview Aguilera’s “Chasing Life” Two Weeks Early

Posted on May 27, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It appears Augusto Aguilera’s close-up will come earlier than previously planned…

ABC Family has announced it will make Chasing Life, which stars the Latino up-and-comer,available two weeks ahead of its television debut.

Based on the Mexican telenovela Terminales, Chasing Life follows an aspiring journalist, 24-year-old April Carver (portrayed by Italia Ricci), who finds out she has terminal cancer.

Aguilera portrays Kieran, a bad-boy slacker who is actually an extremely intelligent and educated young man.

Beginning Tuesday, the first episode of the series will be available for preview on the free WATCH ABC Family app through Monday, June 9. Additionally, the premiere can be viewed early on-demand through participating television providers starting Tuesday, June 3. The show’s official Facebook page also will show the episode, beginning Sunday, June 8.

It’s common for networks to debut new shows on digital platforms before they make their respective premieres on TV. Most recently AMC teamed with Tumblrto offer consumers an early look at the 1980s tech drama Halt and Catch Fire prior to its June 1 kickoff.

In addition to Aguilera and Ricci, the series also stars Mary Page Keller, Aisha Dee, Richard Brancatisano and Haley Ramm, along with Scott Michael Foster, Steven Weber, Rebecca Schull and Andy Mientus.

Chasing Life, a Lionsgate/Televisa production, debuts Tuesday, June 10 at 9 p.m. on ABC Family.

Sodi to Star in the Original Telenovela “Señorita Pólvora”

Posted on May 11, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Camila Sodi is returning to the world of telenovelas…

The 27-year-old actress and model, who starred in the telenovela Inocente de Ti with Valentino Lanús and Helena Rojo in 2004–2005, will star in the original telenovela Señorita Pólvora.

The first co-production for Sony Pictures Television and Televisa under a join 5-year deal was inspired by the real life story of abeauty queen whose alleged connections to the underworld and a romantic affair with an assassin ultimately led to her untimely demise.

Sodi, the niece of former telenovela starThalía, will star opposite Iván Sánchez and José María de Tavira.

Señorita Pólvora follows Valentina (Sodi), a beautiful, well-to-do young women who falls for a hit man only to find out that her love, in addition to her own family, belongs to of one of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartels. Her explosive life and gradual descent into the world of crime is chronicled by a journalist who kindles a burning flame for the deadly beauty queen.

“Señorita Pólvora is the first of many series that we will produce with Sony Pictures Television. With this production pipeline, we are bringing new stories and content with different perspectives to the marketplace. We are confident that these original series will captivate our audience from the very beginning,” said Antonio Alonso, director general, Planning and International, Televisa Productions.

The telenovela will be produced in Mexico by Sony Pictures Television, and will air across multiple Televisa platforms and on UniMás in the U.S.

Señorita Pólvora is also being sold across the rest of Latin America by Sony Pictures Television while Televisa will distribute across the east and south of Europe; Sony Pictures Television and Televisa will jointly distribute the series throughout the rest of the world.

Daniel Ucros (El Mariachi) serves as executive producer.

Derbez Signs with Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Eugenio Derbez is one step closer to taking over America…

Following the success of his comedy-drama film Instructions Not Included in the United States, the 52-year-old Mexican actor has signed with Creative Artists Agency.

Derbez is hailed as one of the top Latino filmmakers/actors in the business; and he’s one of the most recognizable Latino faces in the world.

He’s the creator and star of one of Mexico’s most popular sitcoms La Familia P. Luche (The Plush Family), which ran for 10 years on Univision. He also created the Televisa produced sketch-show XHDRbZ, which aired for two seasons.

Both programs not only appeared in the U.S. but also ran in Europe and Latin America. He had very recognizeable names in the Latino market on his sketch show, including the Mexican president Vicente Fox.

Derbez also wrote, directed and starred in last year’s Instructions Not Included, which is touted as the highest-grossing Spanish-language film in the U.S., earning $44.4M in the U.S. and $41M internationally for a total of $85.5 million worldwide.

He was also the voice of Donkey in the Spanish-language version of Shrek and lent his voice to one of the characters in Guillermo Del Toro’s animated comedy Book of Life.

U.S. audiences may remember him from Liongate’s Girl in Progress starring opposite Eva Mendes (2012) or in Fox Searchlight’s sleeper hit Under the Same Moon.

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