Sony Pictures Television forms production businesses in Italy and Spain with Pasquale Romano and MarcoTombolini

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) continues to grow its international production business with the announcement today that it will form two new production companies – one in Spain and one in Italy – with two of the entertainment industry’s most respected executives, Marco Tombolini and Pasquale Romano. The announcement was made by Kees Abrahams, president, international production, SPT.

The new companies will be called Toro Producciones, based in Madrid, and Toro Produzioni, in Rome, and will focus on the Spanish and Italian markets, respectively.

Tombolini, one of the most well-known executives in the industry, will be based in Madrid and will head up the Spanish operations as senior vice president and managing director of Toro Producciones.

The Italian business will be managed by Romano who will also serve as senior vice president and director, creative affairs, Italy and Spain.

Commenting, Abrahams said: “We are proud to add to our already talented team two more of the industry’s finest talent. The addition of Marco and Pasquale to our business demonstrates our commitment to our expanding operation in Spain and to establishing a new presence in Italy. This is an important and exciting development for our business.”

In Spain, both SPT’s existing scripted and non scripted operations, headed up by Alfredo Ereno, will also be overseen by Tombolini. In Italy, all of SPT's light entertainment formats will be managed through the Toro Produzioni joint venture under Romano. Both Toro Producciones and Toro Produzioni will exclusively represent SPT’s extensive light entertainment TV formats portfolio in Spain and Italy respectively.

SPT is continuing to extend the talent pool within its growing production business. Last year, with the acquisition of Embassy Row, Michael Davies joined the Sony family. In June, SPT announced the appointment of Astrid Quentell to head up its German production business. SPT is also expanding its roster of well-established producers of international game shows and light entertainment formats through investments in companies including Shine and Gogglebox in the UK, Starling in France and Tuvalu in the Netherlands.

Romano is one of the most respected creative talents in Italy. He developed the first stripped daily edition of Deal Or No Deal which was sold with his adaptation in most European countries including France, Spain and the UK. He created the hit format, Best Years Of Our Life, which aired in Italy and Spain. He also developed the Italian adaptation of the hit format, Identity for Italy. Romano is the creator of the long running prime time format, The Recommended, and he is also the developer of the first adaptation of the Intellygents format, Il Malloppo, aka Take it Or Leave It which has been produced for two seasons in Italy and in Spain.

Tombolini started his career as a freelance producer before joining Endemol where he held several senior roles including Head of Acquisitions, Head of Development, Head of Entertainment and Content General Manager. He was also a pivotal member of the Global Creative Team of Endemol and a member of the International Acquisition Committee. During his career at Endemol, he oversaw the production of some of TV’s biggest formats including hits such as Big Brother, Deal Or No Deal, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, Wheel of Fortune, Beauty and the Geek, Identity, Best Years Of Our Life and many others.

<< back