In August 2005, Tim Crescenti launched Small World IFT and within three years, he has cultivated a reputation for developing incredibly unique and quality entertainment projects from around the world. In 2008, Crescenti was responsible for selling and launching the Danish paper format, Big in Japan, which aired on the US network ABC as I Survived a Japanese Game Show (also serving as executive producer). Even before its’ successful launch in the US, including a second season order, the format became an international phenomenon, selling to 19 countries within a matter of weeks. Crescenti spearheaded the creation of a global turnkey production operation in Tokyo, with Norway and Greece completing their productions in December 2008, and Sweden and Denmark to kick off 2009.
Crescenti has also had exceptional success working with Nippon Television’s formats including their hit show Old Enough, currently in production for ITV and aired on Italia Uno; the visually-riveting entertainment format Masquerade, with a pilot order from a major US network and in production in Italy and Germany; viral-video phenom Silent Library, just ordered by a US cable network for 20 episodes and on-air in Spain, France, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Romania; and Train of Thought, just ordered by CBBC for 52 episodes. Nippon’s Dragons’ Den (Tim’s discovery and acquisition in 2002 while at Sony Int’l TV) will be produced by Mark Burnett for ABC in January. In 2006, Crescenti sold and executive produced the US version of NTV’s Master of Champions for ABC in the US after just five months of Small World operation.
Current Small World projects include a new turnkey operation being developed in Finnish Lapland for the newest format, Rescuing Santa, that will begin production in early 2009, as well as an adaptation of the globally successful radio format, 2 Strangers and a Wedding and original Route 66 adventure-entertainment format, Re-Born in the USA, already commissioned in Scandi countries.
At Small World IFT, Tim Crescenti has brokered deals with an impressive array of national and international companies. With a diverse clientele base, Small World has worked with Japan’s Nippon Television, Danish producers Babyfoot, Imagination Games, Vin Di Bona Productions, Finnish production company Aito Media, European channel group Viasat, ABC, Fox, UK’s Celador International, National Lampoon, ICM and even his idol, Fred Silverman. In his time at Small World, Crescenti has negotiated deals with ABC, Sony, Endemol International, Zodiak Television, Distraction, Seven Australia, Nine Australia, Mediaset Italy, TNT Russia, Liz Murdoch’s UK super-indie Shine, Fremantle and Granada USA among many others.
Crescenti has a unique blend of creation, development, marketing, production and sales in the international television arena, producing and selling 145 shows in 61 different countries – documentary, game, reality, comedy series, even a film. Very few people can match the breadth of international production and expertise with a business based on passion for international television, humor and constant communication. In a nutshell, he is responsible for making the world a better place through the power of television and making the impossible happen. (ah, humor again.)
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Before launching Small World, Crescenti was Vice President of International Production for Fox World, where he covered the worldwide roll-out of Fox’s expanding roster of international formats including Joe Millionaire, Simple Life, and My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancée. Tim personally oversaw the breakthrough cultural adaptation of Joe Millionaire in Indonesia. Crescenti also generated new business opportunities for the company, including Fox World’s first production company in Italy.
Before Fox poached him in 2003, Crescenti was based in London serving as Vice President of International Formats for Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI). He oversaw the company’s growing international sales operations, while establishing 28 light entertainment productions within an 18-month period. Tim acquired and introduced such winning formats as Russian Roulette and the BBC 2 mega-hit, Dragon’s Den, Sony International’s most valuable property, now in 19 countries including the US with Mark Burnett Productions now producing for ABC, under the title Shark Tank.
In 1997 Crescenti joined Columbia TriStar International Television, as Director of International Program Development. From 1997 to September 2001 he was responsible for the development and implementation of light entertainment formats worldwide. During his time spent at CTIT, the format division tripled their production overseas; moreover they doubled the revenue generated by format co-productions and license fees. He also researched and tee’ed up the scripted business for Sony in the Feltheimer-Kaplan days, which is now their most lucrative revenue stream.
Right out of college, Crescenti’s career was “game” for television. He began his entertainment career in 1984 as working for Wheel of Fortune. Concurrently Crescenti worked with Merv Griffin on new program development. In 1986 he moved onto the hit series Love Connection.
In December 1993, Crescenti and his wife Colleen formed Crescenti Moon Productions (CMP) which took him to Ethiopia where he produced and filmed the country’s first ever concert festival. The event was heralded by Billboard magazine as the May highlight in its 1994 year-end review. Upon his return, Crescenti produced Dreamfield, a one-hour ESPN special hosted by James Earl Jones that chronicled the life-changing experiences occurring at the movie site of Universal’s Field of Dreams. Dreamfield won the prestigious educational award, the Cine Golden Eagle; moreover, The National Baseball Hall of Fame honored Crescenti with a lifetime honorary membership to the Hall where the documentary plays in the Cooperstown theatre.
Rounding out the years of 1994-97, Crescenti was producing specials, segments and series for clients in the U.S and abroad including ESPN, NBC (Japan), E! Entertainment Television, A Current Affair, the PGA, syndicated television’s America’s Dumbest Criminals and the game show Bzzz! He also traveled to Malaysia where he consulted and held production classes for Astro TV, followed by forming an investment company to produce the PBS documentary The Great Bike Ride across America. Crescenti returned to Malaysia in 1996 where he was the American producer on Golden Dreams, an international adventure series for TVE Malaysia. The film world beckoned briefly as Crescenti consulted on the award-winning documentary film Pop & Me that chronicled a six-month journey around the world of a father and son.
Tim Crescenti is married to the lovely Colleen Crescenti and is father to Daniel, 21 and Kelli, 18. He holds a Bachelors of Arts in Radio-Television-Film; Media Management from California State University Northridge. Tim was voted Best Pitcher for his British Baseball team, and he has acquired the ability to operate plumbing fixtures in any country. Such an array of talents…
References supplied upon request or bribery.
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