In the rapidly expanding market of HDTVs and recognizing the
need for new and innovative evergreen programming created in the true HD format,
industry veterans Terry Merrill and Erica Coates have joined forces to form MULTIPLAYER ENTERTAINMENT, INC. The innovative production company was
created to produce HD programming for licensing to broadcast, cable, satellite and broadband channels. MULTIPLAYER ENTERTAINMENT will specialize in programming content on a variety of topics with a focus on video games, animation and sports for the 18 – 34 demographic.
In the first two months of operation, the company has demonstrated the ability to get out in front of the high definition future, by securing its first contract with GAMEPLAY HD, one of the VOOM HD networks. The contract includes production of two unique projects for GAMEPLAY HD – TQANT (The Quadruple Action News Team), an interstitial animated faux news program created by Matt Kirsh, which reports on the bizarre stories that are happening inside video games. The second project for GAMEPLAY HD is FRAG FILES, a half-hour documentary series exploring the stories behind popular video game topics.
MULTIPLAYER ENTERTAINMENT’s development slate includes innovative HD programming in the areas of Sports, Video Games, Animation and Travel.
Partner Terry Merrill’s background includes 12 years experience in all major
aspects of the entertainment and production industries. Ms. Merrill is a talent and programming executive with more than 12 years of experience in all major aspects of the entertainment and production industries. She has worked closely with major network executives, casting and production personnel, as well as the leading talent agencies, managers, publicists and celebrity personal assistants.
She most recently completed production of CBS' Dynasty Reunion: Catfights and Caviar and has served as Talent Producer of the annual TV Land Awards since its inception in 2003. Ms. Merrill additionally headed the talent department at G4 where she booked and coordinated for G-Phoria, Icons, The Screen Savers and Attack of the Show! She was also talent executive for CBS' Return to Southfork and ABC's Happy Days 35th Anniversary Special (with Henry Winkler and Michael Levitt), Fox-TV's Summer Music Mania 2004 and the 2004 and 2006 Top Cops Awards in Washington, D.C.. Additionally, Ms. Merrill has coordinated production responsibilities on behalf of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, Lifetime Television, Vh-1's The List and I Love the 80's and the Creative Arts Emmy Awards. In 2002, she coordinated an unprecedented celebrity campaign for the Make-a-Wish Foundation that included George Clooney, Johnny Depp, Whoopi Goldberg, Ben Affleck and Susan Sarandon.
Partner Erica Coates is a Producer with over a decade of production experience
in all major aspects of the entertainment industry. Prior to co-founding
MULTIPLAYER, Ms. Coates served as Talent Executive for G4 working on a
myriad of projects, including the 3rd Annual G-Phoria Awards, the sports based
videogame show, TRAINING CAMP with Eddie George, FILTER and ATTACK OF THE SHOW!. Prior to G4, Ms. Coates worked for Tech TV in San Francisco where she produced segments and booked guests for two of the network’s most watched shows –
SCREEN SAVERS and CALL FOR HELP!. From 2001 – 2203, she served as
Segment Producer for the Emmy Award-winning KRON 4 MORNING NEWS in San
Francisco.
Ms. Coates is the recipient of several industry awards including the Silver Microphone, Bay Area Cable Excellence Award, NATOA Award, and a Bronze Apple from the National Education Film and Video Festival.
MULTIPLAYER ENTERTAINMENT is based in Burbank, California,
and is a member of NATPE, the National Association of Television Program
Executives, IDA, International Documentary Association, and AIVF, The Association
of Independent Video and Filmmakers.