MUMBAI: US producer and network executive David Janollari, who has shepherded shows like ?Friends? is setting up a new production company in an exclusive deal with Universal Television, it was announced by Universal Television executive VP Bela Bajaria.

Bajaria said, "Our goal is to make deals with the best creative producers in our business and David Janollari exemplifies this. Not only have I had the pleasure of working with him when he was a producer in the trenches, but he also has experience as an executive at three different networks which gives him added insight into the complexities and ever-changing programming needs of our industry at this moment. We?re thrilled to welcome him to the Universal Television family."

Janollari was most recently MTV head of programming and prior to that was WB Network president. As a producer, he?s responsible for more than a dozen shows across the broadcast and cable spectrum.

Janollari said, "The opportunity to work with Bela, Jen Salke, Bob Greenblatt and all of the creative people at Universal Television - some of whom I have known for the better part of two decades - is what I?m really looking forward to. I?m very excited about returning to producing again after nearly 10 years on the network side and hopefully supplying attention-getting new shows to all of the networks."

Greenblatt said, "We had a very satisfying and successful producing partnership and I know first-hand how incredible David is in the creative process. He?s one of the best producers I?ve ever worked with and I?m thrilled to be back in business with him at our studio. When he left MTV it became my goal to talk him back into producing again."

MUMBAI: MTV?s musical reality show Coke Studio@MTV is set to return with its third season. The channel introduced the ?leap FROG to Coke Studio@MTV? initiative, which gives young musical talent an opportunity to contest for a coveted spot in the renowned show.

?leap FROG to Coke Studio@MTV? is a precursor to season 3 of the popular music show. It is a venture between Coke Studio@MTV and Blue Frog and will take place at the latter in Mumbai and Delhi respectively.

The event provides a platform for bands performing independent music to get a chance to fast track their way to glory. The idea announces the return of Coke Studio@MTV Season 3 and also sets to scout for young talent.

Coke Studio@MTV is produced and broadcast by Viacom 18 in association with Coca Cola India Pvt Ltd. The show has had a successful run of season 1 and season 2 which were aired on MTV India, Colors and MTV India, Doordarshan (national) respectively.

MTV India EVP and business head Aditya Swamy said, "As we curate the show, we are always looking to present artists that are below the collective conscience. This platform gives us a window into the growing Indi music scene from where we have found some incredible talent in the past. Being a platform that discovers and supports young talent is in the DNA of MTV. It?s this very aspect of discovery that makes the show exciting for the viewers as well. So I am looking forward to hearing some fresh new music".

Building on the phenomenal success of season 2 of the series that captured the imagination of Indian audiences with twelve breakthrough producers and over 200 incredible musicians, this year?s edition of Coke Studio@MTV will take the musical journey to the next level.

Talking about the initiative, Coca Cola India integrated marketing communications director Wasim Basir said, "The adulation from the audience propelled us to take the show to the new level, and for the first time, open up the platform to music aspirants through the ?leap FROG to Coke Studio@MTV? initiative. We hope to see a wide cross-section of bands from all over the country come forth and ?Open Happiness? by joining Coca-Cola in its journey to inspire and provoke innumerable moment of happiness through its flagship music property, Coke Studio."

Talking about the association, Blue Frog MD Simran Mulchandani says, "Since its opening in Mumbai and Delhi, blue FROG revolutionised the live music scene by creating a stage that gave artists of all genres and styles a chance to perform in the two sweetest sounding venues in the country. ?leap FROG To Coke Studio@MTV? goes several steps further: it will discover new talent and create opportunities for budding musicians by giving them a chance to compete for a spot on the hugely successful Coke Studio@MTV. It has the potential of becoming the largest platform for artist discovery in India and being a part of this initiative is a huge milestone."