Pivot Greenlights Two Original Docu-Series ‘TerraCycle’ and ‘Welcome To Fairfax’

PASADENA (January 11, 2014) – During a presentation today for television critics, Pivot (Pivot.tv), Participant Media’s TV network targeting Millennials (18-34), announced that it has greenlit production of two original unscripted series, “TerraCycle,” premiering in Q3 2014 and “Welcome to Fairfax” for Q4 2014. The announcement was made today by Evan Shapiro, President, Pivot and Belisa Balaban, Senior Vice President, Alternative Programming.

“We are dedicated to telling unique stories that spark conversation and inspire action and each of these shows is a reflection of our audience and the types of fulfilling jobs they seek,” said Balaban. “Tom and the TerraCycle team are a colorful and hilarious group whose jobs mean more to them than a paycheck. As a result, their office culture is like few others you will find. Fairfax is focused on individuals that are striving to do what they love while also making a prosperous living for themselves and their community.”

Documenting the non-stop and deadline-driven world of an innovative New Jersey-based company touted as the “coolest little start-up in America,” “TerraCycle” is a ten episode half-hour, comedic “occu-series” about an eccentric entrepreneur, Tom Szaky, and his staff, who have made it their mission to eliminate the concept of waste. A 32-year-old businessman and Princeton University dropout, Tom‘s multimillion-dollar business (which operates in 24 countries) takes anything and everything that is land-fill bound — from potato chip bags to cigarette butts — and recycles, up-cycles and transforms them into cool and functional new products. TerraCycle is a place where visionary thinking is celebrated. A mix of hippie types who take time away from their desk to share in some kale chips or morning yoga vs. the older and more skeptical staff who find the younger set to be a “bit naïve.” The one thing all the employees have in common is a passion for the “brand” and a willingness to do what it takes to get the job done. Produced by Ken Druckerman, Banks Tarver and Anneka Jones of Left/Right (Mob Wives, Small Town Security, This American Life), the series is executive produced by Jeff Skoll and Belisa Balaban who is also executive in charge of production for Pivot.

“Welcome to Fairfax” is a behind-the scenes look at a vibrant, artistic and unique community that has emerged in the Fairfax area of Los Angeles, as seen through the eyes of some of the young visionaries who inhabit it. The neighborhood, which is often visited by megastars who themselves are looking for the newest fads, is a crossroads of the skate-life and rap-life filled with the next wave of young trendsetters and innovators who are willing to defy the odds in order to achieve greatness. Each of the ten half-hour episodes spotlights Millennials with varying interests who share the same mantra, “Dream Big, Grind Hard and Be Chill”: Mizzle is a self-taught entrepreneur and social activist, determined to grow his fashion brand on a global level to support his family; Felicia, his make-up artist girlfriend, is striving to create her own brand while caring for her sibling who struggles with addiction; and The CBG: Chill Black Guys, a rap group with a distinctive sound and message of being true to who you are and owning whatever you are passionate about. Produced by Ryan Sidhoo and Ben Selkow, along with Todd Lubin and Jay Peterson of Matador, the series is executive produced by Jeff Skoll and Belisa Balaban, who is also executive in charge of production for Pivot.

About Pivot
Pivot (Pivot.tv), which launched nationally August 1, is a television network from Participant Media serving passionate Millennials (18-34) with a diverse slate of talent and a mix of original series, acquired programming, films and documentaries. Pivot focuses on entertainment that sparks conversation, inspires change and illuminates issues through engaging content and, through its website TakePart.com, connects audiences to a wealth of content and customizable actions. Pivot is available via traditional Pay TV subscription and integrating a Live and on demand streaming option via its interactive, downloadable Pivot APP. In both content and delivery, Pivot is TV for The New Greatest Generation. Follow Pivot on Twitter at@pivot_tv and on Facebook at facebook.com/pivottelevision.

About Participant Media
Participant (ParticipantMedia.com) is a global entertainment company founded in 2004 by Jeff Skoll to focus on feature film, television, publishing and digital content that inspires social change. Participant’s more than 45 films include GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK, SYRIANA, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, FOOD, INC., WAITING FOR ‘SUPERMAN’, THE HELP, CONTAGION and LINCOLN. Through its films, social action campaigns, digital network TakePart.com and Pivot, its new television network for Millennials, Participant seeks to entertain, encourage and empower every individual to take action.