The new venture capitalizes on Longoria’s incredible recreation; Abreko will continue in the management role of Panijoy
Eva Longoria and Chris Abrigo have known each other for 20 years. As two of entertainment’s most prominent Latino figures, they developed a strong friendship around their shared experiences and developed a similar interest in developing creative talent.
Longtime, actor-director-producer Longoria and veteran unscripted producer and executive Abreko have teamed up to launch Hyphenate Media Group, which will be part production company, part talent scouting agency and part commercial archive. Banijai, who serves as president of Africa America, has made a strategic investment in the company. Although spending his time building Hyphenate, Abreko will remain in his executive role with the French production company.
„With Hyphenate Media Group, Eva and I are building an engine for culture-defining content by investing in visionary multi-hyphenate artists and providing these extraordinary creative leaders with the resources and infrastructure they need to scale their businesses,” said Abrigo. „Through the capital, brand development and leadership provided by Hyphenate, we will enhance their creative output, improve their contracting ability, and grow their brands, creating franchises powered by original IP.”
Abrego serves as co-founder and CEO of Hyphenate; Longoria is co-founder and chief creative officer. As part of the launch, Hyphenate acquired „Desperate Housewives” star Longoria’s Incredible Entertainment banner, founded in 2005. The company’s active slate includes the upcoming Apple TV+ limited series „Land of Women,” which has been filmed and is awaiting release.
„With Hyphenate Media Group, Chris and I are harnessing the power of multi-hyphenate, the creative industry’s greatest resource, to help meet audiences and the industry they’re in,” said Longoria. „We are answering the industry’s call for premium inclusive content with broad appeal and an undeniable vision. Our mission is to provide greater financial contribution to producers, creators, talent and entrepreneurs – Hyphenates. With our business undergoing so many changes, I can’t think of a better time to lean on producers, the essential drivers of the creative enterprise.”
Hyphenate prefers to take a business development approach with creatives. Instead of working on a project-by-project basis, the company prefers to invest directly in creative content banners — creatives who want to act, write, direct, produce, and more — with self-proclaimed talent. / or hosting. The focus is mostly on TV and film projects, but podcasting, short-form content and other mediums are vital to the generation of auteurs Hyphenate wants to attract.
As Mexican Americans working in Hollywood, Abrego notes that he and Longoria emphasize the importance of the company’s name and creative focus.
„No one in Hollywood opened doors for us. We had to make our own way,” Abrego said Variety. „There’s power in being all kinds of hyphenated.”
Hyphenate marks Panijay’s first significant investment in the development of scripted content, which is currently a crowded field. Panijoy CEO Marco Pacetti noted that the combined strength of Abrego and Longoria gave them confidence.
„Combining Chris’s unique creative leadership with Eva’s reputation as a renowned producer, director and activist creates a powerful house where multiple hyphenated voices can tell truly inclusive core stories,” Bassetti said. „Furthermore, with an ambitious vision, unrivaled credentials and an impressive growth trajectory, this represents the perfect first strategic investment for us in the US script market; we have been exploring for some time, but so far, have not found the right fit to make the cut.
Abrego and Longoria are working on recruiting the management team for Hyphenate.
Longoria first made her mark as a star on ABC’s blockbuster drama „Desperate Housewives” and has since branched out as a director, producer, writer, entrepreneur and activist. His incredible banner produced the ABC drama „Grand Hotel,” the NBC comedy „Telenovela” and the Netflix documentaries „Reversing Row.” He made his feature directorial debut earlier this year with the Searchlight Pictures/Hulu drama „Flamin’ Hot.” Longoria was also tapped as one Variety10 Directors to Watch in 2023
Abrego got his start as a reality TV producer, delivering such enduring franchises as VH1’s „The Surreal Life” and „Flavor of Love.” After Endemol acquired his production banner 51 Minds in 2008, he moved to the executive suite. Apricot has led a whirlwind of ownership changes at Endemol, most recently selling it to Baneje in 2020. Abrigo leads the company’s product as the Americas President for PaniJ. and distribution operations throughout North, Central and South America. He is the author of 2016’s „Make It Reality: Create Your Opportunity, Own Your Success.”