MUMBAI: Television format creator and distributor FremantleMedia appointed Emma Turner to the position of senior executive producer, Worldwide Drama. In her new role Turner will support the operations of FremantleMedia?s Worldwide Drama division, working with local teams across Latin America, Asia, and Europe to facilitate all aspects of drama development and production.

Turner?s appointment comes as FremantleMedia continues to focus on maintaining and expanding its drama offering. She will play a key role in the development of regional and formattable drama as well as facilitating the sharing of best practice in drama production throughout FremantleMedia?s worldwide network of production companies.

FremantleMedia senior EVP, FMX and Worldwide Drama Claire Tavernier said, "Emma has an exceptional breadth of experience in drama. She has already proven her incredible talent with our colleagues in FremantleMedia Asia, helping to establish and support new drama teams and developing a slate of original drama series in the region. Emma has an impressive track-record with considerable international expertise and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Worldwide Drama team."

Turner is an experienced drama producer and executive, specialising in developing, establishing and refreshing returning drama series and soaps. She has worked all over the UK, as well as in Ireland, France, Holland, Africa and Asia. During her career she has worked on productions such as Holby City, Eastenders, and New Tricks.

Prior to joining FremantleMedia she spent eight months consulting and supporting the development and production of drama for FremantleMedia Asia, based at FremantleMedia?s office in Jakarta, Indonesia.

In her new role, Emma will be based in London and will report to FremantleMedia senior VP drama - production and network Donna Wiffen.

MUMBAI: FremantleMedia Enterprises, the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, has acquired international distribution rights (excluding the US, Canada, UK and Eire) for the home baking series, Baking Made Easy from Pacific Productions.

Baking Made Easy is presented by supermodel turned patisserie chef Lorraine Pascale. The series debuted on BBC2 in the UK, and attracted 2.7 million viewers.

During the series, Pascale shares her secrets, passion and knowledge on baking sweet and savory recipes.

Pascale?s recipes inspire everyone from the cautious cook to those with more accomplished skills.

She became a highly trained patisserie chef after completing a Leith?s Diploma of Food and Wine and a foundation degree in International Culinary Arts in Pastry. She went on to do stages in some of the most renowned kitchens in the world including the Michelin starred Petrus, The Mandarin Oriental, Gilgamesh and The Wolseley.

FME Global CEO David Ellender said, "FME have a premium catalogue of lifestyle and cookery shows and Lorraine Pascale?s Baking Made Easy will fit in extremely well. We are positive that her baking series will be popular amongst our international buyers."

Pacific Productions MD Rachel Purnell added, ?There is already an International buzz about this series and a lot of interest so we are delighted that FME is going to distribute it and look forward to working with them.?

MUMBAI: Simon Fuller has sued Fox and television producer Fremantlemedia claiming that they have reneged on a deal to give him a stake in ?The X-Factor? that is about to premiere in the US.

Fuller filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles claiming that he is owed both a fee and an executive producer credit for the stateside version of the singing contest. The case will be heard on 7 November 2011. 

He insists he was ?contractually promised? the money and acknowledgment in an agreement with Fremantle Media North America and Rupert Murdoch?s Fox network in 2005.

He has sued Fox for a ‘commensurate‘ fee from the profits of the new show. He has alleged breach of contract among other charges.

Fox and FremantleMedia issued a joint statement saying, "Mr. Fuller has not been hired, nor performed any duties, on the US version of ‘The X Factor. His suit seeks payment and credit as an executive producer despite his neither having been approved by the required parties, nor hired, as such. We believe this lawsuit is without merit and we expect to prevail."

Fuller?s lawyers responded by saying, ?Fox‘s position that Fuller‘s claim lacks merit because the parties have not approved him as executive producer is absurd. It is precisely because Fox was contractually obligated to approve Fuller as executive producer and has breached that obligation that the case was filed. ‘Fox appears to be admitting early on that they have breached the agreement.?