Tyra Banks’ Bankable Relaunches As SMiZE Productions, Signs With Echo Lake Entertainment For Management Of Scripted Content

Bankable Productions, the entertainment company founded by Emmy-winning television producer, host, entrepreneur and supermodel Tyra Banks, is relaunching as SMiZE Productions, a nod to her globally expanding, impact-driven ice cream company, SMiZE & Dream with locations in Australia (coming January 2024) and Dubai.

The company has signed with Echo Lake Entertainment for management of its scripted endeavors. SMiZE Productions continues to be represented by UTA for unscripted content.

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“I am a serious, hands-on producer that gets extreme pleasure in crafting unscripted concepts and scripted stories that excite people to the max. I love it so much!” says Banks. “Developing compelling, innovative content and experiences for an engaged global audience is a key priority of mine, and I’m tirelessly analyzing our projects to assess their financial upsides for all parties involved – after all, it’s the entertainment BUSINESS, right? Years of being a student and teacher at some of the best business schools has been the ultimate education for me on ROI. We strive to make audiences and executives very happy!”

Founded by Banks, SMiZE Productions develops projects that entertain with universal programming that harnesses Banks’ expansive global audience. The SMiZE team prioritizes content that hopes to inspire the next generation of female creators.

“We look forward to working with Tyra and her team to collaborate with her unique and multi-layered approach to scripted entertainment” said Matt Horwitz of Echo Lake. “This exciting venture has so many non-traditional dimensions and we’re thrilled to be working with such a creative and business focused entrepreneur, entertainer and producer.”

Most recently, it was announced that SMiZE Productions will scribe a graphic novel series based on their ice cream brand’s characters inspired by Tyra’s family. The graphic novel, co-written by Banks and SMiZE Production’s VP of Development Sabrina Besla, will be finalized through an immersive experience for fans who can share their input on the look and feel of lead characters.

Fans will have the opportunity to weigh in on its title and the final will be revealed at LA’s upcoming Comic-Con at the SMiZE & Dream booth from December 1-3. Comic Con attendees can even vie for a chance to be a character in the graphic novel. Echo Lake will spearhead the strategy for adaptation of the novels into film and television properties.

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