In addition, MJZ announced its affiliation with Los Angeles-based Biscuit Filmworks where director Noam Murro and executive producer Shawn Lacy Tessaro are principals. According to the agreement, MJZ and Biscuit will function as sister companies, each maintaining its own brand.

"Propaganda collapsed and that really changed the world of production as we know it," said Murro in an interview with Boards. "With the king gone, questions were raised as to who would be the new king? All of a sudden, MJZ became an important force in the industry based on Spike - and what comes after Spike, quite frankly."

Murro contends the agreement was based on a simple handshake with the purpose of sharing resources, information, and future representation in the European market.

"What is the nature of the beast? Here's what it's not. We didn't sell Biscuit or part of Biscuit," states Murro. "It's an independent corporation. What we have done is created an affiliation of resources including European representation and board flow, all of the things that are the lifeblood of directors. [Zander] is the king and it's good to be next to the king."

MJZ executive producer David Zander characterized the relationship as a means of developing new talent while maintaining the current MJZ roster.

"We do not want to become a big monster company with so many directors that we cannot follow through and maximize each one's career," said Zander. "We've decided that rather than try to be a 20- or 25-director production company, we would stay very focused and then anyone we were interested in creatively we could bring to Biscuit."

Biscuit's directorial roster includes Murro, London-based Brian Baderman, and former Propaganda helmer Jeffrey Fleisig.

Zander's business model appealed to Jonze, whose decision to sign with MJZ was based upon the company's financial stability and sound reputation.

"I love Propaganda and Satellite but the thing about MJZ is that it seems they want to keep it small and tight," said Jonze. "They're a pretty low-key company. You go into their office and it's so mellow. It's organized and clean and you get the impression that's the way they do things. Also, I was able to sit down with David and ask him which agencies I should try to work with and who's doing good stuff."

Ever since Propaganda/Satellite closed its doors, there has been talk of bidding wars ultimately won with fat signing bonuses. It is believed that both Jonze and Ariola received a million dollars up front, while Kuntz & Maguire commanded $500,000 between them.

Zander would not disclose the terms of agreement except to say that the directors were more concerned with the company's culture and work ethic than money.

"We've been very fortunate during very difficult times, separate of these guys joining us. To that point we believe that the decisions we've made are conservative, prudent and well-advised," said Zander.

Newcomers Jonze, Ariola and Kuntz & Maguire join directors Rocky Morton, Sean Thonson, Jonathan David, Keir McFarlane, Tom DeCerchio, Annabel Jankel, Bob Richardson, Craig Gillespie, Marcus Nispel, Victor Garcia and Carlton Chase on the MJZ roster.

Meanwhile, bicoastal HSI laid claim to directors Kevin Bray and Geoffrey Barish while Charles Wittenmeier set up shop with former Straw Dogs Jessie Dylan and Craig Rogers. Their production company is called Form and is home to director Mike Rowles.

Director Maggie Zackheim, best known for her recent 10-spot Coors campaign out of FCB, Chicago as well as her collaboration on VH1's Random Play, signed with bicoastal HKM, while former colleague and Satellite executive producer Phillip Detchmendy was named managing director at Tool of North America.

At press time, not all of the former Propaganda/Satellite directors and producers had been accounted for. The conventional wisdom is that those deemed MIA, namely Josh Taft, Brian Beletic and Brian Carmody, may open their own production house in the New Year.