Biography

JEANNE FRIEDMAN (DOWNS)

Jeanne has a long career in both TV and music in the UK and US.  Getting her big break in the 90s in the UK, she presented/hosted CITV (CHILDREN'S ITV) for several years.  This daily, live, networked show had ratings in excess of 3 million across the UK and Europe. Working extensively in children’s programming alongside Executive Producers and TV Channel/Network Controllers from all the ITV regions, she immersed herself in every aspect of producing a kids' TV show and was responsible for the programme content, assuming several additional roles as associate producer, researcher, celebrity booker, script writer and music associate. Her firm appearance as ‘the face’ of CITV lead to celebrity appearances on many other UK shows and establishing herself as voice over artist.  Post CHILDREN’S ITV era she signed several recording contracts (SCRATCH, SONY, PERFECTO, WILDLIFE) as a singer/songwriter under various guises and met her husband to be, record producer/song writer Aron Friedman. Together their music production company, Smudge Productions, produced/wrote/remixed for many international artists including BACK STREET BOYS, TAKE THAT, ALEXANDER O’NEAL, KIM WILDE, ROZALLA…. as well as developing and signing their own artists.  Jeanne also went onto become a highly respected vocal coach, session and live singer and performance consultant working independently and for record/production companies, solo artists and bands. She headed up the 'Pop Academy' Program at the ACM in Guildford, Surrey managing the whole team and developing the three year curriculum. Since relocating to LA  Jeanne has been involved with several TV and music projects co-creating and producing a varied selection of programming 'both sides of the pond', including pre-school children's show (Jungle Productions), scripted comedy (Sassy Films UK), and a reality show joint venture (Relativity Television ) in Hollywood.  With her entreprenurial streak still entact she has also co-developed a brand new pre-school music franchise business with classes in both Los Angeles and the UK.