14 December 2013 Market Preview By Sara Alessi The organizers of the Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF) ensure that there are enough timely events at the 14th annual gathering in Singapore to attract a large number of program buyers from Southeast Asia, who in turn will draw more sales companies to promote program sales, which, of course, is ATF’s raison d’etre. New to ATF this year is MIPAcademy Singapore, produced by the Paris-based Reed MIDEM (organizer of MIP-TV and MIPCOM) and Singapore-based Reed Exhibitions Singapore (ATF’s organizer), in collaboration with the Berlin-based The Entertainment Master Class. MIPAcademy offers a full-day suite of master classes held as part of the ATF conference slate. It will take place on December 6, the last day of the four-day conference. The ATF Animation Lab is also new this year. It’s a three-day matchmaking platform dedicated to Asian animation producers seeking coproduction and funding opportunities. Pitches from finalists will be conducted December 4-6. Finalists will present to a group of seven executives (commissioners and investors) behind closed doors. In addition, ScreenSingapore returns to ATF with four days of comprehensive conference sessions. A few years ago, the “Screen” began as an independent event held in Singapore in June. After a shaky start, last year it was taken over by Reed Exhibitions and was combined with ATF, thus adding a film element to the TV market. The only requirement for ATF participants is that buyers have to indicate their interest in the “Screen” in order to attend the film premieres, ScreenSingapore’s key element. Apparently, the aforementioned events have stimulated the interest of international distributors to the point that, this year, there is a record number of around55 first-timemarket exhibitors, including Italy’s Mondo TV, the U.K.’s TCB, Canada’s 9 Story Entertainment, Malaysia’s Artakus and many more. At press time, some 180 exhibitors had registered and organizers anticipated over 4,000 attendees representing 17 countries. Last year, ATF drew 3,917 international participants from more than 50 countries. Ultimately, though, sales volume is what will determine the success of the market, regardless of the success of its sideshows. ToddBartoo, seniormanager ofWorldwide Sales and Acquisitions for the Los Angeles-based Starz, explained that though the company has attended Filmart in Hong Kong in the past, it has never attendedATF before. They’re optimistic though, as they have “heard good things about this market.” Bartoo said that since Starz is launching several new series, including pirate adventureBlack Sails, the company decided, “this would be a great year to attend and check out ATF.” 9 Story is another first-time attendee. Natalie Osborne, managing director for the Canadian company, said that “Asia has always been an incredibly important market for 9 Story, and with our recent acquisition of CCI Kids and an expanded team, we now have the opportunity to build an even stronger presence across the territory.” For that reason, Federico Vargas — who recently joined 9 Story from CCI as director of Distribution — will attend ATF to “strengthen existing relationships and establish new ones.” She added that “ATF is an important part of our strategy to deepen our presence in Asia. Compared with some of the other major markets we attend, ATF provides a great opportunity to meet with some of the regional players, and we are very hopeful that this year’s ATF will produce strong results for us.” Martha Contreras, who’s in charge of Sales for Asia for Mexico’s Comarex, stated that her company has “always attended ATF — ever since the first year it was organized and each year we look forward to meeting and catching up with all our clients and partners who do not attend other markets such as MIPCOM.” This year, she and Marcel Vinay Jr., CEO of Comarex, will attend the market in Singapore. “We’ve been attending the market for many years, so it’s not a decision that we make on a yearly basis, it’s really part of our business in Asia,” saidMarielle Zuccarelli, managing director of International Content Distribution for A+E Networks. “We have an office in Singapore, and we have three executives there dedicated to the content business in Asia.” ATF is also vital for GRB Entertainment. Benn Watson, VP of International Sales, said, “ATF is one of the premier events on our annual calendar. The market offers us the opportunity to meet with our local Asian broadcasters to develop our understanding of the local trends and demands of audiences in the region and in turn, offer the latest in U.S. and worldwide entertainment to fulfill those needs.” “I have attended the ATF for the last six years,” said Zodiak Rights’ VP of Sales, Naomi Koh. “It’s a great opportunity to catch up with my clients and meet new broadcasters and producers from Asia. It’s an important market for us, being able to focus on the needs of our Asian buyers and spend more timewith them than is possible during other markets is a great way to cement relationships and learn more about what they need.” Caracol Television has been attending since 2005, andasEstefaniaArteaga, Sales executive for Eastern Europe and Asia, said, “each year seems to be more informative and more influential. For Asia, this is the vital meeting point.” For Breakthrough Entertainment’s director of International Distribution, Kate Blank, “ATF has proven to be of great value in building and nourishing our relationships, especially in Southeast Asia.” Blank added that “this market allows us to follow up with those broadcasters we have strong relationships with and continue to build on our relationships with clients who don’t regularly attend other programming markets.” She also noted that ATF is a place where the company keeps its eye out for acquisitions. This is the third time Breakthrough will attend the market, and “this face-to-face time has proven to be a valuable asset in our efforts to license our programming in Asia,” she said. Blank explained that Southeast Asia is a “challenging territory mainly due to the diversity Asia TV Forum Adds New Features To Attract Buyers Many new exhibitors breathe new life into the Asian market Tony Chow, independent TV consultant for Southeast Asia Studio 100 Media’s Patrick Elmendorff Televisa’s Javier Paez, Mario Castro (Continued on Page 16)
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