26th Jun 2008 13:13
|
Immediate Release |
26 June 2008 |
DQ Entertainment Plc
DQ Entertainment Plc in five year $100m co-production partnership with Moonscoop Group
$100m budget to co produce 5 TV series and 2 feature films
DQ Entertainment plc ("DQE"), the AIM listed, India based animation entertainment company, today announces that it has entered into a 5 year alliance with MoonScoop Group ("Moonscoop"), Europe's leading management and entertainment company engaged in the production, distribution, licensing, merchandising, marketing and distribution of animated creations. The alliance will capitalise on the individual business networks and production expertise of both groups, and provide global operational leverage.
Key points
Alliance between leading animation and entertainment companies in India and Europe
To co -produce at least 5 TV series and 2 feature films with a total estimated budget of over $100m
To release 1 TV series or film every year until 2012
Talks initiated on current joint project Casper's Scare School. Also worked together on The Fantastic Four
In the new partnership, DQE and MoonScoop aim to co-produce at least five TV series and two feature films (animated and/or live action) for worldwide distribution, with a total estimated global budget of over $100 million. They expect to release at least one TV series or film each year of the agreement, which runs through 2012.
One or more of the co-productions may feature Indian mythology and characters which are becoming increasingly popular with audiences worldwide. Finally, the companies will also focus on new media business development, following in the footsteps of MoonScoop's successful launches of the kid-oriented VOD and Broadband channels Kabillion (in the US) and Taffy Kids (in Europe).
The new strategic partnership was initially discussed as MoonScoop and DQE began working together on the new animated TV series "Casper's Scare School," scheduled for 2009 and co-produced with Classic Media. The two companies also worked together successfully on "The Fantastic Four" animated series based on the famous superheroes from Marvel.
The MoonScoop Group's Mike Young Productions, based in the US and Wales also has a rich history with DQE, working together on the hit animated series "ToddWorld" and the upcoming "Twisted Whiskers," a co-production with American Greetings.
Tapaas Chakravarti Chairman & CEO of DQE Group said "This is an exciting strategic and functional partnership. There are compelling synergies in working together and we will jointly produce world class television productions and feature films, including those with Indian Mythology and stories. I am extremely pleased to extend our relationship with Moonscoop Group, one of the largest in this domain, to the next level of association."
"DQ Entertainment is one of the fastest-growing and most-respected animation studios in the world and this strategic agreement will allow each of us to nurture our upcoming projects to ensure their success in today's highly competitive marketplace," explains Christophe di Sabatino, co-Executive Chairman of The MoonScoop Group. "We look forward to working with them on a variety of projects."
Enquires:
Sumedha Saraogi, DQ Entertainment Limited
+91 40 2355 3726/27 or [email protected]
Mark Edwards / Jeremy Garcia
Buchanan Communications
+44 (0)20 7466 5000
Jeremy Ellis / Chris Clarke
Evolution Securities
+44 (0)20 7071 4300
About DQE:
* DQ Entertainment plc is a leading animation production company engaged in the production of traditional / digital animation and game art development with a substantial workforce and a global client base
* DQ Entertainment plc currently produces animation for films, television series and console based games for a number of international production houses
* DQ Entertainment plc has approximately 80 clients including Walt Disney Television Animation, Nickelodeon Animation Studios Inc., Electronic Arts, Marvel, American Greetings, NBC-Universal, BBC, Method Films and Take 2 Interactive
* DQ Entertainment plc has very large international quality production facilities in Hyderabad, India.
About MoonScoop Group
The MoonScoop Group is a leading worldwide production, distribution, brand management and entertainment company, focused on producing original projects and building brands with international appeal and longevity. Christophe and Benoit di Sabatino serve as co-executive chairmen of the group. The Group consists of some of the finest worldwide animation producers: MoonScoop Productions of France and Mike Young Productions in the USA; two highly-regarded production studios: LuxAnimation of Luxembourg and Antefilms Studio of France; Taffy Entertainment, a leading worldwide distribution and licensing company; and MoonScoop Digital Media, one of the newest and most technologically-advanced broadcast companies. Together, they combine many of the most successful programs and best-loved animated creations in the global television market. Its combined distribution catalogue includes over 3,000 half-hours of programming and over 100 titles, airing in more than 160 territories worldwide. Its key properties include "Code Lyoko," "Fantastic Four," "Titeuf" (Tootuff), "Pet Alien," "Mix Master," "Dr. Dog," "Hero:108," "Funky Cops," "Invisible Man," and "Casper." Established with the merger of France Animation and Antefilms Production and the acquisition of Mike Young Productions, MoonScoop Group now employs over
300 people worldwide.
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