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Sellers at the market have flocked from countries like Australia,
Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR,
India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Monaco, The Netherlands,
Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
United Kingdom and USA.
The participation of these industry heavyweights has spurred fresh
interest in the annual event. Indeed, aside from the heightened
excitement and buzz, the presence of these major media houses affirms
the dominant position of ATF|AFMC as Asia’s preeminent media marketplace.
The spokesperson from Buena Vista International Television – Asia
Pacific, the distribution arm of Walt Disney Television International
– Asia Pacific, commented, "We are excited about participating
at the ATF for the first time. We recognise that ATF is a market
that has continued to grow from strength to strength in regional
and international standing. We are committed to providing the best
content and service to our Asian clients and the unique value proposition
offered by ATF enables us to accomplish both."
ATF|AFMC has benefited from the relentless growth of burgeoning
Asian economies like China and India, as well as renewed interest
in rich, diverse and creative content by the East. Many industry
bigwigs have strongly echoed great confidence in Asia’s recovering
growth potential.
A recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (Global Entertainment
and Media Outlook: 2004 – 2008) projected that "spending in
Asia/Pacific (to acquire media content) will increase from $13.3
billion to $17.3 billion in the five-year period, growing at a 5.4
percent compound annual rate." This is a sentiment shared by
many sellers and new participants at ATF|AFMC. Not only are there
more buyers registered for this year’s event, ATF|AFMC continues
to attract the top buyers from more than 11 key Asian markets including
China and India.
CABLEready, USA director of programme marketing Sabrina Sanchez,
who is a first-time participant at ATF observed, "Asia and
Pacific Rim are regions where programme sales have flourished in
recent years. ATF makes doing business with Asian television companies
convenient by bringing together people from the entire region to
one place."
"We believe that Asia has been under-served and that the region
has great potential," added BKN New Media managing director
Ben Heng, who was also participating in ATF|AFMC for the first time.
ATF|AFMC is the key business platform where international programme
sellers converge to network and do business with Asian buyers and
partners. The 2004 edition will feature a special showcase on Animation,
iTV and locations with a comprehensive line up of conferences delivered
by key professionals in the media business, including a new conference
on media financing. The new highlights and features at ATF|AFMC,
reflecting the current and latest trends in the media industry,
have to date brought about a 30 per cent increase in new participants.
Some of the country pavilions present at the event include Australia,
Canada, China, France, Spain and Singapore.
"We have expanded the scope of this year’s event to broaden
and deepen the content offered. In addition to buying, selling and
distribution activities at the marketplace, Reed Exhibitions has
launched the Media Financing Forum, which explores financing and
co-production issues, in order to provide a matchmaking platform
for independent production companies to meet potential investors.
We are encouraged to learn that the industry has responded very
positively to the expanded event profile. It is also heartening
that the strong industry support and presence of major companies
reflect well on our decision to relocate the event to a more accessible
venue in response to customers’ feedback. We are confident that
this year’s event will surpass previous’ presentations in terms
of the value of transactions made as well as CO-production opportunities
explored," said Reed Exhibitions Singapore vice president Michelle
Lim.
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