MUMBAI: National Geographic Venture’s Digital Media Group in the US has announced that it has signed a three-year agreement with production house Miditech to represent its digital archives throughout the Indian subcontinent region.
The arrangement seeks to expand the potential customer base of National Geographic’s extensive archive material and film footage by utilising Miditech’s existing client base and creating a local presence within India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. This will mark the first time National Geographic’s digital archive material and footage will be represented in the Indian subcontinent.
National Geographic’s Digital Media Group offers an array of media elements in high definition and standard formats. Content includes raw footage, short programming, long programming, scientific experiments, interviews, lectures, news, history and cultural materials to traditional media licensees, as well as to online, mobile, computer and video game developers and other new and emerging technologies.
Miditech CEO Nikhil Alva says, "We work closely with National Geographic in India on projects. So we understand what their brand is all about and also what the long term objectives are. This partnership will extend the relationship we have with them. The footage that they have on subjects like wildlife and natural history is fantastic. We do similar work and we have a library of our own which has been built over the course of a decade. So the two libraries coming toegether makes for a strong proposition.
"The footage can be used in different ways. There is the route of offering footage to ad agencies and production houses. Footage can also be given to film companies who might refashion the same and introduce a new perspective. We would also look at approaching educational institutions. These days a lot of schools and colleges feel the need to supplement textbooks with video. Another possibility is creating clips for the mobile from National Geographic footage.
"Miditech has built a solid brand name over the years through a consistent track record. So people from the industry would feel comfortable with approaching us for their video requirements. We are also looking to tap into existing relationships we have with industry members. Our experience and brand image coupled with our access to broadcasters, production houses and others put us in a unique position to leverage this initiative with National Geographic to create and rapidly expand the market for quality stock footage in the region”.
Alva adds that Miditech is producing five one hour documentaries for NGC. These will air next year in the first quarter. Topics covered will include earthquakes and cyclones.
