Viewpoints: sales strategies

Patricio Teubal
Head of International Sales 
Mediaset Distribution 
Italy 

Can you tell us about your sales strategies?

This year, in addition to our usual ready made program (RMP) sales, we will add the distribution of fiction formats. This will allow us to address markets that would normally not buy RMP in Italian language, but that are keen on the stories that are told in our productions. In the past years local fiction production has increased considerably in almost every country, so we're very enthusiastic about the sales of our formats and see them produced and adapted by producers around the world.

Corleone

What countries are the most important for your sales?

Western Europe is clearly our main region income-wise, whereas Eastern Europe is the region where we close the biggest amount of deals. Having said this, last year we had a positive response from Latin America, were we had an income growth of 40% approx with respect from the previous year.

In Asia, China began open its doors a little bit more to our fiction programs and we expect this trend to increase even more in 2008.

What are your key deals with TV channels in 2007?

Many deals were important for our positive 2007 results. I'll mention just a few: Police District 24x50 (seasons 1 and 2) and RIS – Crime Evidence 16x50 (season 3) to TF1 in France continued our trend of previous years; Elisa 26x50 (Season 2), A Matter of Respect 12x50'and Mom After All 6x100'were acquired in Spain. Germany's audiences could see our Miniseries Karol 1 and 2, and finally, in the Ukraine, we made a volume deal with the Inter TV group, which is not that common for us. In addition we've licensed a few fiction formats such as our soap opera Vivere (Living) in Greece, and the sitcom Casa Vianello (Young Enough) in Serbia and Croatia.

What countries will you target during MIPTV 2008? What TV channels will you target during MIPTV?

I would have to divide my reply in two, RMP and Formats. In the first case, we intend to maintain the relationships we have with our usual clients, and add up new clients that have arose lately. In particular, Digital Terrestrial Television and Pay TV has seen an important growth in the amount of channels, especially in Europe, so we will be focused on identifying those for which our programs could be suitable. Usually, these channels are based in Europe and Latin America.

With regards to formats, we will extend our focus also to Asia and English speaking countries, as the language of the program is not a problem in order to license a format. In this case our clients will not only be channels, but also production companies that will in turn do their own deal with the local broadcaster.

What are your new titles for MIPTV 2008?    

At MIPTV, MEDIASET DISTRIBUTION will present several fiction productions. To begin, "Corleone" (drama – miniseries 6x100'o 12x50'), the true story of the bloodiest living mafia boss in Italy's history, Totу Riina.  Other titles include "Good Buy" (  s itcom 20x24'), having to work with his wife at the family store … situations full of irony and sarcasm   will be inevitable! I n "I Absolve You" (thriller - TV movie 1x100'), the secret of confession will stop a priest from going to the police, and will force him to investigate about the serial murders that are haunting his town. "Destinies" (romantic comedy  -  movie  1x100') The destiny of a man that runs out of luck, but continues doing everything for love. Based on a true story. "Free To Play" (drama – miniseries 2x100') Inspired by the true story of a football team formed within a prison which, for the first time ever, took part in an official championship. 

"Murder  Of A General" (drama – miniseries 2x100') A man that knew how to fight organized crime, but could not do it  on his own . Based on a true story. "Christmas At Last" (comedy - TV movie 1x100'), finally it's Christmas… And our protagonists believe that, to maintain the love spark alive, they should avoid a traditional Christmas... Hopeless cases, a small town, a lawyer at odds … Our "Town Lawyer" (2 TV movies 1 x 100') will be able to sort everything out, one step at a time. They never forgot the night that forever changed their lives, tying them together- until the unforeseen conclusion: "Never Forget" (drama – miniseries 2x100'). "Callas & Onassis" (drama – miniseries 2x100'), the love story between the greatest singer and the richest man in the world.