International magazine covering the business of television and film

Viewpoints: Sales Strategies

Patricio Teubal
Head of Sales
Mediaset Distribution
Italy

Can you tell us about the most important changes in your company's activities in 2009?

We have increased our scripted formats catalogue and we have closed options in six different countries. We have also worked for the launch of an International Channel for Italians living abroad that will happen in the last quarter of this year.

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What are your sales strategies for this autumn?

We are looking into the possibility of engaging international co-productions for the next year, as well as continuing with our ongoing business of ready-made content and format sales.

What are the most important countries 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 as well.

What new titles will you offer during MIPCOM?

At the upcoming MIPCOM Mediaset Distribution will be presenting several fiction productions: "Join the family" (Family series) - two opposing worlds that come together in a new family, that of Giulio and Lucia who, after twenty years, find themselves in love again with each other, like – and maybe even more than – when they were kids. "RIS Paris" (Crime Series) - a new team working in Paris to reconstruct crimes piece by piece. "Antimafia Squad" (Mafia Series) - after the arrest of Provenzano, the last godfather, Cosa Nostra still has not found a new leader respected by everyone. Internal tensions and rivalries, along with pressure from the forces of law and order and investigating magistrates, have so far prevented the re-establishment of a single Mafia leader … "Girlfriends" (Comedy Series) - four portraits of contemporary women aged between 35 and 40, getting to grips with the most classic of problems: men. "Follow your dreams" (Family TV movie) -Stella has a dream: to become a dancer, but she works at the port, an exhausting job very far from her childhood dreams. An audition for a prestigious dance school leads her to Milan, but she fails the exam, as she has never been able to attend the right dance schools. A new chance to follow her dreams is provided by Lorenzo, a famous TV producer, who gives Stella the opportunity to take part in a new talent show … "V.I.P." (Comedy TV Movie) - Do you want to be part of this jet-set? At the society event of the year organized by Rome's most famous PR, there are more than just international celebrities; there are also a number of "accidental" guests who, whatever it takes, want to get into the gilded world of the VIPs … "55 Days to death" (Biographical Miniseries) - the true story of Aldo Moro's assassination. The complex and delicate journey embarked on by Aldo Moro, one of the greatest Italian statesmen. "The courage of a princess" (Biographical Miniseries) - the inspiring true story of Princess Mafalda Savoy, who endured the greatest hardships of the century with regal dignity and compassion.

As Scripted Formats Mediaset Distribution will present: "Mr. Mom" (Sitcoms 20x30 ' - 2 Seasons), "About My Brother" (Dramedy Series – 6x100 ', "Family Storm" – 36x50 ', 4 Seasons), "My Daughters" (Drama Series, 36x50 ', 3 Seasons).