The
James Gang and OMDC see a “Hollywood ending”
Ontario’s
top new media producers schmooze Hollywood in a four-day
immersion mission promoting new business in LA
Toronto,
April 2, 2003 – Five of Ontario’s most innovative content
producers have just returned from a four-day whirlwind of high-powered
meetings designed to open doors to future business opportunities in
LA. And despite the ominous shadow of the Iraq war, the mission went
off without a hitch. An initiative of the Ontario Media Development
Corporation (OMDC),
it was sponsored by Telefilm
Canada.
Co-ordinated
on behalf of the OMDC by Franke James, Co-founder of The James
Gang, the mission delivered high level networking opportunities
with key American executives at major entertainment studios, content
aggregators and game companies. The blockbuster list included Universal,
the WB Network, Warner Bros, Sega, Disney Online, Film Roman,
Yahoo, Google, Lions Gate, Morrison & Foerster LLP, Creative Artists
Agency, William Morris, ICM and Mondo Media.
The LA Trade Mission also sponsored the Digital
Coast Games Panel breakfast with EA, THQ, Activision
and Infogrames.
Agnes
M. Zak, Head of New Media for Ontario, Telefilm, summed up the mission,
"I think that the mission has been very successful. We reached
a diverse group of the industry players, who were not only knowledgeable
in their fields but also surprisingly easy to talk to and very open
to the idea of building future relationships."
OMDC
CEO Michel Frappier observed, "The LA Mission is an excellent
example of the many exciting initiatives the OMDC supports. Together
with the private sector we're finding innovative ways to tell the
world about the high caliber cultural products that Ontario is producing
-- and that we're ready to do business! The James Gang put together
a terrific meeting schedule with key players from the entertainment
industry in Los Angeles."
The
James Gang's Franke James comments, “Leading the LA Mission
was a tremendous experience. It was very enjoyable to see that our
trade group grew more and more 'attractive' as the US companies realized
the value proposition of working with Ontario based companies to co-produce
and syndicate original Canadian content. Talent and expertise when
coupled with the exchange rate advantage, tax credits and funding
possibilities make a compelling package. With savvy follow-up, I am
confident that all of the producers will reap great rewards.”
Projects
on the mission included properties designed for TV, web, wireless,
and iTV with a primary focus on gaming and animation. The participating
producers were Immersion Studios, Breakthrough Films, Oceanus Communications,
Sailor Jones Media and Firebrand Interactive. Trade delegate Brian
Katz, Business and Corporate Development for Immersion Studios, assessed
the success of the LA Mission, "I want to pass on my appreciation
to The James Gang for leading a seamless and insightful trip to Los
Angeles last month. The meetings at the Studios and Agencies proved
invaluable to us in negotiating the nuances of Hollywood and in learning
about new opportunities. One of the best advantages of the trip was
the personal attention that was given to us as a small group that
allowed for one on one interaction. The results were a more focused
discussion that will lead to partnering arrangements to help support
our growth into the US market."
The James Gang thanks Toronto
Film Studios for their
gracious hospitality in hosting the "LA Kick-off" Briefing
Session. TFS is Canada’s largest film and television studio
complex located on a 10 acre lot close to downtown Toronto.
About
Franke James
Co-creator of Office-Politics®
Co-Founder, The
James Gang, and Nerdheaven
Ltd.
Franke James is an artist and writer who has carved out a
unique hybrid career in entertainment, leading-edge technology, and
advertising. She has been featured as a creative innovator on the
CTV show "Innovating Tomorrow" in 2002. In January 2003
Franke was profiled on CTV’s WebMania about "Office-Politics",
an original entertainment property designed for TV, web, wireless
and print. Franke has presented at conferences including Flashforward2001
San Francisco, Flashforward2000 New York, and the World Animation
Celebration 2000, Hollywood and has acted as a Judge for the Flashforward
Film Festival and Marketing Magazine's Digital Awards. Going forward,
Franke is focused on creating original content, which can be licensed,
from broadband through to wireless. The
James Gang designs original content which integrates multi-player
communication, entertainment, advertising, and market research capability
between traditional and new media. The James Gang Advertising Inc.,
is a privately held company based in Toronto, Canada. For more information
go to: www.jamesgang.com
