Lionsgate, Zed Unveil Mobile Partnership
Will Co-Develop Programming for Mobile Devices
By Linda Moss -- Multichannel News, 9/11/2008 12:32:00 PM
Lionsgate and Zed, the mobile content company, reached an agreement to co-develop mobile entertainment projects, based on Lionsgate films, television programming and music as well as original properties for mobile devices, officials said Thursday.
The agreement is meant to not only leverage Lionsgate content in the form of mobile video across Zed’s global network of mobile operators, but to also create new revenue streams and creative opportunities through traditional ringtones, wallpaper and games as well as new forms of mobile interactive communities.
Zed develops and markets entertainment and community products and services for mobile distribution through a network of 130 mobile operators, reaching over 50 global territories and 2 billion mobile subscribers.
“Consumers are clearly increasing penetration of the mobile market, and as two next-generation entertainment companies, we’re excited to form our global partnership with Zed to create a powerful new industry model for mobile entertainment,” Curt Marvis, Lionsgate’s president of digital media, said in a prepared statement. “We look forward to bringing this fresh opportunity to consumers by the end of year, and this agreement continues our momentum in creating innovative new content deals to serve the digital marketplace worldwide.”
Lionsgate manages a prolific library of about 12,000 motion picture and television titles, including its Saw horror franchise, and the critically acclaimed Mad Men and Weeds.
Together, Lionsgate and Zed will oversee financing, development, production, marketing and distribution.
“This agreement truly represents the 21st century model of Hollywood entertainment evolving to serve new global distribution markets. I am confident we will significantly increase the success of the two enterprises,” Zed founder and CEO Javier Pérez Dolset said in a prepared statement.
