NEWS RELEASE APRIL 2003    
   

 

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

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
The James Gang
416.256.9166
franke@jamesgang.com