Cartoon Production and Distribution

In addition to being active in related sectors, Mondo TV (a group of 7 companies whose main office is in Rome) is the leader in Italy, and among one of the primary European operators, in the production and distribution of animated cartoon series as well as full-length feature films for TV and film markets.

Japanese Cartoon Distribution

Specialised chiefly in the creation and world-wide distribution of animated cartoons, the Group also distributes some of the best-known Japanese animated series in Italy, as well as in several Spanish-speaking countries

Continuous Style Research

The animated series produced by Mondo TV have always set themselves apart by their topflight educational value and the fact that very few of their episodes depict violent material. In terms of the group’s cartoon style, Mondo’s animated material is the result of a multi-year stylistic exploration geared towards the creation of both original characters and settings.

TV and film distribution

Mondo TV distributes cartoon series and animated features:

A - Mondo TV distributes its own production in Italy and abroad.

B - Doro TV Merchandising distributes Japanese cartoon series in Italy and, on a smaller scale, in Spanish speaking territories.

TV Distribution rights for the Group's cartoon series are sold to public and private networks including Free TV, Pay TV, Pay for View, Cable TV, and satellite TV.

In 1999 Mondo TV produced its first animated feature "The legend of Titanic" (running time 80 mins). This film was distribuited in March 2000 (25 cinemas in 10 italian regions).

Mondo TV is working on its second animated feature "The prince of the dinosaurs" (running time 80 mins). This film is scheduled for distribution in the fall of 2000.

Ancillary activities

In recent years Mondo TV has concentrated on building up its presence in sectors complementary to its core business.

This policy is being carried out by expanding distribution activity in ancillary sectors in order to increase marketing efficiency and competitivity.

In 1999 almost 20 % of Mondo TV's revenue was generated in ancillary sectors with the largest share coming from the sale of Home Video rights (13,2% of 1999 income).

Ancillary sectors in which Mondo TV is active or intends to expand are:

A - Home Video. Sale and rental (video or DVD) of cartoon series and features in Mondo TV's Library through various outlets (newstands, GDO, video store, ecc...).

B - Music. Sale of children's books with Mondo TV soundtracks on CD or audio cassette through various outlets (music stores, newstands, shopping malls).

C - Multimedia productions. In 1997 Mondo Tv began selling CD-Rom packages with interactive children's games based on Mondo TV cartoon characters and stories.

D - Publishing. From 1991 Mondo TV has published books, comic books, magazines, and sticker albums based on its cartoon series and movies.

E - Merchandising. The core characters of Mondo TV cartoons are used to endorse gadgets, toys and child wear.

Mondo Tv's Library: a strategical asset

The [original] animated series owned by the Group, together with those for which it holds distribution rights (the “library”), provide Mondo TV with an important strategic resource, as well as a significant advantage over its competitors.

Each series is created either by Mondo TV itself or in collaboration with leading operators in the sector. Anywhere from 300 to 600 animators are employed during the executive phase of production in order to achieve a high quality product geared toward the forefront of the market.

The Mondo TV library includes TV cartoon series and feature length cartoons:

The European market

Mondo TV operates at the international level. For example over 83% of revenue in 1999 was generated in Europe.

Specifically 50 % of overall revenue was generated in Italy, 33% in the rest of Europe.
The remaining 17% was split primarily between Asia (9%) and America (5%).

Key markets in which Mondo TV intends to consolidate or develop its activity are:
a- TV
b- Home Video
c- Feature Films.

The TV Market is the hub of Mondo TV's future planning. In the last 15 years the International TV scenario has drastically changed. The original handful of primarily public managed channels now competes with a huge numbers of private networks on an equal footing.

World wide turnover for the TV cartoon market is calculated at 2.143 million dollars. The European share is calculated at 723 million dollars (34%) (source: Screen Digest, The business of children's television, 1999).

The trasformation of the sector, not only in terms of new broadcasters but also in pure market dimension, means an huge request of TV cartoon series at both the national and continental levels. This offers big growth opportunities for Mondo TV, and all producers of TV cartoon series.

Diversification Strategy for Related Sectors

Broadcasted by the leading Italian and international TV networks, the Group’s productions consist of television series and animated cartoons which include “The Jungle Book”, ”Sandokan,” and “Jesus, A Kingdom Without Frontiers,” as well as full-length animated features such as “Pocahontas,” “The Legend of Titanic,” and “Robin Hood.”

Active in the audiovisual animation sector since 1964, the Group later adopted a diversification stategy in 1997 for several related sectors to exploit the rights of the animated cartoon series produced in-house. By 2002 related sectors grew up to 67% of the Group's total revenue. These related are the following: Audiovisual Distribution, Musical Distribution (music cassettes, CDs combined with books for children), Multimedia Applications (CD Rom, CD-I and interactive games), Publishing (books and sticker albums), and Merchandising and Licensing.

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