Dentsu’s new plan for SEA

Dentsu or to most the co-organiser and also major Japanese based advertising company, will be expanding their presences in the South East Asia, forming the new intellectual property content management and development division.

It’s role will be to distribute Dentsu’s IPs and also developing and distributing new products made with local productions.First on the list thou is the distribution of Maple Story, The Animation and Deltora Quest, both produced by Dentsu.

Below is the report by Brand Republic and a little of my view…

Dentsu Media appoints Teo to head new content management division

by David Blecken 11-Nov-08, 15:00

SINGAPORE - Dentsu Media has appointed Anna Teo to the newly created role of director of content development in Singapore.

Teo, who was previously head of acquisitions and programming at Animax Asia, a division of Sony Pictures Network Asia, will oversee the agency’s intellectual property content management and development division, which produces and distributes animé, live-action, music and game show entertainment. The facility’s principal clients will reportedly consist of TV networks, home video and new media licensing agents.

Initial responsibilities for Teo will include the distribution and licensing of the Dentsu-owned animé series Maple Story and Deltora Quest. She said that the agency was currently exploring opportunities for co-production of entertainment content with local and regional broadcasters.

Teo also noted that the establishment of an intellectual property content management arm was part of an initiative to transform Dentsu into a ‘one-stop media solution provider’ and to expand the network’s presence in Asia.

Teo will report to Dentsu Media’s regional director of media services, Akiro Suzuki.

My Views:

Given that Dentsu have ask a senior Animax person to head the new division, does it mean that Dentsu is going to be heading more into the Local and regional Anime market. Challenging Odex as the main licensee and distributor of Animes in the region?

We can also look forward to more local or SEA animation and production being made with Dentsu’s support.

Also to note, Dentsu is still a 20% owner of Geneon or whatever they call it in the future… So they might use this to their advantage…

Lastly will this mean that more companies are going to be expanding down to Singapore and distributing their ware on own or forming an alliances.

PS: This is my 2 cents of thought and is guess some educated guess… It might happen, it might not. I’m just guessing/predicting… Looks like 2009 is really going to be  good year for Animation/Anime!

Btw, did you know that Bandai have also setup their own branch here? Although they are doing non distribution work… but it’s good to know that they are here…