Ecchomedia invests in Sparks

February 21, 2012 by Kelly Anderson

Ludo Poppe’s media group Ecchomedia is investing in Stockholm- and Hong Kong-based distributor and formats alliance Sparks Network.

As part of the deal, Ecchomedia will take control of Sparks, which will become a sister company to Ecchomedia’s Eccholine and Ecchoremakes. The deal allows Sparks Networks to grow its format distribution business on a larger scale and will see the development of a new scripted television arm.

Founded in 2004 by Nicola Söderlund and Fredrik af Malmborg, Sparks Networks is a global distributor of television formats and series, and also boasts a network of 24 production company members worldwide.

Söderlund said of the deal: “Ludo and his former company Kanakna was one of the most successful members of our network with an excellent nose for hits. He knows Sparks and its philosophy very well. He is the right partner to help us become the place to be for independent non-scripted and scripted hit formats.”

Poppe added: “In a world where ideas travel at the speed of the Internet, the network model is the future of the international IP business. Sparks as an idea was ahead of its time. We promise the independent creators of hit formats that we will take better care of them and we promise the market that we will bring them mature and strong hit formats from around the world.”

Tags: Ecchomedia, Ludo Poppe, Sparks Network

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