Mipcom: FremantleMedia Partners with Argentina’s Kapow on Production, Distribution Deal
London-based FremantleMedia and Argentina’s Kapow have announced an expanded joint venture. The partnership represents a step forward for the two companies who previously worked together on “Cocineros Mexicanos,” produced for Mexico’s TV Azteca.
Under the terms of the deal, Kapow has secured exclusive production rights to FremantleMedia formats and will represent Fremantle’s complete catalog of entertainment formats in Argentina going forward.
Alternatively, Fremantle will now be the exclusive representative for all Kapow-created content outside of Argentina, starting with the company’s popular cooking show “Cocineros.”
Kapow will liase with FremantleMedia CEO of emerging markets, Sangeeta Desai, and work closely Coty Cagliolo, a native Argentinian who was promoted to managing director at FremantleMedia Mexico in July of this year.
Fremantle has originated, produced or distributed many of the worlds biggest series in recent years including Starz’ “American Gods,” HBO’s “The Young Pope,” and SundanceTV’s “Deutschland 83.”
Under the guidance of founders Agustín Sacanell and Lucas Rainelli, Kapow have developed a large litany of shows for multiple networks and platforms such as “Stockholm,” the first Argentinian series created for Netflix, sports magazine-show “Concentrados en la Red,” and the unscripted “Help! Necesito Un Favor,” a hit with young-adults and kids for Telefe in Argentina and Armoza in Israel, where people are tasked with approaching strangers on the street and asking for usually outrageous favors. The company also has formats in Chile, Mexico and Peru, although this deal is limited to Argentina.
“We have been looking for an entry point into the Argentinian market for a while in order to strengthen our position in this important Latin American market,” Fremantle’s Desai in a statement.
Desai added: “We believe Kapow are the right partner for us because they are highly creative and entrepreneurial, and we were impressed by Agustín and Lucas and their achievements with Cocineros and other formats.”
The sentiment was echoed by Cagliolo: “As a native Argentinian myself, I am very excited that Agustín and Lucas are helping us to access this important market.
At this year’s Conecta Fiction, Kapow’s Sacanell discussed at a panel presentation what Argentina has to offer the international market as a co-producer: “We have talent, and technical skills that sister industries have left us. We have a good technical capacity formed by the advertising industry and we have great writers, locations and actors.”
Now Kapow has international distribution, and a myriad of domestic repurposing possibilities.
For Kapow director Rainelli, “it is a great honor to establish such a close partnership with Fremantle. It’s one of the most successful creators and producers in the world. We look forward to working closely and strategically with Mexico and London.”
Related stories
Mipcom: Sweden's FLX Set to Produce Financial Thriller Series 'Blinded' (EXCLUSIVE)
Mipcom: ZDF Renews 'Find Me in Paris' for Second Season (EXCLUSIVE)
Mipcom: 'Las Vegas, Mendoza,' 'File 13,' 'Everything I Like,' at Snack & Screen from Argentina
Subscribe to Variety Newsletters and Email Alerts!
