Welsh companies offered Cannes opportunity

MIPTV and MILIA 2005 in Cannes (April 11-15) are important markets for television, audiovisual and interactive decision-makers, and, two months before the events begin, WalesTrade International have begun recruiting Welsh companies who wish to develop their international customer base.
In 2004, the WalesTrade International Pavillion attracted 15 Welsh companies and organisations, including the Welsh Development Agency and Teledwyr Annibynnol Cymru (TAC).
Andrew Jones from WalesTrade International said: “MIPTV 2005 is the world’s premier audiovisual market and it is important that Welsh companies have a high profile presence at this event. For this reason WalesTrade International are hosting a Trade Pavillion for the third year running. By providing financial and practical support coupled with an impressive Welsh stand, WalesTrade International hope to enable Welsh companies to maximise the potential opportunities this important event has to offer.”
Five companies have already signed up for the WalesTrade International Pavillion at MIPTV 2005; Barcud Derwen, Green Bay Media, Opus TV, Artsmagic and Nick Sanders Film.
Bryn Roberts, Managing Director of Barcud Derwen, said: “Barcud Derwen has invested in several projects during the year for several broadcasters and these programmes will be for sale in Cannes. MIP also offers us the chance to find gap-funding or pre-sales for other projects being co-developed by us with producers from Wales and beyond.”
Green Bay’s Creative Director, John Geraint, added: “Green Bay will have a strong presence at MIPTV. The recent venture capital investment in Green Bay has given us the capacity to build our development portfolio and we’ll be taking a range of international projects to Cannes. Green Bay was recently named by the Welsh Assembly Government’s Economic Development and Transport Minister Andrew Davies as crucial to the expansion of the Welsh production sector, and MIPTV is a key market for us to begin realising that growth.”
To ensure that Welsh companies gain the maximum benefits from taking part in this global marketplace, WalesTrade International are offering companies a financial contribution towards the registration costs, travel and accommodation. In addition to this, the WalesTrade International Pavillion is in a prime location and will be permanently staffed by representatives of the WalesTrade International team and Sgrin Cymru Wales. The stand will also provide a meeting room with audiovisual facilities for the use of participating Welsh companies, and on Tuesday April 12, WalesTrade International are hosting a Welsh Reception from 6:30pm on board the French Riviera for Welsh companies and their invited guests.
Berwyn Rowlands, Chief Executive, Sgrin Cymru Wales, said: “The idea that Welsh media companies are not relevant to the international market place is clearly an outdated vision of the sector. The number of companies and more importantly the growing number of projects presented at MIPTV this year is yet another indication of the Welsh media sectors ability to adapt to a constantly changing global market.”
For further information email Lynsey Taylor or call +44 (0) 2920 444 730.
(GB)