By : Erik Gruenwedel | Posted: 18 Nov 2008
egruenwedel@questex.com

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Nov. 18 said it launched a new business unit aimed at procuring foreign content properties for global DVD and electronic distribution.

Tony Ishizuka, who will be responsible for identifying projects for financing and distribution, heads the International Product Expansion Group (IPEG) as newly appointed VP.

In addition, Maxwell Mattord was named director of IPEG, which as a group reports to T. Paul Miller, SVP, international at Sony Pictures in Culver City, Calif.

Specifically IPEG will leverage Sony Pictures’ global resources and connections with foreign entertainment producers to help increase the company’s sales and market share in territories outside North America.

Initial acquisitions include four anime series featuring Marvel Comics characters. The series are slated to be broadcast on Japan’s Animax TV network, in addition to worldwide distribution through Sony.

“The goal is to see each local project recoup its investment in each country in which it was produced or acquired,” Miller said.
 

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