Meet Mr Nice

TALKING SHOP: Patrick Svensk, executive VP of content at Modern Times Group and chairman of its newly created Nice Entertainment Group, discusses the latest wave of M&A activity in Scandinavia – in which the firm has been a key player.

C21's Talking Shop is a daily strand on C21Media.net that goes behind the news to talk to leading players in the international content business.

Svensk took up his current role in March this year following the rebrand of MTG Studios in the wake of last year’s acquisition of Helsinki-based Nice Entertainment, plus earlier buy-outs of UK distributor DRG and Norwegian producer Novemberfilm.

He discusses the integration of these businesses into a group that now comprises 28 companies spanning 16 countries and whether further consolidation is still to come – including the prospect of mega-mergers.

“I would be surprised if we make any major acquisition for a while now. We’d rather nurture what we have and develop it,” says Svensk, adding that for those who have not yet entered Scandinavia “please don’t, there is nothing left to snap up.”

Svensk continues, however, “maybe it’s good if we could see some consolidation on a higher level of these groups that are present in the market.”