Discop eyes expansion after deal

DISCOP: The founding manager of events company Basic Lead expects to double the number of delegates attending its Discop markets in Johannesburg and Istanbul following new investment.

Globus Fairs and Congress, a trade show organiser based in Turkey, will co-own Discop Istanbul, whilst a group of South African investors with events experience have taken a stake in Discop Africa.

The markets’ founder Patrick Jucaud-Zuchowicki told C21 here at Discop Istanbul, which opened its doors yesterday, that the deal would allow the markets to expand rapidly.

“Between Africa and Istanbul we have 3,800 delegates, and our goal is to double that figure,” he said, describing the two countries as “centres of gravity” for TV content.

Turkey has become a key exporter of dramas and formats to the global TV market, and plans to export US$1 billion worth of television content in the next decade.

Both investments, which will see the companies take 50% stakes in the two trade fairs, were described as “significant strategic alliances” and are also intended to help develop closer ties with execs involved in the regions.

Discop claims that in excess of 2,000 international companies will take part in its two markets in 2014.