Pact US, GOVA prep ‘mini-market’

Indie trade body Pact US and multi-platform video network group Global Online Video Association (GOVA) are preparing to stage a ‘mini-market’ to foster links between linear TV and digital.

David Lyle

Details of the new event are scant, although Pact US said it will take place later this year and will feature a “select” group of linear TV and digital buyers.

The new market is one of numerous “mutually beneficial new initiatives” set up by Pact US and GOVA following their partnership earlier this year, alongside digital content transactional law firm Ginsburg Daniels Kallis.

GOVA’s member companies include Jukin Media, Machinima, Maker Studios, New Form Digital, MiTu and Whistle Sports.

Pact US and GOVA recently assembled 18 CEOs, chief digital officers and other leaders from across traditional and digital industries to discuss plans for the future. Topics included branded content, emerging distribution platforms, alternative financing and rights retention, according to Pact US.

In addition to the new market, the trio have agreed to form closer relationships between local production communities, Google Creative Labs and Facebook Creative Shop.

They also want to establish greater communication channels between GOVA member companies, explore emerging international licensing opportunities and improve understanding of evolving digital monetisation rules and regulations, Pact US said.

“Our primary goals in this area are to improve communication and pursue tax credits and other critical areas of mutual concern, which can only be accomplished collectively through an association like ours,” said Pact US president David Lyle.

Jon Taylor, exec director of GOVA, added: “As the lines continue to blur between the linear programming and digital content worlds, our aim is to strengthen the overall production community by promoting growth and profitability, and this is a great first step.”

Pact US is an offshoot of UK indie trade body Pact and was launched in 2015.