Variety
13th July 2006
Arts Alliance invests in La Banque
Move allows distrib to enter French market
By Archie Thomas
LONDON — Europe's leading digital film distribution org Arts Alliance Media has invested in La Banque Audiovisuelle, owner of French video-on-demand portal Vodeo.tv.
As part of the deal, London-based AAM has the option to acquire the Parisian firm within the next 12 months. AAM will assist LBA in realizing its VOD, download-to-own and digital cinema ambitions in Gaul. LBA currently specializes in providing French-lingo docs through their Vodeo.tv VOD platform. "This gives us a strong foothold in France and broader European positioning," said Howard Kiedaisch, CEO of Arts Alliance Media. "Frederic Pie (LBA prexy) and his team have done a great job of building a unique offering of audiovisual content to the fast moving French marketplace, and we're looking forward to working with him and helping their business grow."
In 2005 Arts Alliance won the U.K. Film Council contract to install and operate the Digital Screen Network. AAM is also involved in a 10-screen trial rollout in Norway.