Asacha Media Group: The fastest growing pan-European company to meet global content demand

With an aggressive M&A strategy, Asacha Media Group launched in 2020 by founding partners and Co-CEOs, Gaspard de Chavagnac and Marina Williams as well as Marc-Antoine d’Halluin, co-founder and VC Supervisory board. To date, the pan-European group has acquired companies in the UK (Wag Entertainment and Red Planet Picture), in France (Kabo Family, Mintee Studio, and Srab Films) and in Italy (Pico Media and Stand by Me). "Our objective is to expand our footprint throughout Europe and the UK, with an imminent focus on Spain and Germany,” explained Maria Ishak, Head of International Content and Co-Productions, to Señal News. "Asacha’s philosophy is that the centre and the producers have the same vision and ambition for the future of the company and work homogeneously together in achieving that goal", she asserted.

Asacha Media Group’s business is designed to be agile and responsive to changes in the marketplace, while predominantly focusing on the rising demand for non-English language content from both non-linear and traditional platforms. In addition to developing, packaging and producing scripted series and films, the business also produces, factual content, documentaries and kids’ entertainment. "We encourage our producers to talk to each other and work together, benefiting from each other’s regional tax breaks, individual artistic strengths and commissioning contacts – these internal co-productions are a key focus for us", explained Ishak.

A good example of this is “La Storia” which was presented at the last MIA Market. Produced by Picomedia with France’s Thalie Images as a co-producer– both Asacha Media Group companies, the eight-episodes series is set during the final years of World War II and its immediate aftermath in Italy, and is based on a bestselling novel by the late great Elsa Morante.

CONTENT DEMAND
Analysing the current post pandemic audiovisual landscape, Ishak asserted that it's a very volatile market. "The demand for content is always going to be there, however commissioners requirements are constantly changing, as a producer you have to adapt to these changes, follow your instinct and invest on projects you believe in.", she said. The executive also expressed that all the consolidation isn’t helping to ease this disruption. "The business is more competitive and saturated than ever before. The creative community is thriving off this energy, and developing more and more content, but you have to stand out to be noticed these days", she affirmed. “The three key elements we look for are talent, reputation and relationships. We have to identify projects that will make a mark and cut through the clutter, which is a challenge in today’s environment,” she added.

Despite being a Pan-European company, Asacha collaborates with partners across the world. "A wide range of producers from all over are starting to knock at our door, on a project per-project basis, as well as on a longer term one. Given the chaotic state of the market I suspect we'll see more of these opportunities come through,” she mentioned. Maria Ishak also highlighted that the Middle East is an interesting region and a part of Asacha’s growth strategy. “We do look beyond European borders, and have discovered fantastic talent and opportunities across the world.”

MAIN GOALS
Asacha’s main goals are to expand its footprint, collaborate with best in class writers and filmmakers and grow it’s pipeline of content and IP. “We are still in our infancy, however these next 18 months will see a growths purge in commissions, co-productions and international partnerships,” she indicated. “It’s important for us to have a mixed economy, so whilst we will always work with the regional broadcasters, and continue to produce for the BBC, France TV and Rai, we are now aiming to grow our offering to the global SVODs and are developing more and more projects that can suit their requirements.”

She also affirmed and added they are also exploring the FAST Channels. "It's not a priority, but it's definitely something that we are exploring. The FAST world is an important vertical for us and will inevitably become one of the fastest growing sectors of our industry", Ishak concluded.