Ascent Media Group (AMG) UK managing director Brenda Smith has set out a blueprint for the group's expansion in 2005 that includes plans for an attack on business in mainland Europe.
Ascent Media Group (AMG) UK managing director Brenda Smith has set out a blueprint for the group's expansion in 2005 that includes plans for an attack on business in mainland Europe.

Smith told Broadcast that she has spotted several opportunities in Europe for all parts of the facilities group, including both transmission and post-production services, that will see AMG either buy up companies, invest in local business or form partnerships.

With the financial muscle of AMG this could point to a spending spree like the one seen in London over the last four years, in which facilities were snapped up at a cost of more than £100m.

Eastern Europe appears to be a major target and AMG is in varying states of negotiation.

Smith said: 'The expansion may come in terms of investment, acquisition or partnership. It will probably be different in different parts of the business.'

The European plan will be the focus of the AMG business for now as Smith has decided to wait until after the BBC's Charter is renewed before committing to further UK expansion. If the BBC production departments are moved to Manchester, AMG may follow. Smith said she believed that media management services in particular will play an important role in the future, providing for an increased demand for digital asset management, restoration and electronic delivery as the BBC commits to tapeless production by 2010.

Smith also said that this year's £1.5m investment in digital intermediary technology for the feature film market would be matched with a similar level of funding in 2005, building on AMG's post-production credit for this year's King Arthur.

Meanwhile, Smith has also restructured Ascent's sales and marketing division. Media management services managing director Paul Kind and Stream managing director Claire Booth will take joint managerial responsibility for media management services UK.

David Barrett has been named group sales and marketing director for Ascent Media UK and Europe and will co-ordinate sales and marketing across the group. Matt Bowman has been appointed sales director UK and Europe, Sally Hart-Ives director of marketing and client support and Emma Eastman operations director UK. No job losses were involved in the restructuring.

Topics