Change is in the air at French publishing, distribution licensing and sales company Dargaud as its acquisition of animation and comic-book company Dupuis is made official this week. While Darguad works to better leverage its recent expansions, it is seeing a shake-up in management and a re-examination of governance strategy.
As Dargaud Distribution managing director Guillaume Galliot makes a move to production, Justine Bannister, former head of international distribution at Dupuis, step up to oversee international distribution and acquisitions.
Darguad’s international sales force will now be comprised of sales and marketing manager Michèle Massonnat, sales exec Victoire de Mones, sales exec Alexia Lepère and servicing manager Christophe Lucas. In addition to her current role in international co-productions and French broadcaster relations, Ellipsanime VP Marie-Pierre Moulinjeune will now be handling distribution for France.
With the incorporation of the Dupuis Audiovisuel animation catalogue, Dargaud Distribution today controls one of Europe’s most valuable animation libraries. The more than 1000 hours of programming includes Asterix, Lucky Luke, Tintin, Spirou, Corto Maltese, Jacques Cousteau, The Mr Men and Babar. The acquisition follows closely on the heels of Darguad’s recent takeover of animation producer Ellipsanime, and its joint-venture with French producer Storimages.
Darguad has initiated a complete reappraisal of the rights management systems and the catalogue. "Naturally, the optimisation of all media rights for all properties in all territories will be our primary objective", notes Bannister. "Local knowledge has been the best approach for us in the past, so we shall be looking for the best potential partners in each territory to attain these goals."
With Ellipseanime and Dupuis now in house, Dargaud is looking to produce approximately 100 half hours of animation per year. A production slate will be released in the coming months.
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