cdv Software Entertainment AG and m4e AG agree strategic collaboration for the licensing of interactive rights
Bruchsal / Grünwald near Munich, 22 August 2007 - As part of a cooperative agreement, cdv Software Entertainment AG - the full service provider for computer and console games - and merchandising company m4e AG have agreed a strategic collaboration in the field of brand licensing for games.
This cooperative deal sees cdv Software Entertainment AG extending its portfolio of services to encompass targeted "brand & character search" for the games sector. It means that, in addition to the general marketing of games as previously offered, games developers and publishers can now also benefit from a service that brokers and procures appropriate licensing rights, thus allowing for the selective branding of games. The targeted search for suitable brands together with their licensing and subsequent marketing are core competences of m4e AG. Beyond the classic buying and selling of licences, cdv and m4e offer developers and publishers a wide range of advertising and cooperative options in the field of TV-supported games promotion.
"Even now, many well-known brands in the computer and console games area have not yet been assigned. With cdv we are tapping into the games growth market through a long-established partner in the sector," says Hans Ulrich Stoef, m4e Chairman of the Board.
Systematic expansion of the range of services from cdv
Philipp Stiehl, Member of the Board of cdv Software Entertainment AG, had this to say of the strategic collaborative venture: "As a full service provider in the games sector, we have observed a growing demand for well-known brands. m4e, with its years of experience and excellent relations with many well-known rights holders, is just the right partner for us. This service on behalf of our customers, which we call 'CDV licence', is an excellent way to round off our range of services. It allows us to offer our services at an early game development stage and thus to be able to look after our customers over the entire development period and the whole life cycle of a game."
About cdv Software Entertainment AG:
cdv Software Entertainment AG is the only listed, independent full service provider for the games sector in the whole of Germany. With its subsidiaries cdv POS GmbH, Gamesmania and SeVenM and CDV USA, Inc., cdv has a staff of around 55 and enjoys the best possible channel contacts in all the relevant markets, as well as specialist expertise developed over decades. As the leading distribution and service partner for the entire games and software sector, cdv occupies an excellent position in the global market with several subsidiaries in the German-speaking countries, the USA, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, as well as big-name international partners. Beyond high-performance product placement and international distribution logistics, cdv offers its customers a broad range of sales-promoting measures as well as a comprehensive, professional marketing and promotion service from a one-stop shop. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Bruchsal, the company has since its consolidation in 2007 been on a stable growth path with a medium-term target of occupying a strong market position as one of the world's leading full service providers for the games sector. Further information and up-to-date press reports can be found at www.cdv.de.
About m4e AG:
m4e AG is a specialist in developing and utilising high-calibre brands and intellectual property (IP) rights. The company lives up to its motto "made for entertainment" by developing as well as establishing and expanding brand-worthy sports, entertainment and personality rights. Here m4e AG assumes the role of an interface between licensors and licensees and develops its own IP rights. Its business areas include TV production, licence trading, home entertainment, merchandising, publishing, and interactive and new media. The m4e portfolio includes the licence and merchandising rights of the Deutscher Fussball Bund (German Football Association) / German national football team, Alliance Atlantis (Dragon Booster, Lunar Jim), Marvel Entertainment (Spider-Man III, Spider-Man Classic, Ghost Rider, Fantastic Four, Marvel Heroes etc. etc.), Rainbow S.p.a. (Monster Allergy, Winx Club), Batrax Entertainment / Nerd Corp. (Storm Hawks), Big Bocca (Huntik), and many more besides.