Koch Media acquires French distributor SG Diffusion

Koch Media has strengthened its position in the European games market with the acquisition of French distributor SG Diffusion - a move which enables the firm to publish and distribute software in six territories throughout Europe.

Koch currently has offices and distribution partnerships in Germany, UK, Italy, Austria and Switzerland, and the new acquisition for French speaking territories forms part of the company's ambitions for continued growth across Europe.

Klemens Kundratitz, CEO of Koch Media, said: "Our growth over the last four years in the interactive arena has been significant and the establishment of an experienced French office was of utmost strategic importance."

"More significantly, Koch can now provide local expertise in the most powerful European territories, a skill that even some of the other top players are unable to offer," he added.

SG Diffusion's president Christian Brecheteau and managing director Pierre Ortolan hold over 30 years' experience in the industry, having previously held numerous executive positions at companies including Acclaim, Interplay, Codemasters and SEGA. The company has been providing distribution and marketing support for French speaking territories since 2002 on titles including NCSoft's number one PC title, Guild Wars.

Christian Brecheteau, CEO of the new French subsidiary, stated: "Joining a European size group sharing the same objectives and values will open new development opportunities and will allow us to reinforce our position on the French speaking territories markets."

KOCH Media, founded in 1994, develops, publishes and distributes PC and console videogames throughout Europe. The company develops and publishes its own titles under the Deep Silver Brand, in addition to providing exclusive European distribution services for PC software and videogames publishers.