Markets

Basic Lead, the organizers of the DISCOP Johannesburg and DISCOP Abidjan in-person markets have morphed DISCOP Africa, their recently launched online initiative, into a human-assisted, 24/7, virtual meeting planning service.

All year-round, DISCOP Africa ‘Personal Shoppers’ will reach out to purchasing managers and coproduction influencers across Africa to promote programs displayed in their digital showroom, make recommendations, answer questions and coordinate the remote appointment organization process with right-holders.

500+ properties are already displayed and include finished content, packaged channels, adaptation rights, short formats, and projects in later stages of development. These properties are offered by major studios, global and regional distributors, and independent producers - many of the latter being from Africa.

Six months into the coronavirus crisis, the move is the result of focus group meetings uncovering important trends. The abundance of online sales events is taking a harsh toll on the workload of program buyers and sellers that depend on one-on-one meetings to grow their business. Overlapping dates, multiple time zones, and curfews still in place in many countries put a lot of pressure on the organization of distance meetings.

“If turning time-limited tradeshows into time-limited, 100% or hybrid, online events makes sense for other organizers, we came to the conclusion that the community we service needs 24/7 assistance to pursue their sourcing and promotional efforts in Africa”,  says Patrick Zuchowicki, President of DISCOP.

The support is provided at no cost to programmers and acquisition, commissioning, production, and marketing executives representing broadcasters, subscription-based services, mobile and streaming platforms, major production companies, and advertisers.

Major studios, global and regional distributors, and independent producers can access DISCOP Africa’s concierge services through an annual subscription that ranges from $750 to $1500 per company. Services to vendors include digital visibility, research assistance, database maintenance, and meeting preparation duties with clients and prospects.

Dates for the next editions of DISCOP Johannesburg and DISCOP Abidjan will be announced as soon there is more visibility on international travel and attendance limitations.