Gladiators

NAME: Gladiators

ORIGIN: Based on an original story by Elena Bucaccio and Alessandro Sermoneta, inspired by the history of the Roman Empire.

DISTRIBUTOR: Worldwide distribution is handled by Mondo TV in Italy.

CREATORS: Orlando Corradi (Mondo TV) and Marco Marcolini (The Animation Band)

 TV SHOW: There are 26 26-minute episodes available, plus two one-hour movies. The series, produced in 2-D animation with CG effects, targets kids 8 to 14.

TRAILER: Click here to watch a clip of the show in WorldScreenings.com

DESCRIPTION: The story takes place during the era of the Roman Empire and the final years of wise Hadrian’s reign. It is a dangerous time for Rome: the Emperor is old and ill and about ten ambitious men anxiously wait for his death in order to assume power. The Emperor’s only hope is his grandson Marcus, who has been educated by the best teachers for the difficult task that lies ahead of him…

This series won the Pulcinella Award at Cartoons on the Bay 2008. It also won the Apollo d’Oro at Salerno Film Festival 2008.

DIRECTOR: Maurizio Forestieri

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: The series is a co-production of Rai Fiction and Mondo TV.

MAIN BROADCASTER: Rai Due in Italy, which launches the series in October or November of this year.

TV SALES: Mondo TV has licensed the show into Russia and CIS, former Yugoslavia and Cyprus and is in negotiations with Turkey, Spain and the Middle East.

MAJOR TOY LICENSEES: Mondo TV is currently seeking a toy partner for the show.

STRATEGY FOR ROLLOUT: The Gladiators brand fits into two overall strategies for Mondo TV this year, according to Micheline Azoury, who coordinates the company’s sales team. "The first is to invest more in great new potential brands and properties, backed up by merchandising, as we are currently doing in our new production Angel’s Friends, to be aired for the first time this September on Mediaset in Italy."

The second main strategy is reinforcing the international sales department, Azoury notes. The rollout of Gladiators and other Mondo TV properties will be handled by the sales team in Italy as well as by representatives in certain key markets. "In Australia and New Zealand, we are working through our agent Juicy Media, and we are evaluating appointing a sales manager for India and Scandinavia."

Mondo TV is also placing an increased emphasis on attending television markets in priority emerging markets like Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The company was on hand at DISCOP Africa in February and will be attending the next edition of the event in Nairobi in September. Mondo TV is also frequently present at public television festivals in the Middle East, Azoury says.

Expanding the reach of Gladiators and other properties, Azoury and the sales team at Mondo TV will initially have their eye on slots in France, Germany, the U.K., Spain, Scandinavia and Benelux, among other European markets. Next up will be pan-regional channels in the Middle East, followed by scoring a presence in the Asia Pacific.