Sparks Adds New Network Members

STOCKHOLM, March 26:
Sparks Network has added three new companies to its roster in Asia—Lemon
Production, NEXTEP and Vietnam Media Corp.—bringing the total number of
Sparks members to 20 worldwide.

Lemon Production, based in
Jakarta, was founded by Hasani Abdulgani, Reinhard R. Tawas and the Indonesian
TV personality Helmy Yahya. The company has produced more than 100 programs to
date, including a list of quiz and reality shows. NEXTEP, a Japanese-based
production outfit, is credited with the titles Iron Chef and Hey! Spring of Trivia. Founded in 1996, Vietnam Media Corp. is an
independent producer and a distribution company. The company has acquired and
produced The Price is Right and
Ugly Betty for Vietnam.

Axel Niklasson, the
managing director of Sparks Network Asia, commented: “We are very excited about
the expansion in Southeast and Northeast Asia, the region is already very
dynamic and has great further potential for formats and international
co-productions. We have been very thorough in our research and selection of new
members and these are definitely the strongest producers in their respective
country. This gives Sparks Network a very solid platform for future business.”

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski