New Malaysian Firm Eyes Content Investment Opportunities

KUALA LUMPUR: Ideate Media, a new venture backed by Khazanah Nasional Berhad and ASTRO Overseas, has been set up in Kuala Lumpur to invest in live-action and animated content in English, initially targeting Asian-themed stories with global appeal.

Khazanah Nasional Berhad is the investment arm of the Malaysian government. Astro Overseas is a sister company to Malaysia’s leading pay-TV platform. ASTRO veteran Zainir Aminullah, most recently investment director at ASTRO Overseas and previously executive director of ASTRO Entertainment, has been tapped to lead the new venture as CEO.

Ideate plans to focus on content development and IP exploitation. It will invest in live-action or animated content from around the world, both films and TV series. Initial productions will center on mid-budget, English-language content with global distribution potential and that are Asian-themed or use Asia as a backdrop. Over the next three years, Ideate is looking to back up to 12 international projects.

Aminullah commented, "Through strategic partnerships with established production houses and distributors, we will connect the development and commercial processes and help transform creative visions into international successes."