MUMBAI: The Alternative Investment Market (AIM) has been attracting a lot of Indian companies lately.

After the likes of TV18 Group’s The Indian Film Company and UTV Software Communications’ UTV Motion Pictures announcing plans of listing on the AIM, 3D animation film outsourcing company Compact Disc India is planning to list its newly incorporated company MediaOne Ventures Limited at the AIM.

As is already reported by Businessofcinema.com, the company plans to raise $ 50 million. The overseas listing will facilitate in raising the amount.

MediaOne Ventures Ltd. has been launched with an initial investment of £ 1 million to exclusively cater to the international film production division of CDI.

The new company is largely structured to produce live action and animation films for international audience that are either wholly or jointly produced with Hollywood production houses. Through MediaOne Ventures Ltd., CDI plans to make four international film projects every year either fully owned or co-productions with leading Hollywood film production companies.

Furthermore, the launch of MediaOne Ventures will also mark the foray of CDI into the business of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). After having secured the IPR for animation content, the company can cash in on the collaterals accrued by way of merchandise, as animation has a universal appeal and its merchandise is popular among all age groups. Moreover, in the West, the revenues generated through animation IPR are phenomenal, a case in point being the Ice Age sequels.

CDI chairman Suresh Kumar said, “Since inception, CDI has enjoyed phenomenal growth and we have a proven track record of organic expansion. We are now at a point in our history where the business is of sufficient scale to exploit the significant opportunities presented to us by the growing Indian entertainment sector globally. As a quoted company we will have the increased financial strength, visibility and currency to help us achieve our objectives.”

“It is our intent to position CDI as an international film maker and an overseas listing will facilitate joint ventures, acquisitions, alliances in major international markets with global film companies. With our close association with media majors like Canyon Films, Pantheon Entertainment Corp., Hyde Park Films and Working Titles Films we will be uniquely positioned in the global film market,” he added.

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