International Profile: Argentina Offers Reminder of Basic Business Model

7 hours ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »

Habemus un megastar. Argentina got its most recognizable media icon March 13 when Jorge Mario Bergoglio was named Pope Francis, replacing soccer idol Diego Maradona as Argentina’s most famous export. Latin America is key to the Catholic Church, but it’s increasingly important to the global showbiz industry as well. In 2012, Argentina’s box office grew faster than China’s, spiking 35%. It boasts some of the world’s most aggressive movie buyers, such as Sun Distribution; and crossover talent, such as Pablo Trapero, now signed up to direct an English-language film for Working Title. More than anything else, however, Argentina offers a reminder of a basic business model. If Hollywood — or any other player elsewhere — wants to increase market penetration, that success will come most easily by collaboration with local players and talent. In Argentina, Disney is showing the way.

(Pictured Above: Bridge in Puerto Madero.)

Biz Opportunities

Creatively, it’s a gold mine. »

- John Hopewell

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