#WorkplaceChatis a series of bite-sized interviews with SPI International executives about their jobs, media industry trends, and their professional, SPI-related success stories.
Here's Jeroen Bergman, GM Film1 and FilmBox Netherlands.
1) The latest Film1 campaign positioned Film1 as the antidote to the precious time that many Dutch viewers waste by scrolling through the content on streaming services and the stress induced by that overall process. The campaign drew inspiration from research conducted by Telecompaper and was developed by the creative agency Superheroes. What are your key takeaways from this campaign and how do they translate to Film1's growth strategy moving forward?
Anecdotally, we all know that it can be frustrating to scroll through long menus of movie and series titles trying to figure out what is worth seeing. All the time spent searching and selecting can detract from the simple entertainment experience we look for which gets even worse if we end up watching something that then proves disappointing. It can be tempting to remember a time when we simply flipped through the channels until we saw something we liked.
We thought this would be something Dutch TV viewers would relate to and we have a simple solution to it in our Film1 proposition: we have a big line-up of SVOD movies, but we also have four curated thematic linear movie channels. So if you don't feel like 'wasting your time' scrolling through menus, you can simply zap through our four channels and see if there is anything you like. If you find it, you can easily restart that movie using the platform's replay functionality.
In order to make the Dutch audience aware of the frustration of endless scrolling and the solution of Film1's linear channels, we decided to use a combination of PR and marketing to amplify our marketing budget and to add credibility to the message. We asked a well-known media research agency to investigate how much time Dutch TV viewers spend searching for something to watch and how they experience this. Unsurprisingly, our suspicions were confirmed and we were able to get the research results publicized by many media outlets.
We then followed up with our marketing campaign which used images from the movies in Film1's line-up with campaign messages about various activities which required waiting (such as dressing up for a party, waiting for a bus etc) and saying "choosing a movie should not take as long as that".
Virtually all our sales in the Netherlands come from the TV operators carrying the service, so the key to success of our marketing activities is to energize our TV operator partners to maximize their sales efforts for Film1. We found that campaigning with this creative angle worked much better than earlier campaigns which were focused on specific movie titles as it stressed a USP that other SVOD providers are unable to match. For this reason, we will continue to use this USP going forward and will find new creative ways to communicate it in future campaigns.
2) The Film1 brand umbrella includes four linear channels - Film1 Premiere, Film1 Action, Film1 Drama and Film1 Family - and the Film1 digital service. What are your business goals in terms of Film1's digital strategy for 2022?
To be precise, our service incorporates access to movies on a linear basis - with the four thematic channels you list - and access on an SVOD basis. We provide this access via the electronic programme guides and VOD menus of our platform partners as well as with our own OTT app and, in some cases, with an app on the platform partners' set top boxes. We even include our content on some platform partners' apps.
This is an important year for our digital strategy as we migrated our app platform from the legacy provider to the new TV2Z platform that also hosts the FilmBox+ and Dizi apps. We have had some performance issues with the previous app suite and have made improvements on the new apps. We also expect with the new app to be able to include our app on the set top boxes of one of our key partners: KPN. In the longer term we would very much like to see download functionality added to the apps which would add a key functionality that competitive OTT providers offer.
3) Film1's four linear channels and a selection of on-demand content is available on Amazon Prime Video Channels in the Netherlands. What are some of the challenges and advantages of making linear channels available on digital-only platforms, such as Amazon and are there new digital partnerships for Film1 on the horizon?
The Amazon platform provides us with valuable insight into user behaviour of our subscribers on their platform and a key lesson learned is that the linear channels are responsible for a large proportion of total usage and a key retention reason for subscribers. This underlines the campaign USP we have focused on and means that we will aim to include the linear channels in any version of Film1 we offer in the market.
Film1 is available on all platforms active in the Dutch market. In the coming 12-18 months we anticipate ROKU will also launch here and we aim to once again be launching partners for this new platform.
4) The first Western European country to launch SPI's basic movie channel FilmBox is the Netherlands. In less than a year from the launch, the channel was already included in the offers of eight Dutch TV platforms, reaching 1 million viewers and counting (December, 2021). To what do you attribute this success and what are some of your future plans for the expansion of FilmBox?
Contrary to most Central European markets, there are no basic movie channels available in the Netherlands. Some were available in the past (such as AMC, MGM Channel, Universal Channel and 13th Street) but they have all given up on the market over time. The Dutch advertising market is quite crowded and the distribution market is quite concentrated so it is hard to secure sufficient advertising and distribution revenue for thematic channels. What makes FilmBox different is the synergies available from SPI existing FilmBox activities and Film1's existing content inventory. And the channel is very popular both with viewers and TV platforms as it is the only channel in the country that provides movies without advertising interruption. We will soon be launching with one of the main platforms in the country, Ziggo, and we hope to secure a distribution deal with KPN soon, as well.
5) An icebreaker question: How do you stay productive and motivated working virtually/remotely?
Virtual working has obvious disadvantages which flow from the lack of unplanned contact with colleagues, so it is important to seek out moments to get together without a fixed agenda to just see what comes up. In my team we use both Zoom sessions without pre-set agendas and we get together for lunch maybe once a month to neutralize these disadvantages.
But then, there are also real advantages. Firstly, I save a lot of time both in commuting but more importantly in the time between calls and meetings. I use that time to do more exercise than I could have afforded to before the pandemic, to be around the house when my son is more often than I could before and - this is the second key advantage - to have time to properly think through more strategic or more complex opportunities without the pressure of daily routines. That combination of a better work/life balance and the opportunity to be more creative and thorough is very motivating for me.
SPI’s streaming service FILMBOX+ which boasts a catalog of over five thousand titles and multiple linear channels was the go-to address for watching #GoodMovies this month for many viewers across the globe. Here’s a look at what’s popular in some of our key territories in May 2022.
FOOLPROOF - HUNGARY
This month, FilmBox+ subscribers in Hungary tuned into the action comedy Foolproof starring Ryan Reynolds and Kristin Booth as Kevin and Sam, founding members of a theoretical group which pulls off heists. When Leo, a gangster, blackmails them into pulling off a real multi-million dollar heist, events take a wild turn. Did you know? One of Reynolds’ earlier films, Foolproof, had a record-breaking marketing budget of $2 million. If you enjoy watching unexpected twists and Reynolds being his sardonic & witty self, you will like this movie!
THE VANISHED - TURKEY
Turkish FilmBox+ subscribers opted for a crime thriller this month, starring Anne Heche and Thomas Jane. The Vanished revolves around a husband and wife that will stop at nothing to find their missing daughter, who disappeared on a family camping trip. When the police don't catch any leads, the duo take over. Hollywood Reporter critic Justin Lowe called the movie, “wildly implausible and improbably entertaining.” Watch the movie on FilmBox+ to see if you agree!
THE CHARLEMAGNE CODE - POLAND
Polish subscribers of FilmBox+ traveled to Germany this month with the action/adventure flick The Charlemagne Code. Eik, Justus and Katharina embark on a spectacular hunt across Europe to find the biggest lost treasure in the world, a treasure which most people consider to be a myth - The treasure of the Nibelungen. The movie received four German Television Award nominations for Best Movie Made for Television, Best Actor, Best Music and Best Visual Effects in 2008.
TARGET NUMBER ONE aka MOST WANTED - ROMANIA
Crime/thriller genre was also popular in Romania this month, with one of the most watched titles being Target Number One, the based-on-a-true-story retelling of the events that unfolded when the Canadian journalist Victor Malarek (Josh Hartnett) started investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspicious arrest of Daniel Léger (Antoine Olivier Pilon), a heroin addict, imprisoned in a Thai jail in 1989. Barry Hertz of Globe and Mail describes the movie as, “a three-pronged narrative that inventively plays with structure and time, allowing the natural dramatic tension of Malarek's international chase to nicely dovetail with Léger's ugly experiences in the criminal justice system.” It is a pretty enticing review, if you ask me.
About FilmBox+
FilmBox+ combines the “lean-back” and on-demand viewing experiences by providing instant access to an extensive VOD catalog and live channels on any internet-connected device. FilmBox+’s well-curated selection of content from major global distributors features Hollywood blockbusters with world-famous stars, independent world cinema gems, TV series, documentaries, lifestyle programming, and much more. In addition to its vast VOD library, FilmBox+ also offers a variety of channels covering movies and thematic content that cater to all kinds of tastes to help viewers avoid the hassle of choosing what to watch. www.filmbox.com
Content and channel selection on FilmBox+ may vary depending on the region.
Follow FilmBox International for social media for news and updates:
In celebration of International Women’s Day, let’s take a look at some of the most beloved, globally-acclaimed Turkish series from the Dizi slate that revolve around strong, intelligent women. One thing you may not know about these series is that they are written by - you guessed it! - equally brilliant women.
Endless Love (Kara Sevda)
The screenplay of the International Emmy Award-winning global sensation Endless Love which stars Neslihan Atagül Doğulu, Burak Özçivit and Kaan Urgancıoğlu is written by veteran screenwriters Burcu Görgün Toptaş and Özlem Yılmaz. Both Görgün Toptaş and Yılmaz have previously worked on multiple other successful Turkish drama series such as “Aşkı Memnu” and “Uçurum”, respectively.
When talking about the advantages and disadvantages of writing as a team in an interview, Burcu Görgün Toptaş said,“Your biggest advantage, whether you are three or two people, is having a companion in a tiring job where such long pages are written. After all, even knowing that there is someone else looking at that blank page with you, sitting in front of the computer is very valuable, emotionally. You are not alone. A solidarity that gives both confidence and morale boost.”
Stiletto Vendetta (Ufak Tefek Cinayetler)
Stiletto Vendetta is a glamorous suburban tale of revenge that entails high stakes and high fashion where the lives of four childhood friends become intertwined, leading to a mysterious murder. The screenwriter behind this gripping series is none other than Meriç Acemi.
In an interview, Acemi is asked how she is able to create works that resonate with so many people, she responds: “Teamwork. No one can say that they alone are the miracle workers. It is necessary to be humble [about this].”
Black Money Love (Kara Para Aşk) & Karadayi
The brilliant minds behind the creation of the strong-willed, intelligent and stylish Elif Denizer (Tuba Büyüküstün) of Black Money Love are Eylem Canpolat and Sema Ergenekon, arguably, two of the most popular screenwriters of contemporary Turkish drama. The two have also penned the series Karadayi together, which features yet another brilliant female character, Judge Feride Şadoğlu, brought to life by Bergüzar Korel.
The two have a long history of working together. When asked about how they deal with disagreements while writing, they respond: “In the past, doors were slammed. I think we've matured over the years, maybe when we became mothers. Now we can say to each other, “this was a very stupid idea, accept it” No offense, no one is hurt.”
Reflecting on the importance of the day, SPI International CMO Haymi Behar emphasized the influence of the Dizi brand and Turkish series, in general, across the globe. He said: “The Dizi brand emerged as a way to reach those who enjoy watching Turkish drama series and to acquaint potential enthusiasts with the genre. One undeniable appeal of these series is that they feature well-crafted, remarkable women as lead characters to whom any viewer across the globe can relate. That is because most of them are created by women who tell their stories masterfully and in an authentic way. Turkish drama series wouldn’t have achieved the global success they now have, if it weren’t for these great stories and the incredible women behind their creation.”
SPI’s premium drama hub Dizi is proud to be the Home of Good Stories where women’s voices are heard and where their stories matter.
SPI’s streaming service FILMBOX+ which boasts a catalog of over five thousand titles and multiple linear channels was the go-to address for watching #GoodMovies this month for many viewers across the globe. Here’s a look at what’s popular in some of our key territories in February 2022.
BAILEY’S BILLIONS - SLOVAKIA
This month, FilmBox+ subscribers in Slovakia went for the heart-warming family movie that centers around a cute golden retriever. Bailey is no ordinary golden retriever. He is sweet, savvy and most importantly, he can talk! Voiced by comedic legend Jon Lovitz, Bailey becomes the target of an elaborately-designed dognap scheme when his devoted owner, Constance Pennington (Jackie Burroughs), leaves him her entire billion-dollar fortune. In order to save their beloved four-legged friend, Bailey's loyal guardian Theodore Maxwell (Dean Cain), kind-hearted animal advocate Marge Maggs (Laurie Holden), her daughter Samantha (Angela Vallee), and a clever border collie named Tessa (Melissa DiMarco) set out on a hilarious adventure.
ALİ BABA VE YEDİ CÜCELER - TURKEY
Turkish FilmBox+ subscribers opted for a local delicacy this month with the hilarious comedyAli Baba ve Yedi Cüceler (Ali Baba and the Seven Dwarfs), written and directed by Cem Yılmaz, Turkey’s most popular and well-known comedian. The movie tells the story of Ali Senay (Cem Yılmaz) and Ilber (Çetin Altay), the two partners of Senay Cüccaciye that sell garden dwarfs. When their sales start to dwindle, they decide to participate in a gardening fair in Sofia in an attempt to drum up new business. Things take an unexpected turn when they find themselves crossing paths with the wrong people hell bent on causing world chaos. The movie, which combines Yılmaz’s usual witty humor with a stellar cast of comedic geniuses, promises its viewers a good time.
LA SCONOSCIUTA - ROMANIA
Romanian subscribers of FilmBox+ traveled to Italy this month with the mystery/dramaLa Sconosciuta (The Unknown Woman). The movie revolves around Irena, a young Ukrainian woman haunted by a horrible past, who calculatedly insinuates herself into the life of a rich Italian family. Written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, the movie received rave reviews from the critics with Kevin Thomas of Los Angeles Times describing the treatment of the movie by the director as, “[Tornatore] transcends the lurid and the coincidental with range, depth and insight, and a bold, confident, suspenseful style, to create a fable of love and redemption.”
LOVE IN LAPLAND - HUNGARY
Romance filled the air in Poland this month on FilmBox+ as viewers tuned into the romantic comedy, Love in Lapland that captures the magic of love during Christmas in the winter wonderland of Lapland, Sweden. Charlotte Marton is a young bankruptcy manager who dreams of stretching both her professional and personal horizons. As December draws to a close, Charlotte’s Parisian law firm sends her to Sweden to shut down a French company that makes wood toys and has been in the red for several years. It should only take a few days; Charlotte should be back home by Christmas. In Sweden, she meets Martial, the company’s amicable CEO who’s raising his dead sister’s children as best he can and running his business like an idealist with outsized dreams. Charlotte stopped believing in true love ages ago, but she’s charmed by this big dreamer and gradually forgets about the job she went there to do as she rediscovers her lust for life… and love!
About FilmBox+
FilmBox+ combines the “lean-back” and on-demand viewing experiences by providing instant access to an extensive VOD catalog and live channels on any internet-connected device. FilmBox+’s well-curated selection of content from major global distributors features Hollywood blockbusters with world-famous stars, independent world cinema gems, TV series, documentaries, lifestyle programming, and much more. In addition to its vast VOD library, FilmBox+ also offers a variety of channels covering movies and thematic content that cater to all kinds of tastes to help viewers avoid the hassle of choosing what to watch. www.filmbox.com
Content and channel selection on FilmBox+ may vary depending on the region.
Follow FilmBox International for social media for news and updates:
