CONTENT
PRODUCTION &
GLOBAL SALES

JAN FROUMAN, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE RED ARROW ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

14 creative and production companies in nine countries, the sales subsidiary Red Arrow International and numerous strategic partnerships: That is the Red Arrow Entertainment Group. Jan Frouman (42) manages the company that is one of the top 10 independent TV production companies in the world. Frouman summarizes what is needed for this success in simple terms: “A clear strategy, a bit of patience — and a little luck.”

How has Red Arrow Entertainment become a global player within four years?

JAN FROUMAN: We have built up 14 holdings in nine countries since 2010. Within our network, we bring together companies that really fit in with us — and that want to gain a real advantage from the close cooperation under our roof. If it makes sense, we found or purchase companies. But we also enter into strategic partnerships, for example with the Israeli digital and app developer Screenz. Now we have their products in our catalog and Screenz has an international sales company. It’s working great!

Which titles are you particularly proud of?

JAN FROUMAN: The first that comes to my mind is “The Taste”. We have sold the original show from the USA to more than 80 countries. A local adaptation is being produced in over 25 countries. This is a huge success! But we are also very happy with the new US series from our subsidiary Fabrik Entertainment: “Bosch” — based on the hit crime novels by Michael Connelly, which have 65 million readers around the world. Amazon acquired the pilot. It is available online, where customers can rate it. The feedback is excellent and there is a good chance that we will soon produce a whole season for Amazon.

So high-quality productions are being commissioned by online portals more and more often …

JAN FROUMAN: Exactly, Netflix was just the start — we have been represented there since 2012 with the hit series “Lilyhammer”, which we are selling worldwide and whose third season is being produced in 2014. We are delighted with this trend: The bigger the group of potential customers gets, the better.

Why is presence in the English-speaking markets in particular so important?

JAN FROUMAN: It’s simple: Formats that are successful there get at least twice as much attention internationally. Anything that works in the USA or Great Britain is considered established. Therefore, we strengthened our presence there in recent years by making acquisitions and are now represented with four holdings. We are now in such a good position that we do not miss any global trend — and regularly set them ourselves.

What highlights will you realize in 2014 — can you tell us anything already?

JAN FROUMAN: There is a lot to look forward to — for example the production of English-speaking fiction formats. “100 Code” is a cooperation with Sky Deutschland. A great series set in Sweden with a cast including Dominic Monaghan — known from “The Lord of the Rings” and “Lost”. And we are producing a TV film for Britain’s BBC with the A-list stars Judi Dench and Dustin Hoffman.