NATPE Expands, Acquires DISCOP East

NATPE has acquired Budapest-based content market DISCOP East as part of the association’s plans to expand its international presence. Following the 2011 edition of the market, which takes place June 21-23, the event will become NATPE/Budapest in June of 2012.

Taking over full organizational and managerial responsibilities, NATPE will run the June event as a companion to its Miami-based international content market, which takes place in January. To further streamline its service to the international market, NATPE said it will create incentives to benefit exhibitors participating in both events.

NATPE said it will continue to partner with DISCOP organizers Basic Lead on regional events DISCOP Africa (Sept. 7-9) and DISCOP Istanbul (Feb. 28-March 1, 2012).  Patrick Jucaud, general manager of Basic Lead, will continue to oversee operational activities in these events and remains vested in DISCOP East, continuing to work with NATPE as the market transfers in 2012.

“We are very pleased to take this next step in the evolution of our relationship”, Rick Feldman, president-CEO, NATPE said. “The acquisition offers many positives for NATPE and our clients, driven both by our strategy to enhance the value of NATPE in financial terms and our ability to serve our clients in growing international markets.”

He continued, “The organization of two major global content markets in January and June will allow us to have a more consistent relationship with our clients throughout the year. We will continue to develop our partnership with Patrick in Africa, the broader Middle East and Central Asia and will benefit from his guidance as DISCOP East is transferred over to NATPE in preparation for June 2012.”

Jucaud added: “This is a significant development for our Budapest-based event, as it expands into a truly globally focused market. As emerging markets continue to grow, this new arrangement also gives us the means to expand our events in strategic regions such as Africa, the broader Middle East and Central Asia. The success of the recent inaugural edition of DISCOP Istanbul underscored the continued importance of our geographically focused market formula and we look forward to enhancing these events and maximizing opportunities in all regions.”