Turkish prodcos launch sales firm

Ates Ince

A new Turkish distribution company has been launched, offering an array of programming from two of the country’s most successful producers, which have been behind global hits such as Ezel.

Medyapim Ay Yapim Drama Distribution Entertainment (Madd) will offer shows from Turkish producers Medyapim and Ay Yapim, and is being led by MD Ates Ince and Ozlem Özsümbül, director of international sales.

Ince has been in the TV business for more than two decades and was previously chief revenue officer at Turkey’s Doğus Media Group and founder of Doğuş Digital, the parent company of broadcaster Star TV.

Ozlem Ozsumbul

Özsümbül, meanwhile, was most recently head of acquisitions and film investments for Turkish broadcaster Kanal D, its network TV2 and D Productions, the production house of the group.

Medyapim, founded in 1993, has been behind shows including Mother (aka Anne), based on the Japanese format, while Ay Yapim was launched in 2005 and has produced global hits such as Fatmagul, Ezel and Forbidden Love.

Madd said it would be looking to expand the reach of Turkish drama while also investing in international productions and exploring coproduction opportunities.

The launch of the distribution company could see a considerable shift for the Turkish market, with third-parties previously selling much of the combined 400-hour annual output from Medyapim and Ay Yapim.

Scandinavian distributor Eccho Rights, for example, has previously sold rights to shows such as Ezel, only last week securing a format deal for the show with Romania’s ProTV. Inter Medya and Kanal D International also sell some Ay Yapim series.