Condor in search of new prey
The film production company Condor Films is shaking up the film industry and could also give RingierTV a wake-up call.
The recent takeover of Bern-based film producer FaroTV by Condor Films shows that consolidation is also underway in this industry. This is likely to intensify. Condor is spreading its wings and is on the lookout for further prey. "We are in talks with two to three other locations, so it could be that one or two more will be added by the end of the year," says Thomas Sterchi, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Condor Films. The aim is to "maintain a critical size" in Switzerland and also gain a foothold abroad.Condor Films is one of the oldest in the industry. The company was founded in 1947 by the Fueter family of filmmakers. Tamedia acquired a stake in the company in 1994 and today holds 70 percent. However, the founding family always remained involved and present on the Board of Directors, even when Tamedia sold its majority shareholding to Sterchi and Kristian Widmer, the Chairman of the Executive Board, on January 1, 2005. Today, Condor Films is active in the areas of commercials, feature films, corporate communications and documentaries.
Turnover in 2005 totaled CHF 13 million, with spot production alone generating CHF 10 million. "We are probably the Swiss market leader in the areas of commercials and corporate," says Sterchi. Depending on the area, however, Condor Films has to compete with big names such as RingierTV, the SRG subsidiary Tpc or B&B Endemol - to name but a few. One of Condor's biggest successes was the 1991 Academy Awards for the film "Journey of Hope" by Xavier Koller, which was produced by the company.
With FaroTV, Condor not only increases its turnover by 30%, the company also gains a foothold in the TV format sector. The Bern-based company is currently successful in this area with "Celebrations" and "Joya rennt". "FaroTV complements us perfectly, it's the perfect match for us," says Sterchi happily. Thanks to FaroTV, Condor can also set foot abroad for the first time. A year ago, the small company entered into a 30:70 joint venture with RingierTV called Zana Media, through which both companies contribute their formats to Sparks Network, an international format hub. FaroTV currently offers "Celebrations" and "Joya rennt" there, while RingierTV is present with "Gesundheit-Sprechstunde" and "Al Dente".
RingierTV not pleasedIt will be interesting to see how this partnership develops. There have not yet been any direct talks between RingierTV and Condor, and in an initial reaction RingierTV was "not very happy" about the new situation (WW 15/06). Possibly with good reason: FaroTV is probably at a disadvantage with Zana Media, as "Joya rennt" is more successful internationally than RingierTV with its offer. However, as the majority shareholder of Zana Media, RingierTV is the primary beneficiary. So did the FaroTV owners want to free themselves from Ringier's grip with the sale to Condor? And is Condor now insisting on a 50:50 joint venture with Zana Media?
"Your interpretation could make sense, but it's wrong," says Mathias Ruch, one of the founders of FaroTV. Although "Joya rennt" has "certainly served as a door opener in some situations", the partnership at Zana Media is "very satisfying" and both sides benefit. The composition of the shareholder base "is satisfactory for us", he says.
No fear of contactThings sound a little different at Condor. "It's possible that FaroTV is missing out on something with Zana Media," says Thomas Sterchi. In any case, he is "not quite sure yet whether Zana Media is really a win-win situation". In any case, he is going into the upcoming talks with RingierTV "without fear of contact, but also without a fixed opinion".
"Exclusive" talks Has Condor RingierTV
snatched the partner from under your nose? The surprised reaction at RingierTV gives this impression. RingierTV Managing Director Marc Görtz, however, denies having any interest in FaroTV: "We would probably be too differently oriented for that," he says. FaroTV co-founder Mathias Ruch, on the other hand, leaves open whether takeover talks have also taken place with RingierTV. "I won't comment on that," he says. Thomas Sterchi from Condor is of a different opinion: he considers earlier talks between RingierTV and FaroTV to be possible, but emphasizes that the negotiations between Condor and FaroTV were conducted "exclusively". Markus Knöpfli
The picture shows Thomas Sterchi, Chairman of the Board at Condor Films
Turnover in 2005 totaled CHF 13 million, with spot production alone generating CHF 10 million. "We are probably the Swiss market leader in the areas of commercials and corporate," says Sterchi. Depending on the area, however, Condor Films has to compete with big names such as RingierTV, the SRG subsidiary Tpc or B&B Endemol - to name but a few. One of Condor's biggest successes was the 1991 Academy Awards for the film "Journey of Hope" by Xavier Koller, which was produced by the company.
With FaroTV, Condor not only increases its turnover by 30%, the company also gains a foothold in the TV format sector. The Bern-based company is currently successful in this area with "Celebrations" and "Joya rennt". "FaroTV complements us perfectly, it's the perfect match for us," says Sterchi happily. Thanks to FaroTV, Condor can also set foot abroad for the first time. A year ago, the small company entered into a 30:70 joint venture with RingierTV called Zana Media, through which both companies contribute their formats to Sparks Network, an international format hub. FaroTV currently offers "Celebrations" and "Joya rennt" there, while RingierTV is present with "Gesundheit-Sprechstunde" and "Al Dente".
RingierTV not pleasedIt will be interesting to see how this partnership develops. There have not yet been any direct talks between RingierTV and Condor, and in an initial reaction RingierTV was "not very happy" about the new situation (WW 15/06). Possibly with good reason: FaroTV is probably at a disadvantage with Zana Media, as "Joya rennt" is more successful internationally than RingierTV with its offer. However, as the majority shareholder of Zana Media, RingierTV is the primary beneficiary. So did the FaroTV owners want to free themselves from Ringier's grip with the sale to Condor? And is Condor now insisting on a 50:50 joint venture with Zana Media?
"Your interpretation could make sense, but it's wrong," says Mathias Ruch, one of the founders of FaroTV. Although "Joya rennt" has "certainly served as a door opener in some situations", the partnership at Zana Media is "very satisfying" and both sides benefit. The composition of the shareholder base "is satisfactory for us", he says.
No fear of contactThings sound a little different at Condor. "It's possible that FaroTV is missing out on something with Zana Media," says Thomas Sterchi. In any case, he is "not quite sure yet whether Zana Media is really a win-win situation". In any case, he is going into the upcoming talks with RingierTV "without fear of contact, but also without a fixed opinion".
"Exclusive" talks Has Condor RingierTV
snatched the partner from under your nose? The surprised reaction at RingierTV gives this impression. RingierTV Managing Director Marc Görtz, however, denies having any interest in FaroTV: "We would probably be too differently oriented for that," he says. FaroTV co-founder Mathias Ruch, on the other hand, leaves open whether takeover talks have also taken place with RingierTV. "I won't comment on that," he says. Thomas Sterchi from Condor is of a different opinion: he considers earlier talks between RingierTV and FaroTV to be possible, but emphasizes that the negotiations between Condor and FaroTV were conducted "exclusively". Markus Knöpfli
The picture shows Thomas Sterchi, Chairman of the Board at Condor Films
