Lace Group News

LDMS signs up Indie label Arrow

2008-12-05T15:09:00-0600

Arrow Films, a leading label in the world cinema and international film DVD market will start working with LDMS from 1^st January 2009. Distribution for all Arrow Films titles will be handled by LDMS distribution partner Sony DADC. Sony DADC, the Enfield based entertainment logistics specialists, have been working closely with LDMS for the past 12 months and the relationship has proven to be a successful one.

Adam Lacey, MD of LDMS explains why he and his team are looking forward to working with Arrow Films and helping them grow further by increasing their profits in 2009.

â€œArrow Films are a very successful and well established publisher in the World Cinema, Arthouse, Horror and Classic Films markets. Their eclectic library of over 200 films contains numerous gems from the last 60 years. It is a great honour to be working with Alex and Neil Agran and have the opportunity of helping truly exploit the great catalogue and exciting new releases they represent.â€

Arrow FilmsÂ have released such theatrical hits as Cinema Paradiso,Â Les Visiteurs, Riififi, The Sorrow and the Pity and Europa Europa. Over the last 15 years the company have carefully acquired product that would fit its genre and help them to establish themselves as one of the most important distributors of World Cinema, Cult and Horror movies in the UK. In 2008, Arrow Films released 2 critically acclaimed and commercially successfulÂ films from Europe, the historical drama A Secret by Claude Miller and the 5 Star Empire-reviewed filmÂ I Served the King of England from Academy Award Winner Jiri Menzel.

With over 200 films in its burgeoning catalogue, Arrow Films continue to release 30-40 films on DVD each year and 2-3 theatrical releases.Â

Alex Agran, of Arrow Films is confident that LDMS will help increase revenue and drive their business forward.

â€œWe are thrilled to be partnering up with LDMS. They bring a dynamic, professional and progressive approach to the industry which compliments perfectly our eclectic range of product. I feel certain they will add value and growth to our business at every level of involvementâ€™.

Wienerworld Lace up new sales and distribution deal

2008-12-11T09:08:00-0600

Wienerworld, the UKâ€™s leading independent music DVD specialist, is delighted to announce a new sales and distribution deal with sales specialists Lace Digital Media Sales (LDMS) and Enfield based distributors Sony DADC.Â

The new sales and distribution arrangements replace those previously held by Wienerworld at Pinnacle Entertainment, which sadly went into administration last week.

Anthony Broza explains why LDMS and Sony DADC is the solution:

"We are delighted to have tied up a relationship with Lace so quickly and anticipate this to be an exciting partnership and a positive step forward for both companies.Â Â We are looking forward to working together with Lace's experienced sales team.â€

He continued, â€œWienerworldâ€™sÂ quickÂ response at this critical time of the year ensures that fast moving titles from the Wienerworld catalogue will be available in time for Christmas through Sony DADC.Â Â It is a measure of the amazing staff working at Wienerworld that has enabled this turnaround to be put into place so fast and I want to thank everybody throughout the whole industry for being so supportive at this very difficult timeâ€.

LDMS unique relationship with Sony DADC allows them to achieve competitive rates and outstanding turnaround times for their clients. Adam Lacey, LDMS Managing Director is delighted that Wienerworld are onboard â€œThis is a wonderful opportunity for LDMS â€“ Wienerworld have an incredible catalogue and an exciting release schedule for 2009. The quality of their releases is second to none and we are really looking forward to helping them build their brand, volume and value over the coming years.â€

LDMS secure 4Digital Media and 4Digital Asia

2008-11-18T09:08:00-0600

Lace Digital Media Sales are pleased to announce the continued expansion of their client base by signing 4Digital Media and their specialist sub label, 4Digital Asia to their sales and distribution service. The agreement will take affect from January 2009 and all distribution will be handled by LDMS sales partner Sony DADC UK.

Andy Lyon of LDMS explains why this is an exciting addition to the companyâ€™s portfolio.

â€œ4Digital Media is a well established label with a strong and diverse catalogue. LDMS has already had the privilege of working with a focused and knowledgeable team at 4Digital Asia on the fantastic Death Note series and other â€˜Asiaâ€™ Branded releases in 2008. We very much look forward to taking on board the 4Digital Media catalogue which has huge potential for LDMSâ€.Â

â€œLDMS, with the addition of 4Digital and other recently signed labels will have a â€˜completeâ€™ offering for retail across every genre of DVD and as a result expect huge growth in 2009â€

Independent DVD distributorâ€™s 4Digital Media have an extensive catalogue covering genres such as feature films, sport, health & fitness, childrenâ€™s, special interest and music. Their diverse catalogue means that in the first quarter of 2009 they will be releasing such titles as: Barack Obama â€“ His Story, Kylie â€“ Evolution of a Pop Princess, The World According to Miley Cyrus, Senna â€“ A Will to Win and Heath Ledger -A Tribute.

4Digitalâ€™s objective is to continue to expand the catalogue with quality programming and to create dedicated sub labels for a few of the more popular genres. The first of these sub labels is 4Digital Asia.

4Digital Asia specialises in Asian cult films in their original language with English sub-titling. Fans will be pleased to know that 4Digital Asia is very fortunate to have secured the theatrical, TV and DVD rights to two of the biggest franchises to come out of Japan in recent years; Death Note and now the 20th Century Boys trilogy; which many fans believe will be even more popular than Death Note. Having secured six major films provides 4Digital Media a solid platform to develop the 4Digial Asia brand over the next few years.

With the catalogue ever expanding Tony Taglienti of 4Digital Media is confident that the move to LDMS for sales and distribution is the right one for both 4Digital Media and its specialist sub label, 4Digital Asia.

Revelation Films & FUNimation sign with Lace DMS

2009-01-05T09:07:00-0600

Revelation Films and their Anime label FUNimation have signed an S & D agreement with Lace DMS, who are looking forward to working with the Film / TV / Anime specialists in the coming year and beyond. New titles in the coming months include the ITV1 Drama â€˜Wire in the Bloodâ€™, cult US Series â€˜Miami Inkâ€™ and Anime classic Full Metal Alchemist.

LDMS move into Arts and Cultural DVDs with Digital Classics

2008-11-14T09:05:00-0600

Digital Classics a Soho based label will be moving over to LDMS in the New Year.

As LDMS becomes more diverse and grows to meet the demands of their clients, the company has opened itself up to a wider range of niche and main stream markets placing it as an overall option for any DVD or games label.

Digital Classics, a part of DCD Media plc was launched in 2005 and since then has focused on bringing arts and cultural titles to DVD. In addition to releasing programming from within the group, the label has acquired external content and has expanded into classic films, drama, and documentaries. Digital Classics has continued to grow year on year with films and comedies starring the likes of Ronnie Barker, John Mills, Peter Cook, and John Cleese. Upcoming releases for 2009 include documentaries and films starring Stephen Fry, Audrey Hepburn, Julie Christie and Warren Beatty, as well as cooking programmes from the popular ITV daytime series, Daily Cooks Challenge.

Katherine Harlow Label Manager at Digital Classics is confident that the move to LDMS is key to Digital Classics success in 2009:

â€œ2009 is set to be an exciting year for Digital Classics. We have just acquired a number of excellent films and with a busy slate of titles the label is set to grow rapidly. With their solid track record and strong sales team, Lace seemed like the natural home for our sales and distribution. This deal marks an exciting new phase for Digital Classics as we grow the brand, and I am looking forward to working with the team at Lace in the New Year.â€Â

Andy Lyon Director of LDMS is thrilled to welcome Digital Classics on board:

"We have been working with Katherine on their sister companyâ€™s (West Park Pictures) release of the hit BBC documentary Stephen Fry in America and have experienced a group of people who are focused and energetic with a real hunger to succeed in the DVD publishing business.Â After the huge success of Stephen Fry in America itâ€™s a natural progression for Lace and Digital Classics to work much more closely together in 2009 and bring onboard the existing Digital Classics catalogue and all future new releases. This is a very exciting relationship for Lace Digital Media Sales as Digital Classics plans for growth will help to ensure a strong line up of new product for 2009â€

LDMS sign up Ray Mears Bushcraft DVDs

2009-01-30T09:04:00-0600

LDMS continue to ensure a future for independent DVD labels by taking on sales and distributions deals after Pinnacle ceased trading in 2008. LDMS recent signing is Woodlore DVD which adds another genre of DVD to their catalogue of titles.Â

Adam Lacey MD of LDMS explains how the quick turnaround is possible.

â€œOnce a label assigns us to manage their business it is our priority to move their stock from the previous incumbent and set those lines up at Sony DADC within days with the minimum disruption to the flow of sales, stock and business.â€

Woodlore has been running for 7 years as a DVD label and is owned by wilderness guide Ray Mears who is best know for his Bush Craft series on the BBC. As a label Woodlore have been releasing the BBC series on DVD for the past 7 years.Â Â

Steve Gurney director of Woodlore is looking forward to working with LDMS and Sony DADC UK:Â

â€œWe have every confidence that the partnership with LDMS and Sony DADC will be a successful one â€“ 2009 is an exciting year for Woodlore as we have plans to expand our growing range of DVDs and drive the brand forward. LDMS and Sony DADC have worked very fast and professionally to get our product to retail without any hold ups.â€

As LDMS continue to add independent labels to their client list their portfolio and profile within the home entertainment sector is becoming more established. â€œWe are totally committed to the independent labels and helping ensure they get healthy representation at retailâ€ commentated Lacey. â€œWoodlore have a very strong range of Ray Mears programmes and we greatly look forward to working with them.â€

JoWooD start the New Year with new Sales and Distribution partnerships

2009-02-03T15:02:00-0600

JoWooD, the international gaming developers and publishers have signed up Lace (LDMS) to handle all their UK sales and Sony DADC UK to handle all their logistics starting from 1^st February 2009.

JoWooD, the Vienna based developers and publishers of computer and videos games have been publishing games for the last 10 years, releasing internationally acclaimed titles such as Gothic 3, Crazy Chicken and Sam and Max. Their success is set to continue to grow as the games market is showing no sign of slowing up with an incredible growth of over 23% in 2008 in the UK and ever increasing profits; the games market is expected to take the lead over other home entertainment products this year and seems less affected by the global recession than CDâ€™s and DVDâ€™s.

Historically, Lace is known as the leading sales and distribution solution providers for independent DVD labels in the UK and Eire, but as Adam Lacey, MD of Lace explains, moving into the gaming market is the obvious next step for the business.

Adam Lacey â€œThis is a very logical step and is a tremendous opportunity for our company. We have a sales and support infrastructure to manage new release and range product in the games business. We have the contact base and already deal with the vast majority of games retailers through Sony DADC on a daily basis with our DVD product. We are now expanding our retail and online account base to ensure total coverage of the games market. We have shuffled our team and plan to expand the sales structure to help manage the additional business. We plan to bring fresh focus, energy and dynamism to the games market. JoWooD has a great track record and will be bringing a number of really new exciting games to the UK market this year across all consol formats.â€

JoWooD continues to invest in the creation, licensing and development of its software and games in order to keep up with the boom in home entertainment stations such as the Nintendo Wii and DS, and other console systems.

â€œAfter investigating and researching the video games market in the UK, we realised the huge potential for very strong and promising console titles like ours. So we got in contact with the LACE Group and were overwhelmed by theirÂ professional performance and great experiences in sales.â€ says Catalin Muresan Marketing Manager UK, JoWooD Productions.

Andy Lyon of LDMS is confident his team can make an impact in the UK gaming market for JoWood:

â€œThis deal is a very important one for the development of our sales business. Games is just about the only growing market left in the entertainment sector and itâ€™s a natural progression for us to be involved in this very successful business. We already have experienced staff in Glenn Hayes, previously of Rage Games within our team, whom is well versed in the games business.Â 2009 is already looking to be our most exciting and most successful year yet thanks to the wonderful new DVD catalogue we represent and this new games ventureâ€

Lace News Update January 2009

2009-01-05T02:59:00-0600

Lace Digital Media Sales (LDMS) are pleased to announce we have secured Sales & Distribution deals with both established and newer labels, Beez Entertainment â€“ one of the UKâ€™s leading Anime label; Â Powis Square Pictures, a brand new label offering the best in Cult, Arthouse and Classic films; Stoney Road Films who release the highest quality World, Independent Films and Documentaries; Joiningthedots.tv, independent Documentary specialists catering to the curious, intelligent and sophisticated; Sullivan Entertainment, leading Emmy-award winning producer of high-quality family entertainment since 1978; Second Life, leading UK Horror DVD label.

A1GP Season Review DVD to be released through Lace DMS:

2008-09-23T10:30:00-0500

LDMS are pleased to announce the first ever release of the A1 GP 2007/2008 Season, motorsports newest and fastest growing race series. The cars are all identical Ferrariâ€™s with countries, not teams, competing against each other, giving fans some of the most exciting races ever seen on a race track. The 2-disc DVD is out on 13^th October; watch the current season from November on Sky Sports. www.a1gp.com

Lace DVD secures 2008 Ryder Cup rights to be released through LDMS:

2008-09-28T10:29:00-0500

Lace DVD (sister company to LDMS) are pleased to announce the Ryder Cup 2008 UK DVD rights. Although Europe did not quite have enough to retain the Samuel Ryder Trophy for a record 4^th consecutive time it was a fabulous occasion as always, with the worldâ€™s top golfers pitted against each other as the USA and European teams went head to head over three days of amazing golfing action. The DVD is released on 27^th October.

Lace DVD secures 2008 Rugby League World Cup rights to be released through LDMS:

2008-09-25T10:28:00-0500

Lace DVD is pleased to secure the DVD rights for this years Rugby League World Cup in Australia. With England playing as England for the first time ever as the GB Team was disbanded for this occasion the hopes are high for the home nations. See all the highlights from Australia with more tackles, tries, blood, sweat and tears than ever as 16 teams compete to be crowned the best in the world. See all the action on DVD on 29^th December.

Lace DVD secures Ricky Tomlinson Live DVD to be released through LDMS:

2008-09-29T10:21:00-0500

In 2007 Lace DVD had a top selling title with Ricky Tomlinson, Ricky Tomlinson Football My Arse â€“ one of the best selling special interest DVDâ€™s of the year.Â In 2008 Lace DVD follow it with the much awaited â€˜Liveâ€™ show filmed during his UK, nationwide UK tour. This DVD is out on 10th November, along with a boxset containing this years live show and last years Football My Arse DVD.

West Park Pictures to release Stephen Fry in America through LDMS:

2008-09-30T17:20:00-0500

The 6-part series Stephen Fry in America begins on Sunday 12^th October at 9pm on BBC1, with Stephen giving us a unique insight into what makes America tick. The series follows him as he travels around each of America's states in his black London cab in order to discover, in his own inimitable style, what makes the country unique and to get under the skin of American life. Stephen is shown the country by its proud citizens as he drives across the continent uncovering the idiosyncrasies that makes each state individual and the similarities that make America distinct.

The 2 disc DVD and Blu-Ray releases are out on 17^th November including DVD extras from the original series.

World Cinema label 4 Digital Asia signs with LDMS:

2008-09-30T16:19:00-0500

4 Digital Asia, the company behind one of the most anticipated World Cinema titles this year, Death Note, has signed an S & D deal with LDMS for their forthcoming releases. LDMS and 4 Digital Asia feel that this will be a very strong relationship.Â LDMS have extensive knowledge and expertise having been working with anime specialists ADV for a number of years. Â Key forthcoming titlesÂ include Yo Yo Girl Cop, Black Kiss, Death Note 2: The Last Name, Starfish Hotel and of course the final installment of the Death Note trilogy, L: Change the World.

LDMS growth in spite of the recession:

2008-09-30T04:19:00-0500

A combination of new labels, new product and gathering momentum has helped LDMS increase its business, year on year by over 25%. With a fantastic slate of new releases in quarter four the sales and distribution specialists are confident they will end up with an annual turnover increase approaching 40% up on 2007.

Lace News Update:

2008-09-30T10:17:00-0500

Lace Digital Media Sales (LDMS) has had a very busy past 6 months and are pleased to announce we have secured Sales & Distribution deals with both established and younger labels, namely World Cinema stalwarts Soda Pop and Drakes Avenue, Gay and World Cinema specialists Peccadillo Pictures, documentary newcomers Artefact Media, Ice DVD who have the great Ennio Morricone on their catalogue, World Cinema newcomers BritFilms and Maiden Voyage Pictures, film label Suckerpunch Promotions and lastly but by no means least documentary makers Illuminated Films.