De Mol moves into Italy, forecasts massive growth for Talpa

John de Mol’s Talpa has inked the latest in a series of joint venture agreements and told TBI that the company is on course to grow 300-400% this year.

The latest JV is with Sony-owned Toro Produzioni, giving it a foothold in the Italian market. The deal gives Toro exclusive rights to make Talpa formats in Italy.

Toro was formed by Sony Pictures Entertainment late last year. It is run by Marco Tombolini, the former head of development at Endemol Italy and Pasquale Romano who has worked on Endemol and Talpa shows.

Talpa has been on an aggressive expansion drive since last year and has been busy inking similar JV agreements. So far it has deal in place with producers and distributors in the US, France, Spain, Portugal and Australia.

Speaking exclusively to TBI, John de Mol said the company will grow rapidly this year.

“There will be substantial growth this year and next – look at what we’ve done without a substantial organisation,” he said. “At Endemol we had a group of 25 people just to look after the international companies. I’m banging my head against the wall because I didn’t think of this JV model earlier. I think we will grow 300-400% this year.”

NOTE: The full interview with John de Mol can be read in the MIP TV issue of TBI Magazine