Ex-Imira exec launches distrib, bags ZDFE shows

Former Imira Entertainment sales chief Christophe Goldberger has acquired Asian distribution rights to the ZDF Enterprises kids catalogue, which includes live action series Wolfblood (pictured).

Goldberger has launched consultancy Gold Bee, which is based out of Barcelona, and will head to the Asia Television Forum with ZDFE.junior programmes including Q Pootle 5 and Wolfblood.

Gold Bee has also secured distribution of the catalogue in Spain, Portugal and Latin America, though this part of the agreement does not take effect until January 1, 2014.

The commercial arm of German pubcaster ZDF previously sold its shows into Asia itself and occasionally with local agents but “wanted someone dedicated to look after the slate”, Goldberger (below) told TBI.

At ATF, Gold Bee will focus on shipping animated shows including ZDF/BBC coproduced preschool series Q Pootle 5, which comes from the UK’s Snapper Productions and ZDFE; KiKA’s high rating bilingual edutainment series JoNaLu, which comes from Germany’s Scopas Medien; and Tempo Express, which is a coproduction of France’s Les Cartooneurs Associés and Fantasia Animation.

On the live action front, Goldberger will also target sales of 26x26mins CBBC and ZDF coproduced 8-12s drama Wolfblood and accompanying 13x12mins documentary series Wolfblood Uncovered, music-themed Dance Academy and Jonathan M. Shiff series H2O – Just Add Water and its sequel Mako Mermaida.

Gold Bee also has rights to new comedy adventure series Sam Fox Extreme Adventures and 41x15mins Prix Jeunesse-winning doc show Smart! That’s My Story.

Goldberger exited from his role as head of sales and acquisitions at Imira in May after eight years, as TBI revealed at the time. He has also held roles at Moonscoop and Kik Animation.

He told TBI that besides straight television sales, Gold Bee will also seek to develop, produce and finance content.