Elastic Rights, the Madrid-based, brand management company, has expanded its portfolio by securing three more multi-media properties for exploitation in Spain, Italy and Portugal. One key deal has already been signed in Portugal, and Elastic’s President, Ignacio Orive, hopes to close further deals at MIPCOM.

Heading up the slate, for multi-media distribution in Portugal, are two animated football series produced by Enoki Films, ‘Flash Kicker’ (128 x 30 minutes) and ‘Captain Tsubasa’ (52 x 30 minutes). In a deal timed to capitalise on the Eurocup 2004 football mania, which takes place in Portugal, Elastic Rights has just inked a deal with European media giant Lusomundo

Lusomundo has picked up TV & home entertainment rights in Portugal, for ‘Flash Kicker’ and its sequel, ‘Captain Tsubasa’, totalling 180 episodes. Starring flamboyant football hero Captain Tsubasa, both series follow the victories, the defeats, the injuries and the heart ache of life on and off the football pitch.

‘Our objective is to work with strategic local partners in Portugal who can make the property a success both as a TV show as well as develop it into toys, videos, publishing, consumer products, promotions and much more, ‘ said Ignacio Orive, President, Elastic Rights.

Confirming its strategy of working with complementary properties, the second new series secured by Elastic Rights is the award-winning A&E Biography collection. Elastic is to handle home entertainment rights in Spain for a collection of over thirty prestigious A&E biographies, including profiles of Ingrid Bergman, Dalai Lama, Mao Tse Tung and Picasso. Elastic is now in advanced discussions to develop a very ambitious tie-in promotion in Spain with selected magazines and leading newspapers.

Finally, Elastic has secured multi-media rights in Spain, Portugal and Italy, for the popular teen reality series ‘I Wanna be Famous for a Day’ (Quiero Ser Famoso por un Día). Produced by Argentina’s Ideas del Sur for Telefe, the show allows fans to make a wish come true by playing the role of their favourite pop idol or sports hero for one day.

With the help of a talented team of advisors, such as make-up artists, voice coach, dance instructor or sports trainer, the selected person is transformed into their hero, who they eventually get to meet. A host of pop and sports celebrities have already taken part in the series including Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias and Paulina Rubio.

Elastic Rights is currently in discussions with broadcasters seeking to lock down a TV format deal for the thirty minute series. Ignacio Orive said: ‘We are very excited by the enormous ratings potential of ‘I Wanna be Famous for a Day’. We are hoping to make it a big European hit and replicate the ratings success it enjoyed in Argentina.’’

Already in its roster of programmes are Cinar’s ‘Caillou’ (46 x 30 minutes), Bandai’s animated sci-fi franchise ‘Gundam Wing’ (52 x 30 minutes) and the Oscar-nominated Chilean feature film ‘Ogú y Mampato’ (80 minutes).

Elastic Rights’ President Ignacio Orive, will be at MIPCOM, based on the Spanish producers’ stand FAPAE/ICEX.

For further information or visuals, please contact:

Sarah Horner, MediaVision, Madrid:
Tel: + 34 91 657 12 56
or mobile: + 34 69 66 52 146
email: mediavision@dial.pipex.com
or
Ana Sanchez Menendez, Director of Marketing, Elastic Rights, Madrid
Tel: +34 91 131 41 20
email: asanchez@elasticrights.com