Aby Media will edit several Globo Originals in Ivory Coast

Start-up Ivorian production company Aby Media, founded by Bernard and Kimberley Azria, and Brazilian powerhouse Globo, have unveiled a new production-distribution deal for a range of popular Globo scripted titles. Under the new deal, Aby Media will produce local versions of several Globo shows and distribute their original versions in the area.

Both Aby Media and Globo will be attending this year’s MIP Africa in Cape Town, held from September 2 to 4, where they will showcase their range of formats.

Among the programs to be adapted or distributed by Aby Media in Africa are ‘Pantanal’, ‘Total Dreamer’, ‘Shades of Sin’ and ‘The Other Side of Paradise’. By producing local versions of the show, the partnership aims to meet the increasingly diverse demands of audiences.

“After nearly three decades of distributing Globo’s finished content in Africa, I am extremely pleased and proud to partner with Globo to launch this unprecedented, groundbreaking venture,” Bernard Azria explained of the new deal. “This partnership underlines our mutual commitment to excellence in storytelling and represents an important step forward in bringing high-quality, engaging content to African audiences.”

Kimberley Azria added: “Our alliance with Globo underlines the importance of creativity and adaptation in today’s media industry. Together, we are committed to producing content that resonates with local viewers, while maintaining the highest production standards.”

Aby Media works with and develops local talent by producing both scripted and unscripted content intended to bridge cultural differences. It aims to tell diverse stories that can appeal to a global audience. The current pipeline includes a local adaptation of SIC Portugal’s ‘Lucky Break’, a drama series about a fictional football club titled ‘Legends’, the politically charged missing persons drama ‘Echoes’ and a contemporary music series titled ‘Afrobeats’.

Speaking about the importance of these types of global partnerships, Globo Content Distribution and Partnership boss Fábio Mauro said: “This partnership strengthens our format sales strategy, as was the case with ‘Brazil Avenue’, which will be adapted in Turkey. We believe in the power of our productions, in the universality of our plots, and with the sale of formats it will be possible to convey Globo’s DNA and our Brazilianness and combine it with local production.”

Angela Colla, Head of International Business and Co-productions at Globo, added: “This initiative comes at a crucial time in today’s dynamic media landscape. As demand for new, compelling shows increases, there is a simultaneous need to mitigate risk and optimize resources. Adapting international script formats is therefore a strategic business and creative approach to navigating these complexities.”