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Gould in new Pact to serve American indie producers
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HE NEWLY launched PactUS, the American counterpart of Pact, the UK trade organisation representing British independent production companies, is making its MIPCOM debut to help improve its members’ international reach. Matt Gould, executive vicepresident of PactUS, said his mission in Cannes includes getting to know international buyers and distributors, and introducing them to the US scripted and unscripted production companies it represents. “We’re bringing a successful platform from the UK to the US,” he said. “And having worked for UK-based Zigzag Productions, I have felt the benefits despite being in the US. We’re speaking with a unified voice for the US production community and the idea is to make our office more American in its mission.” Launched in June, PactUS is a non-profit body filling a gap in the US independent sector.
PactUS’ Matt Gould: American mission
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While the Producers Guild of America tends to represent individuals, PactUS is serving the sector as a whole, Gould said. If anything, PactUS will be doing for the independents what the Motion Picture Association of America does internationally for the Hollywood studios. This includes informing members of best practices, sponsorship opportunities and digital opportunities while offering business and legal support, and sharing the latest news on deal structures. There are differences between the UK and US markets that need to be considered, Gould noted. “The government and regulatory systems are totally different from those in the UK. Many of the victories that Pact won in Britain were with legislation; in the US, we must win them with business strategies.” PactUS’ advisory group includes leading executives from Endemol Shine North America, Electus International, and Conde Nast Entertainment.