Recently, representatives from Guangdong Toy Association participated in the “Seoul Character Fair 2007” on invitation, and signed a MOU with the Korea Culture & Content Agency (KOCCA). It has been decided that, the two sides will enhance the cooperation in animation, comics and toy realms. It was the first time for KOCCA to sign with foreign association, noted Kim Jin-Kyu, executive vice president of KOCCA. It can be translated into Korea’s high recognition on the event.
Character fair, communication platform
Currently the largest fair of its kind in Asia, Seoul Character Fair had opened from July 25th to 29th in the country’s capital this year. The whole event was divided into two parts, including a “Business Day” and “Public Day“.
The KOCCA-organized event, which sees its 6th year now, had gotten support of Ministry of Culture & Tourism, International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA) and Guangdong Toy Association (GDTA). Exceeding 200 companies in realm of animation, cartoon character, comics, games, music and entertainment gathered in Pacific Hall, COEX (Convention & Exhibition) to demonstrate their latest works. The exhibition covered an area of more than 10,000 skm2.
As a trading event concerning international cultural licensing, Seoul Character Fair had constructed a communication platform for exhibitors and domestic and overseas buyers, offering valuable opportunity for promotion and marketing. Specialty symposium, business matching meeting and character fashion show were hold during the business days.
Friendly cooperation links up the two
Invited by KOCCA, representatives with GDTA took part in the event, including Li Zhuoming, administrative vice president, and Chen Huangman, secretary-general. So as to propel the development on culture and toy industry for the both courtiers, KOCCA and GDTA decided to provide support to events held by each other, as well as cooperate in information exchange. During the fair days, a MOU was agreed on by the two sides.
According to Kim Jin-Kyu, executive vice president of KOCCA, most of the famous characters would make their appearance in Seoul Character Fair. With such an event, closer relationship is expected to constructed, so that industries of China and Korea can share their experience. Kim also expected that, in the future, the fair would see larger area to hold more exhibitors and buyers.
Moreover, Kim noted that, it was the first time for KOCCA to sign with overseas association. He desires the two sides to keep in close touch with each other.
Expressing his thanks to KOCCA, Li Zhuoming introduced the toy business in Guangdong. He indicated that, around 80 percent of toys in the world were made in China. In fact, currently China was growing in quality and technique. He expected that, with China’s, particularly Guangdong’s advantages in location, cooperation between the two courtiers and support of Korea’s animation and comics industry, licensed products would see wider and stronger market.
Guangzhou Int’l Toys & Gifts Fair held in Guangzhou each April would welcome companies from Korea, said Li. At the same time, GDTA would organize domestic companies to participate in the Seoul Character Fair. Both would be benefit from the come-and-up.
Business matching meeting
Organizer had run business matching meetings to provide individual discussion for Korea’s animation and comics companies, game developers and buyers.
Having talks with near 10 companies in Korea, GDTA got more knowledge on companies like Pixtrendo, CLKO Entertainment, Roiworld, etc. Character owners are energetically presented their characters, works, technical development, commodities development, as well as future strategy. Quite a few of companies showed great interest in China’s market, however, they still had their question on how to enter this big market, especially related procedure and prevailing policy.
Korea boasts excellent character design and production, meanwhile representatives with GDTA introduced Korean companies the industrial and economic status quo and trend of China. Especially, Guangzhou Int’l Toys & Gifts Fair and B2B trading platform—Toys and Gifts Purchasing was advanced for those who were inclined to expand market in China.
Korean companies showed great interest in these effectively business opportunity.
Communication to be enhanced
It is known that, global animation and comics market now shows a state with three powers: U.S., Japan and Korea. U.S. is an old-line producer and Japan is well-developed and prime of its age. Besides, up-and-coming Korea marks the new generation of anime. Judging from statistics, though it only makes up a small part in global market, Korea’s animation and comics, particularly animation, has maintained a strong momentum, forming a developing pattern with Korean characteristics.
Presently, over 60 animation producers register in animation producer association of Korea, with over 20,000 people involved. Its production volume of animation is only next to U.S. and Japan. In fact, around 80 percent of background paint is finished by Korean. It was found that, however, some Korean animation producers have few knowledge about market of neither China’s animation and comic nor licensed product. When negotiating with Chinese buyers, they tend to offer high quotation. Firstly, some of production sees greater cost in Korea. Secondly, some companies have no idea about the income from television series in China, which is far from that in Korea. Therefore, it becomes extremely significant to enhance the communication between Korean and Chinese companies which are in the animation and comics industry. |