For more information, contact Image Entertainment, Garrett M. Lee, 818 407 9100 ext. 265, glee@image-entertainment.com.
Image Entertainment Continues Expansion of European Distribution Presence
Image Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: DISK), a leading licensee and distributor of DVD programming in North America, Tuesday announced the signing of an agreement that will see the Company's exclusively held programs distributed throughout Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg by Video Film Express b.v. The exclusive distribution agreement was made with Image's joint-venture partner Aviva International, LLC, international sales agent for the Company's product, and Video Film Express b.v., of Houten, The Netherlands, for DVD and videocassette distribution to wholesalers, rack-jobbers, video retailers, schools, libraries and institutions in Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg. The first titles to be released under this new distribution agreement will be Image's record-breaking DVD Eagles: Hell Freezes Over and Sheryl Crow: Rockin' The Globe Live; Peter Frampton: Live In Detroit; The Cranberries Live In Paris; The Twilight Zone series; the original Broadway cast performance of Victor/Victoria with Julie Andrews, as well as a wide selection of additional programming to be announced and available to be released into the territory throughout the term of the deal. In addition to Image's exclusive titles, Video Film Express b.v., a cutting edge distributor of DVDs in the Benelux market, distributes such internationally acclaimed titles as The Deer Hunter, Murder on the Orient Express and The Cotton Club. In addition to this latest agreement, the Company recently announced exclusive distribution agreements with ICE STORM ENTERTAINMENT for Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland and with Direct Video Distribution, Ltd. for distribution throughout the United Kingdom. Image is also in the process of finalizing additional distribution deals for other key territories throughout the world. Martin W. Greenwald, Image's President and CEO, stated, ""The signing of this latest European agreement continues our strategy to become a global force in video distribution. The presence of our exclusive programming throughout Europe, in both broadcast and home video formats, is another opportunity to grow Image's revenues and leverage our licensing efforts. I will continue to pursue every opportunity to expand Image's worldwide presence."" Sim Van Veen, Managing Director of Video Film Express b.v., added, ""I am delighted that Image Entertainment has chosen Video Film Express as their Benelux distribution partner. The quality of Image's exclusive programming should ensure wide acceptance of these products and be highly successful in the countries we service.""