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Contender Ent. Group Forms Two Separate Operating Divisions

Contender Entertainment Group (CEG) in the U.K. has split its operations into two separate divisions -- Contender Home Entertainment (CHE) and Rubber Duck Entertainment (RDE). The group contends that the new structure will help to capitalize on growth plans ambitions to double its size in the next three years.

CHE will form the U.K. home entertainment arm of the business, which it claims will be encompassing the largest independent DVD distribution operations in the U.K. The new division is in response to perceived growth opportunities, following changes to the terms of trade under the Communications Act, arising from the retention of rights afforded to the U.K.s burgeoning independent production sector. .CEG director of home entertainment, John, will head Contender Home Entertainment. He previously headed up the video division of Avid Distribution and managed marketing for both Sony and Universal.

CEGs new childrens intellectual property division, RDE, will include all production and rights management aspects of CEGs childrens properties, such as the highly successful TRACTOR TOM, PEPPA PIG and hot new title, HUMF.

Joan Lofts, who previously worked for CEG as the director of television, will head up the new department. Lofts was previously director of broadcasting for ITV2 and spent 12 years in television production with ITV.

Both of these businesses are now well established in their markets and have exceptionally promising growth prospects, said CEG md Richard Bridgwood. We felt the time had come to stamp an individual identity on each of these very distinct aspects of our business. This has reinvigorated the management and staff in each division who have been directly involved in the process.

Bridgwood continued, As we celebrate the groups 10th anniversary, this is a strong statement of intent that we aim to more than double both of these business over the next three years, and weve got the plan, the people and the resources to do it.

CEG (www.contenergroup.com) was founded by Bridgwood in 1995 and is one of the U.K.'s fastest growing media businesses. In February 2004, the company acquired Medusa Communications and Marketing Ltd. The company distributes material in three principal genres, comprising TV, children's programming and Asian martial arts movies.