Cinram has signed a new multi-year contract with Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment under which it will continue to serve as the primary supplier for replication and distribution services for the studio across North America and Europe. Cinram has also entered into a multi-year distribution agreement with TF1 Vidéo in France.

Cinram and Fox’s continuing 14-year relationship spans from VHS, to the launch of DVD and recently with the mainstream adoption of the Blu-ray Disc format. Cinram says the two companies “have demonstrated a seamless configuration in their operations.” The resulting centralised manufacturing and distribution model “offers a state-of-the-art dissemination of product with great success across the supply chain.”

“Fox helped firmly establish our growth from the company’s origins in Canada to expansion in the US and worldwide market that has resulted in top-notch levels of manufacturing and distribution services,” says Steve Brown, Cinram CEO.

The agreement with the video subsidiary of France’s leading commercial broadcaster TF1, which commences on 1 July, will include a full order to cash distribution service including Cinram’s proprietary Vision business intelligence offering. The territories covered by the agreement include France, Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco and Switzerland.

TF1 Video’s inventory includes high-profile French theatrical and television releases together with the rights to major film and television content from US and international markets. “The signing of the Cinram agreement demonstrates a move by TF1 to regain a more active role in the supply chain management of its products after the decision not to renew a joint venture with their incumbent service provider,” says the company.

Earlier this year, Cinram acquired digital media company 1K Studios as part of its broader initiative to expand into digital platforms, including digital downloads, mobile and tablet apps, advanced Blu-ray discs, stereoscopic 3D and social media. Cinram is currently engaged into a corporate rebranding. It won a Merit Award in the 2011 REBRAND 100 Global Awards, which recognise excellence in brand repositioning.

Story filed 12.05.11