Mercury Wins EU Media Funding and Raises Private Investment

MercuryMedia Wins EU Media Funding and Raises Private Investment

Following a successful application to the EU Media Fund, MercuryMedia has been awarded a 2011 development grant of up to €250,000 for its JoiningTheDocs.tv Documentary VOD platform.

In addition, a consortium comprising Philip Rowland, a former McKinzey & Co Partner, Simon Shaps, Mercury’s Chairman and Sam Potter of Masnomis Ltd have bought shares in Mercury as matched development investment alongside the EU grant.

Commenting for MercuryMedia, Chief Executive Tim Sparke commented. “Winning EU and private funding to develop the JTD platform, means we are now able to finance further technological development of the JoiningTheDocs.tv platform”. We are on course to re-launch a revamped platform later this year. This will connect our online platform with enabled TV’s and will utilise the combination of affiliate payment opportunities with unique trailer sharing capabilities. Producers will be able to host the trailer for their film on Facebook or on any website and viewers will be able to watch the film through their connected TV set.”

He added: “Furthermore, through the agreements we are negotiating with TV manufacturers, we will be offering branded documentary channel opportunities to existing distributors. This will enable their films to be seen in an on-demand channel environment without having to be hosted by a cable operator”.