INTELLIGENT INVESTING WITH BANJO,well sort of! (Ed-hmmmm-lol)

Galleon Holdings plc has three key divisions:Galleon Entertainment for entertainment type IP,Croco Worldwide for product IP,Phoenix for interactive TV services for broadcasters in China/South East Asia which includes Robot Information Technology (Lushy Assets ('Yunbo')) who are a wireless interactive platform service provider in China who will work alongside Phoenix to enable GON to hold on to a greater part of the generated revenue and so increase the profit margin......think that's the plan! :-)

This makes Galleon Holdings a 'One Stop Shop' to develop and complete new and existing IP's.

Financial PR Redleaf Communications


WEBSITES/LINKS


Galleon Holdings


The Galleon Group of Companies

Galleon Entertainment
Phoenix
Robot Information Technology
Croco Worldwide

Websites associated with GON

Dragonfruit Studios
Super Soccer Star-2nd Roll out-Malaysia
Fortune 5
Skunk Fu Website
Skunk Fu Merchandise-UK
Skunk Fu Merchandise-USA
Apollo's Pad>
The Hunt for Miss Apollo
Sokator442 Web Page
Mysti Web Page


Toy Shelf-website that appears to get updated regularly
Qube Media-Web Marketing/Production for Apollo's Pad
Lavish
Cake Entertainment
Cartoon Saloon & Their Skunk Fu Blog
FATKAT Animation Studios
Good Story Productions-The Series Producers for Apollo's Pad
Copernicus Studios Inc
The Internet Movie Data Base (Skunk Fu)


GON ANNOUNCEMENTS (updated-26/01/09)

CLICK HERE FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM 2006 TO LATEST PLUS OTHER BITS AND BOBS


Acquisition of Phoenix Investment Global Limited, Placing of Shares and Confirmation of Total Voting Rights-23/10/07
Galleon to buy China's Phoenix Investment for up to 5.5 mln stg UPDATE-23/10/07
Galleon Receives Supply Order for Latin America-25/10/07
TR-1 NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES (Ashcourt) 31/10/07
TR-1 NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES (Imagination Holdings Limited) 07/11/07
Interactive TV Agreement with TV3 - Malaysia's largest broadcaster 09/11/07
'Skunk fu!' - Global TV placement 12/12/07
TR-1 NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES (Cheyne) 13/12/07
Change of Adviser 17/12/07
Interactive TV Agreement with Metropolitan TV and CH 9 21/01/08
Results 30/01/08
Acquisition of Wireless Interactive Platform Service Provider in China 20/02/08
Galleon launches Soccer Show in China with Chelsea F.C. and Guangdong TV Sports channel 03/03/08
AGM Statement and Partnership with RDF Media 02/04/08
Galleon Holdings sees H1 revenues higher than previous full year 02/04/08
Skunk Fu! Breaks into US-27/05/08
Launch of Toyline in the US and Appointment of Licensing & Distribution Partners-09/06/08
Syndication of Super Soccer Star in Shanghai region-23/06/08
Interim results for the six months ended 31 March 2008-27/06/08
Agreement with Hunan Television in China-07/07/08
Roll-out of latest product IP-14/07/08
New Product Order-29/07/08
Agreement with MMTV in China-14/08/08
US distribution agreement for Skunk fu! toyline-19/08/08
Strategic US Partnership-17/09/08
Co-production agreement for Super Soccer Star in Malaysia & terms agreed for Super Soccer Star in Indonesia -29/09/08
Trading Update-07/10/08
First Earn-Out Payment - Yunbo 13/10/08
BAFTA Nomination & Appointment of Subsidiary Director-17/11/08
UK distribution agreement for Skunk fu! toyline-27/11/08
Yunbo launches Chinese lottery mobile application-10/12/08
Preliminary results for the year ended 30 September 2008 (Issued 19/01/09)
Acquires stake in US strategic partner-26/01/09

Latest News/Events

SUPER SOCCER STAR STARTS WEDNESDAY 7 JAN 2009.DON'T MISS IT!

CLIK HERE FOR SOME BACKGROUND INFO.ON Michael Koziol and Melissa Honabach (DRAGONFRUIT STUDIOS)

26th June 2008 Galleon – And Its 'Edgy' Strategy by Tom Bulford

Just a quick observation regarding the Croco page (link below) showing some past work,I don't remember the footballing Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd being there before but I could be wrong.......

http://www.crocoworldwide.com/pages/oem.php

Hmmmm,I think I missed something regarding the announcement (14 August 2008) and the agreement with Chinese National digital TV broadcaster MMTV to co-produce a series of Galleon's Play Along Gameshows ('PAGS').

It's not the fact they got the PAGS deal,obviously.....or that these shows are expected to launch in September........or MMTV broadcasts across 92 cities and currently reaches an audience of approximately 75 million,which is expected to grow to 130 million by the end of 2008........... but this bit:


"In addition to co-producing these shows, Galleon has secured an exclusive contract for its China based Mobile Service Provider Yunbo, to provide billing and fulfilment of all mobile or telephone based interactive activity, across all MMTV's programming." IE. across all MMTV's programming!!!!

http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200808140700052936B.html

The charts below might suggest another surge upwards (like last year) but it all depends on news flow and news flow that has substance,which GON are good at!

GON as of 17 September 2008 and the Dragonfruit Studios partnership:

Commenting on the partnership, CEO of Galleon Holdings, Stephen Green said:

'The partnership with Dragonfruit Studios is highly complementary to Galleon's business with the addition of a US operating presence, expansion opportunities for our brands into the United States, digital media expertise and access to major global brand advertisers. The relationship will greatly enhance our ability to drive revenues from these properties in the US and globally in the immediate future.'

Where next? The World? Then again got most of it already,population wise! :-)

Hmmmm,strange day regarding trades,timings and SP drops!

Better late than never :-)

Galleon and Dragonfruit Brings Two New Properties to U.S.

Publish date: Sep 23, 2008

U.K.-based Galleon has joined forces with U.S.s Dragonfruit Studios to debut Super Soccer Star and Web sitcom, Apollos Pad, in the states.

Super Soccer Star is a family reality series to find the worlds next soccer star. The show is produced in association with the Chelsea Football Club. It was recently launched in China and already has many sponsorships, live and online events, and branded merchandise.

Apollos Pad is a Web-based comedy property targeted to the young male audience, and features Webisodes and exclusive music videos.

banj

87.7m shares in Galleon are held by 21 holders

each holding circa 1%+

any sign of buying and we are off to the stars.

Evening chamcham,

As of 31 March 2008 there were 98,093,553 shares in total so 89% of the company is held by 21 holders with the main holder as below so obviously included in 'the 21',I would have thought,cheers for posting info.

As of 23 October 2007 David Wong and Pritesh Desai through being directors of Imagination Holdings Limited had 21,349,306 shares so roughly 21% in addition to the following Directors having:

Stephen Green 550,000
Leonard Dunne 550,000
Pritesh Desai 60,000

Banj

shares in issue a little higher just under 100m.

Only had a quick look earlier so was just a rough figure from March 2008,the Mrs Banjo wants to talk house decorating type things so I obviously have to listen :-)

The Dragonfruit Studios partnership was totally out of the blue as far as I'm concerned and opens up a whole new area for GON and what an area!

Dragonfruit Studios is a very young company (as was Phoenix) with two people at the helm having the credentials well suited and proven in the direction GON are travelling.
Any views?

Not sure if Michael Koziol (Dragonfruit Studios) is still part of the RMS Advisory Board for 'LearnSomething' but of interest either way:

Retail Momentum Series Advisory Board

Michael Koziol

Michael Koziol is the co-founder of newly launched Dragonfruit Studios, an Atlanta-based media-independent content studio. From April 2004 until the end of 2007, Michael served as EVP, Strategy and Development for Nurun, Inc., a global interactive agency with offices in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia. He joined Nurun after it acquired Ant Farm Interactive, the Atlanta-based interactive agency that he co-founded with Melissa Honabach. While involved with Nurun and Ant Farm, Michael advised world-class brands and organizations, including AT&T Wireless (Cingular), Equifax, L'Oreal, Unilever, The Home Depot, Bombardier Recreational Products, Evian, and many others about interactive marketing, new consumer and audience expectations and changes in the media mix, the potential for brands to become media properties, and the role of community and social networking in relationship marketing.

Prior to launching Ant Farm Interactive in 1999, he was with BellSouth IntelliVentures and was responsible for product development and pricing of the full range of BellSouth Internet advertising products. In addition, he identified and analyzed new investments, business lines, and product opportunities. He is currently a board member of the Georgia Breast Cancer Coalition Fund and The Center for Puppetry Arts.

http://www.learnsomething.com/About-Us/board-of-advisors.htm


Edit-and GON have updated their website today with the Dragonfruit Studios partnership announcement.

A little bit more on Michael and Melissa's past company,a bit dated but of interest:

April 28, 2004

Nurun Acquires Ant Farm Interactive

Founded in 1999, Ant Farm Interactive is a privately owned company that reported sales of US $4.5 million in 2003. The firm's expertise includes interactive marketing strategy and brand development, interactive advertising, and electronic customer relationship management. The company has a proven track record of significant growth and profitability over the last five years. Ant Farm Interactive's clients include leading companies such as Cingular Wireless, Disney, Earthlink, Equifax, SunTrust, The State of Georgia, and TIAA-CREF.

http://www.quebecor.com/NewsCenter/PressReleasesDetails.aspx?Culture=en&PostingName=28042004

I think it's worth spending a bit of time delving into anything associated with Dragonfruit Studios both past and present,mainly due to the following:

Commenting on the partnership, CEO of Galleon Holdings, Stephen Green said:

'The partnership with Dragonfruit Studios is highly complementary to Galleon's business with the addition of a US operating presence, expansion opportunities for our brands into the United States, digital media expertise and access to major global brand advertisers.The relationship will greatly enhance our ability to drive revenues from these properties in the US and globally in the immediate future.'


Commenting on the partnership, CEO of Dragonfruit Studios, Michael Koziol said:

'Globally, the future of entertainment and media is in the creation and execution of relationship-driven multi-platform properties that engage consumers on numerous different media fronts and facilitate the relationships between brand sponsors and their end consumers.Together with Galleon, we are confident that the right formula and thinking exist to create lasting media and entertainment brands and build value for our businesses and brand partners.'


Again a bit dated and long but hay ho,makes good reading:

Secrets To Optimizing An Online Campaign
by Melissa Honabach

Published on December 10, 2002

Online advertising offers a true opportunity for brand-to-consumer interaction and a direct connection to a company's business model.

We are past the days of pure experimentation with this medium. It is a proven and crucial component of effective marketing programs, providing the best of all worlds in regard to branding and direct response impact.

Yet online advertising is not like television, radio, print or even direct mail advertising, and cannot be approached the same way. To take full advantage of its strengths, marketers must be proficient with the analytics of the medium and the concept of campaign optimization.

Online advertising is rich with data, but unless you know how to use it to consistently optimize performance, the information is worthless. Here is a quick look at the basics.

Set and Communicate Relevant Goals

Before embarking on an online campaign, know the average value of a customer, or even better, the average value by customer segment. This number is critical to the marketing plan and becomes the foundation for targeting and calculating true return on investment.

Communicate this information to your online agency or media partner, creating a benchmark to meet and beat.

Know Before You Go: Test, Test, Test

Before launching any form of online advertising, test the media to ensure a good fit exists with the message and target audience. Commit a relatively small portion of your marketing dollars before deploying the entire budget.

Testing provides an opportunity to determine if the audience will respond and offers real numbers to use when projecting the impact of a larger media buy. A comprehensive test includes multiple websites and ad sizes. Plan to spend at least $5,000 to $10,000 per site and to test each for a two-week period.

For example, Ant Farm Interactive promoted a relatively complicated financial services product, targeting individuals researching auto and home purchases. We conducted tests on several car buying websites, as well as mortgage websites, and produced multiple ads in a variety of sizes, including banners, skyscrapers, power ads, text links and emails.

Results were tracked through a leading ad serving system to determine the best performing sites, placements within these sites, ad types and messages. Ad views, clicks and purchases were monitored. Media and creative were evaluated by the cost per product sold. This metric was then used to refine the plan and the interactive agency extended buys on the best performing sites.

During a two-week sampling period with a limited media buy, marketers can expect the target cost per sale may not be obtainable, and cost per impression will be more expensive. However, by the end of the test period, the cost-per-conversion ratio should be within an acceptable range, approaching your goal.Ultimately, optimization is an iterative process that reduces costs over time.

Balancing Act: Consider Media AND Creative

Optimizing media OR creative instead of both is a mistake many often make. Experts know the power of breaking down all variables associated with online advertising and optimizing them in concert.

This was demonstrated by a campaign for a travel industry client that included direct-response, traffic-driving, lead generation banners on about 10 sites. The marketing objective was to deliver qualified individuals to the client's website and encourage them to register to receive more information.

SouthernLiving.com was among the top performing sites. Three specific areas within this site were selected for the ongoing campaign--the home page, run of travel and the AOL weekend getaways.

Each day, performance was measured and compiled though the marketing communications firm's ad serving software, helping to determine which areas of the site and which specific creative placements achieved the most conversions. Agency personnel examined the data and made adjustments accordingly, constantly refining the media buy.

At the same time, the creative was evaluated for message effectiveness. On this particular site, two of the eight messages drove the greatest proportion of registrations and as a result, received wider exposure than the other six ads.

The agency also determined the most cost effective ad size and page placement. Constantly refining media and creative resulted in well over a hundred thousand visitors to the website, and reduced the cost per visitor by 48 percent.

Sizing Things Up: Built Smart and Built for Speed

When it comes to online advertising optimization, agency size doesn't matter. What's important is how quickly a firm analyzes campaigns and responds to data.

To ensure speedy analysis, the agency MUST have in-house ad management and Internet ad serving capabilities, as well as the right people at the controls. To achieve rapid response, data regarding results must be actionable and relevant to all those responsible for strategy, media planning/buying and creative.

When evaluating an agency, seek to uncover the processes that lead to their results. To identify an effective online agency, ask how:

Market research is tied to the creative process.

Campaign management and media buying functions work closely together.

Campaign management has direct connections back to the creative department.

All functions focus on meeting the client's goals and objectives.

While online advertising may seem intimidating to the uninitiated, in reality it offers a better opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of your program every step of the way. And if you understand the underlying processes, media optimization can help keep agencies and media partners accountable.

Ultimately, interactive marketing can produce enhanced bottom line results with a measurable return on investment.



Melissa Honabach Ms. Honabach is chief operating officer for Atlanta-based Ant Farm Interactive, a leading marketing communications firm specializing in interactive advertising and customer relationship management.

Of interest:

Hunan broadcaster may become first in mainland China to list content-related assets

Shanghai. September 23. INTERFAX-CHINA - Golden Eagle Broadcasting System (GBS), the sole TV broadcaster in Hunan Province, will insert core businesses into its Shenzhen-listed arm Hunan TV & Broadcast Intermediary Co. Ltd. (TIK), an official with Hunan TV said on Sept. 22, a move which would make it the first TV company in mainland China to publicly list content-related assets.

"GBS will insert competitive core businesses into TIK, which will be a milestone for GBS's future development," Zhang Huali, deputy director of Hunan TV, said in a statement on Sept. 22. However, he said no further details could be revealed.
Earlier that same day, TIK announced the suspension of the trading of its shares. The company said it was in talks with an unspecified company over acquiring assets through a private equity placement.

"GBS is very likely to insert content production and advertising
divisions into the listed arm," Xu Yaowen, a media analyst with Galaxy Securities, told Interfax.
"The assets to be inserted into TIK will possibly include divisions that produce content for GBS's brand channels, its entertainment channel and its cartoon channel, and its subsidiary, Shanghai EE-Media Co. Ltd.,"said Xu. "However,the content production division for GBS's news channel will not be considered, due to the Chinese government's tight control over news-related content,which means such assets cannot be listed."

However, GBS's plan still needs to be approved by several government organs, including the Propaganda Department of the Communist Party of China, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the State Council, the State Administration of Radio,Film and Television (SARFT), and the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), according to Xu.

"It remains uncertain whether the proposal will be approved.If it does,GBS will be the first TV broadcaster in mainland China that has content-related assets listed on a stock market," Xu said. "GBS has so far obtained support from SARFT's local broadcasting regulatory branch,the Hunan Provincial Broadcasting Bureau."

According to TIK's announcement, the suspension of its share trading will last one month, during which time the transaction plan will be decided.

GBS is one of China's largest TV broadcasters with the highest viewing figures. Its programs "Super Girls" and "Super Boys" are well-known across the country.

-HJL

http://www.interfax.com/4/430280/news.aspx

On the buying trail

Television Asia Plus asks potential buyers what worked in 2007 and what they are looking for in 2008

1 April 2008

Beryl Yan, Project Manager, Foreign Commission Department, Hunan TelevisionFor Hunan TV, reality and entertainment shows with trials and auditions have done well, along with new formats on recreation, public welfare, sports, and interactivity. Dramas have also proven to be a guarantee for channel share, especially ones with good storylines and youthful idols. In addition, Olympics-related programs such as game and quiz shows as well as formats incorporating Olympic elements are popular.Talent search shows Strictly Come Dancing and Just the Two of Us, co-produced cooperation with the BBC were among the top performers. In addition, Happy 2008, co-produced with UKs ITV, was Chinas first interactive TV program, and has taken youth audiences by storm. In-house produced dramas like Dreams Link, a love story scripted by Taiwanese author Qiongyao and shot partly in France, as well as Bloody Xiangxi, a series set in World War 2 were our top shows.2008 being the year of the Beijing Olympics, makes shows incorporating sports and Olympic elements the key programming that we are looking to produce and acquire. Also, we are on the lookout for game and entertainment shows, and interactive programming with a focus on public welfare elements.

http://www.onscreenasia.com/article-2644-onthebuyingtrail-onscreenasia.html

Trends: Eastern promise
Published: 21 September 2008 15:23 Author: Dominic Schreiber

While established and home territories remain critical, the UK's top distributors are increasingly looking to the emerging markets of eastern Europe and Asia.

http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/distributorssurvey/indepth/2008/09/trends_eastern_promise.html

I can't think of an announcement that GON have made over the last two years or so that hasn't arrived as predicted or is still being progressed for the future so bearing this in mind-RDF Media!

Still recovering in the UK from the 'Qeengate' affair and the possibility of a management buyout is still on the cards but this shouldn't effect any deals with GON:

"UK revenues were down 14pc to 27m, with profit down 18pc to 5.7m. However, performance at RDF's fast growing production business in the US was encouraging, and helped to boost group revenues by over 10pc to 57m."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/3072862/RDF-Media-blames-increased-losses-on-Queengate.html


But............If you take a gander at the recent deals they appear to be striving forward within the various divisions that make up RDF Media:

http://www.c21media.net/search/search.asp?keyword=rdf+media

Just to clarify the above:

02 April 2008-AGM Statement-Partnership with RDF Media


Edit-We could even see Dragonfruit Studios working alongside RDF Media for the complete package.............just typing aloud on that one though :-)

A bit of background info:

Just had a quick look at Cellcast (CLTV) where Mahesh Ramachandra,GON's global director of entertainment used to belong and for whatever reason he left,I think he made the right decission.

He must have been with CLTV for about 2 years and had a lot to do with the formation of 'Sumo TV' from what I can gather which is still going strong.Anyway,a repeat of this article is worthy,imo:

Mahesh Ramachandra joins GON

There has to be more to this Dragonfruit Studios (not to be confused with Dragonfruit Studio) deal me thinks!

"Dragonfruit was launched in January 2008 by Michael Koziol and Melissa Honabach, who previously founded interactive agency Ant Farm Interactive in 1999, which they sold to Nurun, a publicly traded (TSX) global interactive agency, in 2004. Nurun was subsequently acquired by Quebecor Media. The principals are widely recognised for their expertise in digital media and marketing, new and emerging media models, and advising leading global brands on the new media landscape. During their tenure at Ant Farm Interactive and Nurun, they advised a wide range of clients, including: AT&T, AutoTrader.com, Equifax, L'Oreal, Unilever, Evian, The Home Depot, Bombardier Recreational Products, Frontier Airlines, and many others."

"Dragonfruit has licensed the exploitation rights to Galleon's entertainment properties, Super Soccer Star and Apollo's Pad. Under the terms of the deal Dragonfruit will pay an initial fee of US $1million and royalties on future earnings."


It goes without saying that Michael Koziol and Melissa Honabach are key players in their line of work gained from my research and what I've posted recently.

An initial fee of $1million for SSS and AP is either a big gamble,they know the potential gains or there is more work coming Dragonfruit's way in the future.The royalty percentage would be of great interest too but doubt I will get to know that one.

It's all very exciting stuff,in my humbly opinion of course.

Hmmm,I know this is the old one but the Apollo's Pad website is down......I was just going to say how long will it be before we see the Dragonfruit influence?

Maybe not tonight as it's more likely months but it will be of great interest to me, anyway in seeing if AP changes but keeping the same interactive format......

Edit-AP is back again,I've probably put 'em off :-)