The new web site will include information about the product and news updates, and can be found at http://www.moviesite.biz/.

MEDIA RELEASE
11 May 2010

Blethr-ing In Cannes!

Forres entrepreneurs David Sim and Geoff Wilcock will be proving to the world that they can get people talking as they launch a new software product, called Blethr, in Cannes next week.

Blethr will be launched at the internationally renowned film festival, and is designed to enable events, conferences and festivals to take advantage of the growth in social networks like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Blethr will provide a no-hassle package for event organisers, allowing them to get attendees, speakers and performers talking around an event using a combination of social networks, mobile phones and blogs. With the potential to record web-based communication about an event, Blethr can also extend the social and commercial value for event managers.

Blethr’s Project Director, David Sim, says it made sense to launch at one of the best known festivals. “Cannes is a huge event and, as well as providing a stunning backdrop in which to launch Blethr, it provides an opportunity for us to meet event organisers from around the world. During our time in Cannes, we will be Blethr-ing one or two conversations with important people in the film industry – and others! – demonstrating just how useful this application will be for events of all sizes around the world.”

The Blethr team already has meetings lined up with organisations from Malta, France, the Middle East and Ireland. In 2004 the team went to Cannes to launch MovieSite, a regional film marketing service, which has gone on to enjoy success across the UK, in Ireland and in the Middle East.

The name Blethr is derived from “blether”, and is designed to show the Scottish credentials. “Scots are known the world over for their friendliness and their sound business sense. Blethr is a fun and memorable name which plays up our Scottish background,” says David.

More information can be found at blethr.com, or by emailing david.sim@blethr.com.

For more information contact: David Sim, 07711 926 271.

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE http://blethr.com.

[ENDS]

Open Brolly agreed a contract to provide software to the Abu Dhabi Film Commission yesterday at the Cannes Film Festival. Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates and is building a major film and TV production centre for the creative industries as an investment for when oil revenue declines. It is only one of two film commissions in the Middle East and as well as looking to attract Hollywood it is also looking towards the rapidly growing Bollywood market. It has one of the biggest presences of all the screen agencies from around the world in Cannes this year.

We discover all sorts of interesting things along the way. One of these is social media (see below) and have set up a company to deal with this at 4tm-services.com.

We have had several speaking engagements and are currently planning our Cannes presence. One of the key areas this spring will be to spell out that film tourism need not be difficult to implement. To plan and co-ordinate is a different matter

One area we have been mentioning to clients over the last year is that they need to think about mobile internet access to information. People want to do things as easily as possible and the uptake on using mobile phones for email and getting information is huge; how many Blackberries do you see on the bus and train? I am pleased to see we are in good company Sir Tim Webbers has recently said this is the way ahead. The good thing about the mobile web is that if you have planned your web presence and services well it should not be too difficult to add this service.

In 2009 we expect mobile offerings in our screen agency, tourism and social media offerings.

Screen South cover one of the most dynamic parts of the UK film and television industry including Pinewood and Shepperton film studios.

On-site preparations continue for our Macbeth themed reception at the Benromach Villa in Cannes this coming Monday.

Other News from Cannes:

New Australian screen agency Screen Australia has been given AUS$103 million ($97 million) for its first year of operation.

The Irish Film Board has announced a huge Irish presence at Cannes this year. The focal point for the Irish film industry at the Cannes Film Festival, the Irish Pavilion, is once again open for business this week, as over 200 of the leading lights of the Irish film industry fly out to the festival this week promoting and selling new Irish cinema. The Irish Pavilion can be located on Esplanade Georges Pompidou in the International Village.

This year there is a wide range of new Irish films selling in the market including THE DAISY CHAIN, a chilling thriller starring Samantha Mortan, directed by Aisling Walsh (Song for a Raggy Boy) and produced by Subotica Films with sales being handled by ContentFilm International.