Alibaba Group launches a new music group with Gao Xiaosong as its chairman. (Photo : Reuters)
During a challenging period for Jack Ma's Alibaba Group, in which a group of U.S. legal firms is investigating a counterfeit-good claim, the powerful Chinese corporation announced a partnership with south China's Shenzhen Media, which is the nation's sixth-largest media company and is located in China's wealthy southern area.
At this stage, the two businesses have revealed a plan to produce television-based products.
While Shenzhen Media's involvement in the joint arrangement is obvious, the contribution of Ma's company is derived from an integral aspect of Alibaba: e-commerce. Production of several e-commerce television dramas will be the first project that the companies will embark upon, whereby Alibaba's online products will be incorporated into the delivery of the drama programs to Chinese audiences.
While the promotion and advertisement of new products during the dramas will be central to the marketing process for the dramas, the business model will form the basis of the ongoing future work of the partnership.
Zhang Qiang, CEO of Alibaba Pictures, explained to reporters on Thursday:
"Alibaba Pictures . . . has both online and offline advantages. . . . By using Alibaba's Internet and big data technology, Alibaba Pictures will transform and update the traditional TV production mode. Content production and distribution, grafted with Alibaba's e-commerce resources, will realize win-win business."
Shenzhen Media, which runs 11 TV channels, four radio stations, film studios and advertising agencies, was also vocal about its enthusiasm for the recent deal. The group's chief executive spoke of forthcoming innovations in the media realm and stated that the two businesses will create a "new development pattern with complementary advantages."
The new partners are also looking further afield, as they plan to hold discussions with both domestic and foreign media groups broadcasters in regard to sitcom development.
