'BOLLYWOOD BRENT' INITIATIVE LAUNCHED
(8 February 2006)

Celebrity Big Brother winner, Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty has inspired ABi Associates, a business development organisation, to launch ‘Bollywood Brent’ - an insight into the economic and commercial opportunities for Brent businesses and residents resulting from the global growth of the Bollywood brand. Bollywood is otherwise known as the Indian film industry, and the world’s largest, with around a thousand films produced annually.

'Bollywood Brent' begins with a series of evening master classes presented by successful entrepreneurs. These sessions will discuss the commercial potential of Bollywood, share tips and advice on how to exploit this growing market, suggest sources of information and highlight how to maximise the Bollywood brand to create a successful business.

BOLLYWOOD STATISTICS

• Bollywood produces 1000 films every year (double Hollywood's output)
• 14 million Indians go to the movies on a daily basis
• There are 1.1 billion people in India
• India sells 3.1 billion cinema tickets each year whereas the U.S. sells about 2.9 billion tickets
• By 2009, 4 billion cinema tickets will be sold each year in India
• Bollywood employs 6 million people
• Bollywood’s gross is about US$8 -10 billion a year
• In 1899 the first Indian short film was screened, and Bollywood was born
• Indian star Shahrukh Khan has 1 billion fans worldwide (CNN, September 2005) - the same number as Tom Cruise

BOLLYWOOD MASTERCLASSES

The first master class, on ‘Merchandising’, is on 15 March 2007, followed by ‘Film & Broadcasting’ on 22 March with Parminder Vir, OBE; ‘An Audience with Honey Kalaria’, the UK’s Bollywood ambassador is on 28 March, with Ms. Vir concluding the series on 29 March with ‘Raising Finance for your Production’. These workshops will be held 6-9pm at ABi, The Grange (formerly The Grange Museum), Neasden Lane, NW10. Tickets are available in advance on a first come, first served basis at £5 per event.

BOLLYWOOD BRENT SHOWCASE

Bollywood Brent will also welcome existing and new businesses to benefit from ABi’s support and advisory services. The culmination is a ‘Showcase’ on 29 April 2007 at the Wembley Plaza Hotel. This event will enable businesses to showcase their offerings during a daytime exhibition, with Bollywood-themed evening entertainment bringing the celebration to a close. Brent-based businesses, particularly home workers, individuals and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) interested in exhibiting should contact Aruna Patel, Project Coordinator on telephone 020 8438 4550.

Vijay Amin, Managing Director of ABi, commented, “In addition to being a huge source of entertainment, Bollywood represents a significant amount of economic and cultural activity, covering a wide spectrum, including music, film, fashion, dance, food, merchandising, online ventures, tourism, publishing and more. Bollywood offers vast opportunities for all in the supply chain – from the manufacturer, through to packaging and promotion. ABi recognises the benefits offered by the commercialisation of this enormous global brand, and we are excited about working with local individuals and businesses to maximise the opportunities available to them. Bollywood Brent is a platform to provide information, advice and a showcasing opportunity, as well as network with others who are like minded, and can share their success stories.”

For further information, visit www.bollywoodbrent.com

ABOUT ABI ASSOCIATES

ABi Associates was established in 1995 to influence the Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Business development agenda. ABi has an established track record in assisting public and private sector organisations to achieve their strategic aims through consultancy, project management and delivery. With over ten years’ experience and expertise in providing business support to small and growing SMEs to succeed, ABi Associates is recognised by clients, businesses and agencies as one of the UK's leading business development organisations.

ABi designs and delivers unique, innovative and tailored programmes enabling us to meet the needs of each individual and business to achieve sustainability. The organisation specialises in providing affordable professional business consultancy, training and support.

For further information, visit www.abi.co.uk