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Acorn International Announces Partnership with China State-owned Media Powerhouse Shanghai Media Group through Agreement with subsidiary, Dragon Entertainment Group
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Agreement frames Acorn’s partnership with one of the largest State-owned media and cultural conglomerates in China
Acorn International, Inc. (NYSE: ATV) (Acorn or the Company) today announced that its subsidiary, Acorn Media Group, signed a cooperation agreement with influential media powerhouse SMG through one of its key content subsidiaries, DEG, paving the way for Acorn’s broad partnership with one of the largest State-owned media conglomerates in China.
Following the establishment of this partnership, Acorn and DEG intend to work together to provide cross-border resources to support Acorn’s influencer management business, Acorn Entertainment, which represents celebrity talent and brands in China to help grow and monetize their presence here, as well as Acorn’s content business, which monetizes through VOD or live streaming ticket sales, as well as e-commerce and other revenue channels.
Mr. Jacob A. Fisch, Acorn’s President and CEO noted, “I’m very excited to announce what I believe to be a truly landmark deal for us. For Acorn, it provides a wide range of new opportunities and media channels to bring both our talent and our content to Chinese audiences, with the support and partnership of a powerful conglomerate like SMG. In China, this kind of partnership brings legitimacy and sets us apart from other foreign competitors; a partnership like this is critical for achieving our goal of bringing together influencers, content and product marketing into a single platform, at scale.”
Among other things, the agreement between DEG and Acorn provides:
1) DEG will provide the maximum number of media resources available to promote Acorn’s celebrity trips to China, including but not limited to (A) ensuring that Acorn’s celebrity clients will appear on DEG programs, news, talk shows, variety shows, and reality shows, and (B) arranging media and public relations interviews across applicable DEG internal medial channels;
2) DEG will provide brand resources for Acorn, and Acorn will endeavor to provide certain relevant celebrities to produce commercial collaboration arrangements and achieve endorsement deals between such celebrities and brands;
3) Acorn will from time to time endeavor to source singers and other performers for certain live events organized by DEG;
4) DEG will cooperate with Acorn to facilitate the growth and monetization in China of mutually agreed emerging artists from anywhere in the world, including but not limited to providing proper media resources to promote such artists;
5) DEG will be one of Acorn’s primary short form content distributors and will be responsible for securing the maximum number of media resources available to promote Acorn’s content. Simultaneously, DEG will source commercial deals for such artists.
6) Acorn will actively promote DEG’s interactive communication in the culture circles of America and Japan and provide services and support for the overseas activities and expansion of DEG.
Robert Roche, Chairman and owner of Roche Enterprises, Ltd. (RE) and Chairman of Acorn notes: “As Chairman of Roche Enterprises, which has business interests spanning U.S., China, Japan, and elsewhere around the world, I am pleased to see this framework agreement in place. This partnership will provide tremendous opportunities to tap into RE’s global network, and help Acorn present its capabilities not only in China, but also in Japan and the U.S. This powerful network sets Acorn apart from competitors operating with only a pure China platform, on one hand, and also allows Acorn to team up with a powerful Chinese conglomerate to support US businesses in China, on the other hand – providing a winning combination.”
About Dragon Entertainment Group
Dragon Entertainment Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shanghai Media Group, which manages and operates five specialty television channels and is also one of the largest content production company in China.
About Shanghai Media Group
One of the largest media groups in China, SMG’s businesses span a wide array of content and distribution, online and offline media, including: radio and TV networks, signal transmission, newspapers and magazines, drama and film production and distribution, OTT and streaming, IPTV, online and console gaming, digital advertising, home shopping and e-commerce, financial data and information services, children’s arts training, TV post-production services, live entertainment, tourism and cultural investments, etc.
About Acorn Entertainment
ATV Entertainment is a social media business that helps western sports and entertainment talent and a diverse range of brands develop a deep and meaningful impact in the Chinese market. ATV Entertainment provides a wide range of localized personal digital brand services, including social media and digital services for western talent and brands who seek to maximize their value in China. The company is a subsidiary of Acorn International.
About Acorn International, Inc.
Acorn International is a leading marketing and branding company in China, leveraging a twenty-year direct marketing history to monetize brand IP, content creation and distribution, and product sales, through digital media in China. Previously the leading TV infomercial company in China, Acorn today has three divisions support its growth: 1) Product Division, 2) Content Division, and 3) Influencer Management Division.
In the Product Division, Acorn sells product primarily through e-commerce channels in China, as well as through offline distribution and outbound marketing. In the Content Division, Acorn monetizes content. Specifically, in the Content Division, Acorn has redirected its direct marketing know-how to digital media in China, launching Acorn Streaming, which is primarily focused on live streaming and pre-recorded video content creation and distribution. In the Influencer Management Division, Acorn brings, through the creation of digital social content, leading U.S. celebrity talent and brands to China, representing their in-country digital presence. For more information visit: www.acorninternationalir.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “future,” “going forward,” “intends,” “outlook,” “plans,” “target,” “will,” “potential,” and similar statements. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations and current market and operating conditions, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company’s control, including the duration and intensity of the US-China trade war, which may cause the Company’s actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties, or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
Source: Acorn International, Inc.
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Fast Track AI to change the face of iGaming CRM
Fast Track will unveil its new AI-driven natural language platform on 2 September during its annual Fast Track House event in Malta. The launch will also be streamed live online from 4 PM CEST, giving the iGaming industry an exclusive first look at the future of player engagement.
For the past decade, Fast Track has pioneered real-time data integration, the Singularity Model, the only Gameplay Risk Engine, and Rewards, the first AI-ready gamification system. Each innovation has moved the company closer to its vision: to digitalise the iGaming industry and deliver the first self-learning engagement platform.
Fast Track AI is trained on over 10 years of iGaming expertise and designed to transform how CRM teams work. It can perform technical analysis on terabytes of real-time data, deliver advanced insights into CRM performance and player behaviour, and uniquely take direct action on those insights across the platform.
“This isn’t just AI added to CRM. This is CRM re-engineered for the natural language era,” said Simon Lidzén, CEO and Co-Founder of Fast Track.
“Even your wildest imagination can only take you so far; minds have been bound by constraints for so long that it is hard to picture the full power of Fast Track AI. You simply need to see it to believe it. This is why I am organising a live session to unveil it; to showcase what a native iGaming CRM, built on the most comprehensive real-time data infrastructure together with the Singularity Model, is capable of. I urge the whole industry to sign up.” Lidzén added.
The big reveal will take place during the Fast Track House event in Malta and will be streamed live online. The broadcast begins at 4:00 PM CEST on 2 September.
Registration is now open: https://app.livestorm.co/fast-track/fast-track-ai-in-action
The post Fast Track AI to change the face of iGaming CRM appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
TSG Group’s financial results for Q2 2025: solid foundations, transformation of core titles and global debut of Trophy Hunter.
In Q2 2025, Ten Square Games consistently executed its plan to transform its core titles and further expanded the flight simulator segment, with a particular focus on Wings of Heroes. The share of TSG Store in Group bookings reached new record levels.
The Company successfully prepared for the launch of its newest game, Trophy Hunter, on the global market and made significant progress in developing Real Combat Simulator. Although in the short term the effects of these efforts are not yet fully visible in q/q results, on a y/y basis – in H1 2025 – the Group recorded clear improvement in adjusted EBITDA and net profit, and generated a strong cash position.
“Our strategy is clear – the transformation of our core titles, accelerating the growth of Wings of Heroes, and bringing new projects to market. The past quarter showed that we are making real progress in each of these areas, even if the effects are not always immediately visible. That is why we are especially pleased with the successful launch of Trophy Hunter – our first new title since 2022. Players received it very positively, and early KPIs demonstrate clear growth potential. The progress achieved so far strengthens our conviction that the path we have chosen for the Group’s development is the right one.” – said Andrzej Ilczuk, CEO of Ten Square Games S.A.
Transformation of core titles
In H1 2025, Group bookings amounted to PLN 171.9 million, down 12.3% y/y, driven by declines in both core titles. In Fishing Clash, bookings reached PLN 101.4 million in H1, including PLN 48.7 million in Q2 2025 alone. Hunting Clash generated bookings of PLN 33.9 million in H1, of which PLN 15.2 million came in Q2 2025.
The Group continued the transformation process in both titles, aimed at halting the decline in bookings and rebuilding monetization potential. Key actions included extensive testing of player segmentation and offers, as well as improving the early-game user experience. During the period, user acquisition spending was significantly reduced. This was a deliberate decision which, while lowering bookings in the short term, is designed to increase the effectiveness of marketing investments in the longer perspective.
A return to higher marketing spend is planned once key game metrics, in particular early retention, improve. Enhancing the early-stage player experience remains a critical element of the transformation process. According to the Management Board, the tests already show initial positive signals, although full effects will take more time as the solutions are extended to larger groups of players who account for a significant share of Group bookings.
Growth of projects with increasing importance: Wings of Heroes, Real Flight Simulator and TSG Store
Titles in the flight simulator segment maintained positive y/y growth in bookings. In H1 2025, Wings of Heroes achieved bookings of PLN 13.6 million, up 111.7% y/y, while Real Flight Simulator generated PLN 10.5 million (+7.9% y/y). In Q2 2025, bookings for these projects reached PLN 6.3 million and PLN 5.2 million respectively. Both projects will soon deliver new updates to players.
TSG Store approached the strategic threshold of 25% share in Group bookings – in June 2025 the ratio stood at 23.4%. The share reached 32.9% in Fishing Clash and 21.7% in Hunting Clash. Record results of TSG Store were driven primarily by systematic in-house development, including the introduction of a unique currency in Hunting Clash, a redesigned store in Fishing Clash, and the implementation of a loyalty system for customers. An important external factor was also a U.S. federal court ruling allowing direct in-app communication with players using Apple devices in the USA about the store’s offer.
New projects: successful global debut of Trophy Hunter and development of Real Combat Simulator
On July 3, 2025, the global premiere of Trophy Hunter took place – Ten Square Games’ first new release since October 2022. Early retention and monetization metrics outperform the Group’s previous titles and highlight the game’s growth potential. The Company is supporting its development with marketing campaigns whose budgets are gradually increasing. The product roadmap for H2 2025 assumes rapid enrichment of the game with new content and features designed to strengthen its community aspects and differentiate Trophy Hunter from competitors. The team’s top priority at this stage is to support player retention and engagement. As of August, the development team has been expanded to 11 people. Trophy Hunter operates on a hybrid model, generating revenues from both in-app purchases and ads.
At the same time, Real Combat Simulator, developed by the Group’s subsidiary Rortos, is progressing. Work is currently underway on an update introducing multiplayer mode and new content – a key stage bringing the project closer to global launch.
Solid foundations and financial flexibility
“In the first half of 2025, Ten Square Games’ financial results improved year-on-year despite a decline in bookings. This improvement was largely driven by reduced marketing spend and strong cost discipline across other areas. During this period, we once again allocated a record-high dividend to our shareholders, while the strength of our business model was confirmed by a solid cash position that ensures financial flexibility for the future,” said Magdalena Jurewicz, CFO of Ten Square Games S.A.
In H1 2025, adjusted EBITDA of the Ten Square Games Group reached PLN 57.6 million, up 5.0% y/y. In Q2 2025, adjusted EBITDA stood at PLN 27.0 million – broadly in line with last year, but down 11.4% compared to Q1 2025. Net profit in H1 2025 increased 18.7% y/y to PLN 47.4 million, while in Q2 it amounted to PLN 20.0 million, lower both y/y and q/q.
Operating cash flow in January–June 2025 amounted to PLN 56.3 million, of which PLN 26.3 million was generated in Q2. In the same period, the Company paid a dividend of PLN 100 million and settled an earn-out payment of PLN 14.7 million to the former owners of Rortos. Regular generation of cash from operations provides the Group with solid financial foundations, enabling simultaneous investment in growth and sharing profits with shareholders.
The post TSG Group’s financial results for Q2 2025: solid foundations, transformation of core titles and global debut of Trophy Hunter. appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Kantar Finds Security Driving iGaming, SOFTSWISS Leading Loyalty
SOFTSWISS, a global tech provider with over 15 years of iGaming expertise, shares first takeaways from a Kantar-led qualitative study conducted at iGB L!VE London, showing that security, reliability and revenue-growth potential are the most influential criteria when selecting iGaming software partners. The findings also place SOFTSWISS first by Net Promoter Score (NPS) – the industry benchmark for client loyalty and advocacy.
Designed as an event-based, face-to-face qualitative survey, the Kantar study explored how operators, game providers, and iGaming tech companies make procurement and partnership decisions. Across the total sample, respondents most frequently ranked safety and security of operations as the number-one driver, followed by a reliable partner with a strong market reputation and the ability to open up new revenue opportunities. Close behind were stable, low-downtime infrastructure and a high level of client service – signalling that risk mitigation and dependable delivery are the baseline for partnership decisions, with growth enablement expected rather than optional.
The study revealed a clear divide in priorities between final decision-makers and decision influencers. Influencers place comparatively more weight on the “everyday assurances” of an iGaming platform, like:
- Security
- Client service
- Optimised service infrastructure
Final decision-makers look further out, prioritising:
- Stable infrastructure with minimal downtime
- Clear business-growth levers
- A reliable partner with a strong market reputation
For vendors, the takeaway is to address both sides: demonstrate service excellence to operational stakeholders and prove resilience, scalability and go-live readiness to executive sponsors.
Olga Resiga, Chief Business Development Officer at SOFTSWISS, said: “Security and reliability are now the non-negotiables of iGaming procurement. What Kantar’s work highlights is the two-lens buying logic: operational teams evaluate partners on day-to-day assurance – robust security, responsive support and efficient infrastructure – while final decision-makers judge long-term resilience, Tier-1 launch readiness and the capacity to unlock new revenues. Our roadmap is built for both: verifiable security and service benchmarks today, coupled with proven high-load performance and compliance for tomorrow’s growth.”
Net Promoter Score, calculated as the share of promoters minus detractors, is a widely used indicator of client loyalty. SOFTSWISS achieved the highest NPS in the evaluated set. In open responses, clients most often described SOFTSWISS as a “reputable company” and “most reliable”, repeatedly citing “reliability” as the key reason for high ratings. Beyond NPS, SOFTSWISS was most frequently associated with a broad range of strengths: safety and security, a reliable partner with strong market standing, stable and low-downtime tech infrastructure, and a high level of client service.
SOFTSWISS continues to share market-ready expertise with industry stakeholders. Recent resources include the Sportsbook Online Calculator and the iGaming in LatAm Report, both available on the SOFTSWISS website.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides certified software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 30,000 casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.
The post Kantar Finds Security Driving iGaming, SOFTSWISS Leading Loyalty appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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