For the Paris office of the New York Times Syndicate (NYTS), business is always brisk. Over 4,000 worldwide publications – both newspapers and magazines – are on the line requesting reprint rights for top articles from luminaries such as Umberto Eco or Thomas Friedman, for political satire cartoons, or increasingly for video content for websites.

Yet when the NYTS approached Quantum’s Europe antenna, the issue was how to develop a portfolio of magazine licenses that the NYTS represented for international licensing, with limited success. Among the titles represented were Harvard Business Review, Women’s Wear Daily (then part of Fairchild), Foreign Affairs, Prospect, and others.

Within a few months, Quantum had identified potential licensees in India, China, Russia, the Middle East and other countries in Europe and Asia. Thereafter, Quantum assisted in the negotiations with licensees, namely in the preparation of business plans and settling equitable terms.

The project also lead to the re-packaging of New York Times and third-party editorial contents in the business and fashion/lifestyle areas for use in foreign newspapers supplements and magazines. Among the third party providers were many top management sources, including McKinsey, Wharton, INSEAD and others. This packaged material also trickled down to new sales contracts in the syndication area.