For our Content Americas 2026 issue, Ekin Koyuncu Karaman, Global Distribution & Partnership Director at OGM UNIVERSE, discusses the company’s evolution from a content provider to a global brand, the formula for success in the Latin American market, and the strategic vision for 2026.
As the global influence of the Turkish drama industry continues to grow, OGM UNIVERSE is navigating this momentum not just through sales volume, but through sophisticated, strategic brand positioning. For the company, 2025 marked a pivotal shift: transitioning from a phase of rapid expansion to a year of “strategic deepening,” where previous successes were consolidated and solidified. The achievements in critical markets such as Latin America, combined with the vision showcased at major platforms like MIPCOM, have positioned OGM UNIVERSE to enter 2026 with unprecedented momentum.
At the forefront of this global journey is Ekin Koyuncu Karaman, Global Distribution & Partnership Director at OGM UNIVERSE. In this interview, she shares insights into their objectives for Content Americas, the defining turning points of the past year, the emotional bridge built with Latin American audiences, and the strategic importance of the new genres set to join their catalogue in 2026.
“Deep in Love resonated strongly through its epic, timeless love story and emotional depth. Six of Us attracted attention with its ensemble structure and layered family dynamics, while Reborn stood out for its contemporary tone and character-driven narrative. The Fall of the King generated interest with its powerful, dramatic arc, high-stakes storytelling, and themes of power, ambition, and downfall, offering a more intense and elevated dramatic experience for the region.”
How would you summarize 2025 for OGM UNIVERSE? From both an international sales perspective and in terms of global brand positioning, what were the key turning points for you throughout the year?
2025 was a milestone year for OGM UNIVERSE, marking a clear shift from expansion to consolidation in our international strategy. From a sales perspective, we strengthened our presence in key territories while building deeper, more strategic relationships with long-standing partners. In parallel, we placed a strong emphasis on sharpening our global brand positioning, ensuring that OGM UNIVERSE is recognized not only for premium Turkish drama but also for high-quality, emotionally compelling storytelling with universal appeal. During this period, we also expanded our international team, reinforcing our capabilities across sales, partnerships, and global market strategy, and allowing us to engage with territories in a more focused and proactive way.
One of the defining turning points of the year was our presence at MIPCOM, where we hosted a dedicated OGM UNIVERSE event. This gathering enabled us to present our vision, catalogue, and future direction in a curated and immersive way. It was a key moment in strengthening our brand identity, fostering direct dialogue with international buyers, and positioning OGM UNIVERSE as a confident global player rather than simply a content supplier.
Throughout 2025, the alignment between our creative ambition and international sales strategy became increasingly visible. Titles traveled faster, conversations became deeper, and our brand message grew clearer. Overall, it was a year in which OGM UNIVERSE strengthened its voice, its relationships, and its long-term vision within the global market.
As the first major market of the year, Content Americas offers a clear snapshot of current industry dynamics. How would you assess the level of interest generated by titles such as Deep in Love, Six of Us, and Reborn in the Latin American market?
Content Americas once again confirmed the strong appetite in Latin America for premium, emotionally rich drama. The level of interest generated by Deep in Love, Six of Us, Reborn, and The Fall of the King was particularly encouraging, as each title connects with the market in a distinct way while remaining rooted in universal emotions.
Deep in Love resonated strongly through its epic, timeless love story and emotional depth. Six of Us attracted attention with its ensemble structure and layered family dynamics, while Reborn stood out for its contemporary tone and character-driven narrative. The Fall of the King generated interest with its powerful, dramatic arc, high-stakes storytelling, and themes of power, ambition, and downfall, offering a more intense and elevated dramatic experience for the region.
Overall, the conversations we had reflected not only curiosity about individual titles, but also a growing confidence in the OGM UNIVERSE brand as a whole.
Latin American audiences are known for their strong connection to emotionally driven stories centered on family bonds and themes of destiny. To what do you attribute the strong resonance of OGM UNIVERSE productions within this region?
We believe the connection comes from authenticity. OGM UNIVERSE stories are deeply rooted in human emotion, family ties, love, sacrifice, moral dilemmas, and destiny, themes that transcend borders and cultures. While our narratives are grounded in Turkish storytelling tradition, the emotional journeys of our characters are universal.
Latin American audiences, in particular, respond to stories that allow them to invest emotionally over time, and our dramas are designed exactly that way: character-led, emotionally layered, and driven by strong relational dynamics. This emotional honesty creates a natural bridge between our stories and the audience.
Looking at your catalogue, we see a strong blend of traditional Turkish drama heritage with a contemporary storytelling approach. Are there any new projects or genre expansions that OGM UNIVERSE plans to introduce to its catalogue in the early months of 2026?
Early 2026 is a year we approach with strong confidence for OGM UNIVERSE, driven by the continued performance of our ongoing series as well as a solid and carefully curated slate of upcoming projects. It represents a strategic next phase in the expansion of our catalogue. While emotional drama remains at the core of our identity, we are deliberately broadening our offering with more contemporary formats and tones, including elevated family drama, relationship-driven stories with a modern edge, and projects that blend classic melodrama with genre elements.
A key strength of our catalogue continues to be the exceptional performances delivered by our cast. Working with some of the most compelling and respected actors in the region allows us to create characters that audiences immediately connect with emotionally. This strong on-screen presence not only elevates the storytelling but also significantly enhances the international appeal and commercial value of our titles.
Our priority is to deliver content that combines emotional depth with strong international market potential. By refining narrative structure, pacing, and perspective, supported by powerful performances, we aim to offer stories that are both creatively distinctive and highly adaptable for global audiences, without losing the emotional essence that defines OGM UNIVERSE.
Looking ahead to 2026 more broadly, what are OGM UNIVERSE’s growth objectives in international markets, and how does Latin America fit into this overall strategy?
Our main objective for 2026 is sustainable, long-term growth built on strong partnerships rather than short-term volume. We aim to deepen our presence in key territories, strengthen co-production conversations, and position OGM UNIVERSE as a premium content brand with a clear editorial voice.
Latin America plays a central role in this strategy. It is not only a strong sales territory for us, but also a market with which we share a deep emotional storytelling language. We see Latin America as a long-term strategic partner region; one where our stories are not just acquired, but truly embraced by audiences.
