9 Story Media Group (9 Story) acquired animation studio Brown Bag Films on August 17, 2015. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
This transformative transaction extends 9 Story’s footprint into Europe, broadens their content offering to distribution partners and audiences worldwide, combines best in class CGI and 2D, and optimally positions the company for growth.
9 Story is a leading content creator, marketer and distributor of kids and family-focused intellectual property such as Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood, Wild Kratts, Numb Chucks, Arthur and Peg + Cat. With one of North America’s largest animation studios, 9 Story employs over 250 creative and production staff and is owned by senior management, Zelnick Media Capital and media entrepreneur Neil Court.
With headquarters in Dublin, a studio in Manchester and an office in Los Angeles, Brown Bag Films employs 170 creative and production staff and is known for producing hit animated children’s series including Octonauts, Doc McStuffins, Bing Bunny and Henry Hugglemonster. Brown Bag Films will retain its brand.
Goodmans LLP represented 9 Story with a team that included Jonathan Feldman, Chat Ortved, Katelyn Rancourt, Rachel Ouellette, Resa Jacob and Emily Weizel (corporate/M&A), Lisa Mantello and Dan Dedic (finance), Mitch Sherman (tax), David Zitzerman (entertainment/media). Mason Hayes & Curran acted as Irish counsel to 9 Story with a team that included Martin Kelleher and Angela Cleary (corporate/M&A), Maura Dineen (tax) and Jenny Ahern and Andrew Glynn (finance).
A&L Goodbody acted as counsel to Brown Bag Films with a team that included Sheena Doggett and Celine D’Arcy (corporate/M&A). Torys LLP assisted lead counsel to Brown Bag Films on Canadian aspects with a team that included Sharon Geraghty, Laurie Duke and Braden Jebson (corporate/M&A).