TORONTO – 9 Story Media Group has bought Brown Bag Films, the animation studio behind hit children’s series Octonauts, Doc McStuffins, Bing Bunny and Henry Hugglemonster.
Terms of the transaction, which closed on Monday, were not disclosed. This is the first acquisition for 9 Story following an equity investment from media entrepreneur Neil Court and ZMC, Zelnick Media Capital last year.
Founded in 1994 by Cathal Gaffney and Darragh O'Connell, Brown Bag Films is headquartered in Dublin, with a studio in Manchester and an office in Los Angeles, and employ 170 creative and production staff. Brown Bag Films will retain its brand, with Gaffney, O’Connell and the current senior management team continuing to lead the company.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be joining forces with Brown Bag Films”, said 9 Story president and CEO Vince Commisso, in Tuesday’s announcement. “Cathal, Darragh and their team in Ireland have a well-established track record and an outstanding reputation for producing high quality animation. This transformative transaction extends our footprint into Europe, broadens our content offering to distribution partners and audiences worldwide, combines best in class CGI and 2D, and optimally positions the company for tremendous growth.”
A content creator, marketer and distributor of kids and family focused intellectual property, 9 Story Media Group represents over 1800 half hours of animated and live action programming, and has produced over 900 half hours of award-winning children’s content.
