TORONTO – Blue Ant Media has acquired Toronto-based production company Saloon Media as it continues to
grow its original content business in the Canadian and U.S. markets. Financial terms of the deal were not
disclosed.
Saloon Media’s CEO Michael Kot, executive producers Steve Gamester and Paul Kilback, as well as head of production Betty Orr will all join the Blue Ant Media global production unit, which also includes NHNZ (New Zealand), Beach House Pictures (Singapore), Antenna Pictures (London), Blue Ant Digital Studios (Los Angeles), Look Mom! Productions (Toronto) and Northern Pictures (Sydney).
“Blue Ant Media is committed to growing its content business in both Canada and the United States. The acquisition of Saloon Media is a key step in the execution of this strategy, as their award-winning factual content and notable creative talent fit perfectly within our content growth strategy in North America,” said Sam Sniderman, Blue Ant Media’s EVP global production, in the news release. “We have long admired Michael Kot, and his team, for the quality and global reach of their programming and we are thrilled to have them as colleagues.”
Launched in 2013, Saloon Media is a factual television and digital content producer. Its recent credits include the CSA-nominated series Mummies Alive for History (Canada), Smithsonian Channel (U.S.) and Yesterday (UK); the 10-part broadcast and web series Tornado Hunters for CMT; the long running returning series See No Evil, co-produced with the UK's Arrow Media for Discovery ID US; the eight-part series Hunting Nazi Treasure for History (Canada), American Heroes Channel (U.S.) and More4 (UK); and international service work for several series and specials including The Kennedys, a six-part CNN mini-series in partnership with Raw TV in the UK.
“Saloon’s ambition to reach a wider audience and connect with new global business partners dovetails perfectly with Blue Ant Media’s push to expand content production for world markets”, added Saloon Media CEO Michael Kot. “We’re extremely excited to be part of Blue Ant’s growing North American team, and on a personal note, I look forward to working once again with Michael MacMillan to make great programs.”
In other company news, Blue Ant Media bolstered its North American production team with new senior executive appointments. Effective immediately, Laura Michalchyshyn, based in New York, has signed on as an original programming consultant/producer; Julie Chang has been named VP, international co-productions; and Dan Lubetkin has been promoted to SVP, U.S. production & development.
In addition, global production EVP Sam Sniderman has relocated to Los Angeles to further bolster the global production unit’s profile in the U.S. market.
