MONTRÉAL – Cirque du Soleil and Bell Media have announced a new joint venture to develop Québec-based media content for television, film, digital, and gaming platforms. Headquartered in Montréal, Cirque du Soleil Media will develop original entertainment projects, leveraging Cirque du Soleil’s creative inventiveness and resources, consumer insight, and infrastructure, with Bell Media’s production experience, media platforms, and diverse distribution capabilities. Cirque du Soleil Media is governed by a board of directors including representatives from both Cirque du Soleil and Bell Media, and managed by a programming team with input from both partners.
Cirque du Soleil and Bell Media also confirmed that Jacques Méthé has been appointed President of the new company, to be named Cirque du Soleil Media. The announcement comes just days before the December 21 nationwide premiere of the joint venture’s new 3-D feature film Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away.
“Cirque du Soleil and Bell Media together can deliver more incredible content to more consumers than ever before,” said Kevin Crull, President, Bell Media. “We’ve got so many ideas just waiting to be brought to life.”
“With Cirque du Soleil Media, we are defining a new type of creative platform for Cirque du Soleil combined with the expertise and commitment of Bell Media,” said Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil.
“I am looking forward to get to work on developing original and innovative creative content that is inspired by the Cirque du Soleil spirit,” said Jacques Méthé, President, Cirque du Soleil Media. “This new venture is exciting and will focus on some very creative projects in the near future.”
Bell Media says its multi-million dollar investment in Cirque du Soleil Media is an extension of its strategy of investment in the development and distribution of Québec content. Cirque du Soleil’s investment also includes its current slate of development projects, as well as Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away.
The television special Etalk Presents: Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away premieres Friday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on CTV. The 30-minute special, which delves into the film and celebrates one of Canada’s world-renowned exports, features exclusive interviews with the film’s visionaries, including executive producer James Cameron (Avatar) and Cirque du Soleil Founder Guy Laliberté. An encore of the special airs Saturday, Dec. 22 at 5 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, and Thursday, Dec. 27 at 11:30 p.m. ET on E!.
