6th Jan 2015 07:00
Date: 6 January 2015On behalf of: Entertainment One Ltd. ("the Company", "eOne", "Entertainment One" or
"the Group")
Embargoed until: 0700 hours
Acquisition of stake in The Mark Gordon Company
Entertainment One to acquire 51% stake in The Mark Gordon Company to create a new television and film studio joint venture
Entertainment One Ltd. today announces that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a 51% stake in The Mark Gordon Company ("MGC") creating an independent studio joint venture that will produce and finance premium television and film content for the major US networks and international distribution. The deal includes the rights owned by MGC to its existing television and film library as well as its current and future production pipeline. eOne will distribute new content created by the joint venture, subject to existing contractual commitments.
The partnership unites one of the world's most successful television and film producers with eOne's extensive international distribution network to create a leading television and film production company with global reach. Under the terms of the agreement, eOne will acquire 51% of MGC from The Mark Gordon Revocable Trust for consideration of US$132.6 million, comprising US$127.5 million in cash and US$5.1 million in eOne shares (based on a 30-day volume weighted average share price) payable on completion of the deal, with the opportunity to acquire the remaining 49% after an initial seven-year term.
Mark Gordon, who founded MGC in 1987, is an award-winning film and television producer with an outstanding track record of hits, including high quality television shows Grey's Anatomy (228 episodes), Criminal Minds (221 episodes) and Ray Donovan (36 episodes). MGC has also produced critically-acclaimed box office successes, including Speed, 2012, The Day after Tomorrow, Saving Private Ryan, The Patriot and Source Code. Mark Gordon brings to the venture deep active relationships with leading creative talent and all the major US studios and networks.
The transaction will be financed through a US$175 million extension to the Company's existing banking facility and is expected to be earnings enhancing for the Group in the first full year of the investment. In the year ended 31 December 2013, MGC reported net income of US$13.2 million, adjusted EBITDA of US$30.0 million and gross assets of US$3.4 million. As part of the joint venture agreement, Mark Gordon has entered into a new long term employment agreement with MGC.
Darren Throop, President and Chief Executive Officer of Entertainment One said:
"We are delighted to enter into this partnership with Mark and his team. Mark brings a wealth of experience and talent to the table. The Mark Gordon Company creates first-class content that has been entertaining audiences around the world for many years and is the first significant acquisition for eOne since the launch of our new strategy to partner with world leading creative talent to bring the best content to the world. The business will continue to operate as it does today and we are delighted to welcome MGC into the wider eOne family."
Mark Gordon, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Mark Gordon Company said:
"This is a great development for our business. There is a voracious appetite for premium original content worldwide. In order to realise the true value of our content, retention of rights ownership and control of international distribution are absolute musts. In eOne, we have found a partner that focuses on the creative, is deeply immersed in the international marketplace and has great ambitions in the US that will keep our business booming over the next many years. We're building an alternative to the traditional studio way."
Enquiries:
| ||
Redleaf PR | Emma Kane/ Rebecca Sanders-Hewett
| +44(0)20 7382 4730 |
Entertainment One Ltd. | Giles Willits/Patrick Yau
| +44(0)20 3714 7931 |
J.P. Morgan Cazenove | Hugo Baring/Virginia Khoo
| +44(0)20 7742 4000 |
Cenkos Securities plc | Stephen Keys
| +44(0)20 7397 8926 |
J.P. Morgan Securities plc is acting as corporate broker to the Company and no one else and will not be responsible to any other person for providing the protections afforded to clients of J.P. Morgan in connection with any matter referred to herein.
Notes to Editors:
About Entertainment One
Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE:ETO) is a leading international entertainment company that specialises in the acquisition, production and distribution of film and television content. The Company's comprehensive network extends around the globe including Canada, the US, the UK, Ireland, Spain, Benelux, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South Korea.
The Company provides extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production, family programming and merchandising and licensing. Its current rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 35,000 film and television titles, 2,800 hours of television programming and 45,000 music tracks.
Further information is available at www.entertainmentone.com or email Redleaf PR at [email protected].
About The Mark Gordon Company
The Mark Gordon Company is currently in production on several television series including "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC), "Criminal Minds" (CBS) and their most recent project "Benched," a courtroom comedy staring Eliza Coupe and Jay Harrington is currently airing on USA network. Additionally, the company is set to begin production on season 3 of the hit Showtime drama "Ray Donovan" starring Liev Shreiber in early 2015. Past television credits include "Private Practice" (ABC), "Army Wives" (Lifetime) and "Reaper" (CW). Forthcoming projects from the company's film division include the UNTITLED STEVE JOBS BIOPIC written by Aaron Sorkin with Danny Boyle attached to direct and ARMS AND THE DUDES with Todd Phillips directing and starring Jonah Hill. Past film credits include SOURCE CODE, 2012, and THE MESSENGER. The company is helmed by Mark Gordon who has produced more than 75 motion picture and television projects. Gordon is a five-time Emmy Award nominee with two wins and has been nominated for multiple Golden Globe Awards earning two wins. He garnered Academy Award and BAFTA nominations and won a Golden Globe for Best Picture as producer of SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. Gordon's past film credits include THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW, THE PATRIOT, TALK TO ME, THE PAINTED VEIL, THE HOAX, WONDER BOYS and SPEED.
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