Entertainment content studio Entertainment One (eOne) has acquired the remaining stake in Sierra/Affinity, a Beverly Hills, California-based film finance, production and foreign sales business.
No financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which builds on eOne’s initial investment in 2015. As a result, Sierra/Affinity’s Nick Meyer and Marc Schaberg have joined the company to help lead film operations.
Based in Toronto, eOne is backed by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB). CPPIB acquired a minority interest in 2015 from Marwyn Investment Management for $290 million.
PRESS RELEASE
Entertainment One’s Mark Gordon and Steve Bertram Name New Film Leadership with the Appointment of Nick Meyer to Oversee Film Content Globally
Sierra/Affinity will continue to operate independently and represent films from partners across the industry under Meyer along with Sierra/Affinity’s Marc Schaberg and Jonathan Kier
Los Angeles – July 2, 2018 – Furthering the strategy to increase its focus on premium content, Entertainment One (eOne) today announced that Nick Meyer and Marc Schaberg have joined the Company as President, Film and EVP, Film and Global Operations, respectively. Darren Throop, eOne’s President and CEO also announced that the Company has acquired the remaining stake in Meyer and Schaberg’s Sierra Pictures, building on its initial investment from 2015.
“Welcoming Sierra to eOne is an important next step in our strategy to increase our direct involvement and ownership in content. Together, we will continue to build strong relationships with high-profile creative talent domestically and abroad,” said Throop.
In his new role, Meyer will lead all film content across eOne’s global content platform. Meyer will also continue to serve as CEO of the eOne wholly-owned Sierra/Affinity, with Marc Schaberg continuing as COO, Sierra/Affinity in addition to his newly added responsibilities at eOne. Jonathan Kier will take on an expanded role as President, International Sales and Distribution, Sierra/Affinity.
The appointment of Meyer, and the new structure which brings Meyer’s team to eOne, builds on the Company’s strategy to create a cohesive, future-facing content creation group, integrating what was formerly known as The Mark Gordon Company and Sierra Pictures into eOne. This move enhances eOne’s competitive position in the rapidly evolving film landscape.
“We’ve had a very successful partnership with Nick, Marc and the Sierra team for years, and this move is a natural progression as we continue to increase our efforts to source and produce films with universal appeal. They have extraordinary creative instincts and a unique understanding of the value of content in the global marketplace. Their industry relationships, passion for the business, and entrepreneurial spirit are incredible assets for eOne. We are thrilled to welcome the Sierra team, and we couldn’t be more excited to work with Nick as he shepherds our film business into the future,” said Mark Gordon, eOne’s President and Chief Content Officer of Film, Television and Digital & Steve Bertram, eOne’s President, Film, Television & Digital.
“Over the last nine years, we have built Sierra/Affinity into a preeminent production and international sales company, and have enjoyed a very productive relationship with eOne. Today marks another growth chapter for the company as we join forces with a vibrant global player with scale, resources and ambitions that will allow us to touch film content in an even more profound manner. I look forward to working closely with Darren, Mark, Steve and the entire eOne team to grow this platform into the best destination for talent and content creators. As importantly, I am extremely appreciative to my team at Sierra, as well as the producers, financiers, filmmakers and artists who have trusted us to represent their work on the global stage,” added Meyer.
Sierra Pictures bolsters eOne’s capabilities in producing and acquiring premium films and cultivating successful relationships with leading industry talent and creatives. Since partnering with eOne, Sierra Pictures has leveraged the company’s global production and financing resources to support their expanded production slate with titles such as ATOMIC BLONDE; HOW IT ENDS, which premieres on Netflix this July 13th; HAUNT, from the writers of A QUIET PLACE and Eli Roth, which is in post-production; and POMS, starring Diane Keaton and Jacki Weaver, which is currently in pre-production.
Sierra/Affinity, the international sales company which represented award-winning and globally successful titles including I, Tonya, Manchester By The Sea, Whiplash, HELL OR HIGH WATER and NIGHTCRAWLER, as well as the upcoming release ben iS back starring Julia Roberts, will continue to represent films from third party producers.
Since founding Sierra/Affinity in 2009, Meyer has overseen the company’s own productions, as well as a robust practice representing sales of third-party productions at all budget levels with some of the biggest filmmakers and talent in the industry. An industry veteran with over two decades of experience, Meyer served as President of Paramount Vantage through December of 2008, joining Paramount in 2006 as Co-President of Vantage. Previously, Meyer served as President of International for Lionsgate.
Meyer reports to Gordon and Bertram.
ABOUT ENTERTAINMENT ONE
Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE:ETO) is a global independent studio that specialises in the development, acquisition, production, financing, distribution and sales of entertainment content. The Company’s diversified expertise spans across film, television and music production and sales, family programming, merchandising and licensing, and digital content. Through its global reach and expansive scale, powered by deep local market knowledge, the Company delivers the best content to the world.
Entertainment One’s robust network includes newly-launched MAKEREADY with Brad Weston, content creation venture Amblin Partners with Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Studios, Participant Media, and Reliance Entertainment; leading feature film production and global sales company Sierra Pictures; unscripted television production company Renegade 83; world-class music labels Dualtone Music Group and Last Gang; and award-winning digital agency Secret Location.
The Company’s rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 80,000 hours of film and television content and approximately 40,000 music tracks.
For more information:
Joy Phillips
Rubenstein / Entertainment One
jphillips@rubenstein.com
424-274-4151
Paul Pflug
PCG / Entertainment One
paul@pcommgroup.com
323-658-1555
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