DHX Media Announces DHX Studios
Halifax, NS, 29 January 2016 – DHX Media (“DHX” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: DHXM; TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B), a global leader in kids and family entertainment content, announces the rebranding of its content-creation arm to DHX Studios – dedicated to developing and producing the highest quality, original content in both animation and live action for kids and families. DHX is also building a brand new 60,000 squareoot, state-of-the-art animation studio in Vancouver, to consolidate its West Coast production operations of approximately 700 personnel. The new facility is slated for completion in December 2016.
DHX Studios unites development, production and interactive under a veteran management team, led by Asaph Fipke as Chief Content Officer, and Ken Faier in the role of Senior Vice President and General Manager. In addition, Kirsten Newlands is Senior Vice President, Animation Production; Stephanie Betts is Vice President, Development and Current Series; Logan McPherson is Vice President, Creative – Animation Production; Phillip Stamp is Vice President, Current Production, Halifax; Tracey Jardine is Vice President, Live Action. LA-based Josh Fisher recently joined the company as Vice President, Creative Affairs, reporting to Stephanie Betts. DHX Studios will report to DHX Media’s President and Chief Operating Officer, Steven DeNure, and will drive the development and production of original animated and live action content for the Company’s world renowned library, and continue to partner with key content creators around the globe.
Steven DeNure, President and COO of DHX Media, stated: “The reorganization of this business unit cements DHX Media’s dedication to producing outstanding original content. We’re excited to launch DHX Studios under this strong management group, and to be bringing our 2D and 3D Vancouver animation teams together into one facility.”
Asaph Fipke, DHX Studios CCO, added: “At DHX, we pride ourselves on putting creativity first. The formation of DHX Studios integrates the expertise of our creative teams in Vancouver, Toronto and Halifax and allows us to push our industry’s standards for creative excellence. We’re proud to be producing the highest quality animation and live action in the industry, and continuing our work with top content creators in the kids and family business.”
Recent original DHX productions include Inspector Gadget, Slugterra, Dr. Dimensionpants, Super Noobs, Teletubbies, Make It Pop, and Degrassi: Next Class. Other series recently announced and currently in either production or development by DHX Studios include Airmageddon, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and Stephen & Lucy Hawking’s Secret Key to the Universe.
About DHX Studios
DHX Studios is the dedicated content-creation arm of DHX Media Ltd., a key player internationally in the production, distribution, broadcast and licensing of entertainment content for children and families. DHX Studios is a global leader in the creation of high-quality kids and family entertainment across platforms, genres and ages. Our diverse portfolio features award-winning original series plus productions for some of the top third-party kids brands in the world. Encompassing animation, live action and interactive, our properties includes Teletubbies, Inspector Gadget, Degrassi: Next Class, Slugterra, Make It Pop, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Super Noobs andDr. Dimensionpants. DHX Studios produces 18-20 series per year, and employs more than 900 personnel at its animation studios in Vancouver and Halifax, and its live action studio in Toronto. www.dhxmedia.com
About DHX Media Ltd.
DHX Media Ltd. (www.dhxmedia.com) is a key player internationally in the production, distribution, broadcast and licensing of entertainment content for children and families. Owner of the world’s largest independent library of kids’ and family content, at more than 11,000 half-hours, DHX Media is recognized globally for such brands as Teletubbies, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, In the Night Garden, Inspector Gadget, Make It Pop, Slugterra and the multiple award-winning Degrassi franchise. DHX Media is comprised of four main business units: DHX Studios creates high-quality original entertainment at its Vancouver and Halifax animation studios, its Toronto live-action studio, and in working with top international producers; DHX Distribution is a major provider of content to the global market; DHX Television, home to the Family suite of channels, is dedicated to delivering best-in-class programming to Canadian families; and DHX Brands specializes in creating, building and managing high-profile global entertainment brands within the children’s and young-adult markets. DHX Media also owns the full-service international licensing agency, Copyright Promotions Licensing Group Ltd. (CPLG), which represents numerous entertainment, sport and design brands. DHX Media has offices in 15 cities worldwide, including Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Munich, Amsterdam and Beijing. The Company is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol DHXM, and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols DHX.A and DHX.B.
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward looking statements with respect to DHX including the completion of production of multiple series, the business strategies of DHX, and the future operating activities and performance of DHX. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on information currently available to the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, among other things, include risk factors discussed in materials filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time including matters discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Information Form and annual Management Discussion and Analysis, which form part of the Company’s registration statement on Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.
