Fremantle has completed its acquisition of global production studio Asacha Media Group, the company confirmed today.
Fremantle acquired the group from founding partners, managers and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management
Fremantle’s group COO and CEO for continental Europe Andrea Scrosati spearheaded the acquisition. Asacha co-founder and group CEO Gaspard de Chavagnac will continue to run the company, reporting to Scrosati. Marina Williams will continue in her role as chief content officer.
Asacha boasts a portfolio of eight labels across France, Italy and the U.K: Kabo Family, Mintee, Srab Films, Picomedia, Stand By Me, Arrow Media, Red Planet Pictures and Wag. They will continue to report to de Chavagnac.
Fremantle’s existing European businssess – including Talkback, 72 Films, Kwaï and Lux Vide – will not be affected by the acquisition. Those companies will continue in their previous reporting structure.
Lazard, Mayer Brown, Duroc partners and and Arsene advised Asacha Media Group and Oaktree. CMS advised Fremantle.
“We are pleased to welcome Asacha and its incredible labels, producers and creative talent, under Gaspard de Chavagnac to the Fremantle family,” said Scrosati. “With the completion of the acquisition, we look forward to working closely with Gaspard, Marina and all of the label MD’s and talent to achieve bigger things together within our new group.”
De Chavagnac said: “I am thrilled about this deal with Fremantle which is opening a new phase of Asacha’s journey as part of one of the leading production and distribution groups in the world. We – all Asacha talents and myself – are very excited to start working closely with Andrea Scrosati and all the Fremantle team to grow our labels and IPs.”
