The Weinstein Company Goes Animated

The Weinstein Company, The Gotham Group, and the Chungcheongnam-do government of South Korea announced today that they have joined forces as part of an extensive strategic relationship to produce and distribute animated feature films.  The announcement was made jointly today by The Weinstein Company co-chairmen Bob and Harvey Weinstein, The Gotham Group’s CEO/Founder Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Chungcheongnam-do Governor Lee, Wan-gu. The parties were brought together, and the deal was structured by, Jon Vein on behalf of The Gotham Group, and Mariel Clemensen of Clemensen Capital. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Weinstein Company has also created a strategic alliance and entered into a multi-year first look deal with The Gotham Group, the premier management firm representing animation and family entertainment talent and content. 

The animation will be co-produced in the Chungcheongnam-do Province of South Korea, including at the state-of-the-art animation facilities at The Media Center of Chungcheongnam-do. The projects produced by the venture will be based on work from The Gotham Group's clients in addition to outside sources. The Weinstein Company, the Media Center of Chungcheongnam-do, and The Gotham Group will serve as producers on all films in the venture. The titles selected for theatrical distribution will be released by The Weinstein Company and all home video products will be distributed by Genius Products, Inc. (OTCBB: GNPI).

“This is an innovative and exciting deal to be a part of and we are glad to be working with some of the best animators and animation companies in the business,” said The Weinstein Company Co-Chairmen Harvey and Bob Weinstein. “The beauty of animated film is that it speaks to all audiences around the world and transcends language, age and cultural barriers.”

“We're very excited to have the opportunity to work with great storytellers, and to be in business with powerful and innovative partners,” said The Gotham Group CEO Ellen Goldsmith-Vein. “Animated family fare has proven to be a driving force in the entertainment business and we're committed to telling great stories for the entire family.”  

Hee Sup Kim, Chief Manager of Media Center of Chungcheongnam-do, said: “ Korea and its animation production companies have been at the center of the television animation business for years but have outsourced jobs only to this point. Now we want to extend further to the animated theatrical film business by being co-producer with prominent partners in the U.S. Ensuring our access to the best content and talent from the East and West, as well as the best marketing and distribution will provide a solid foundation to make Chungcheongnam-do’s animation studios a world class source of animated content.”

“We believe this deal is a milestone for Korean animation studios,” said Clemensen Capital CEO Mariel Clemensen. “We are thrilled to extend our financial expertise to support cross-border feature animation through this partnership with The Gotham Group, The Weinstein Company, and the Chungcheongnam-do government.”