We today announce that we have entered into a conditional purchase agreement to acquire the leading global production studio Asacha Media Group (“Asacha”) and its impressive portfolio of award-winning labels based in France, Italy and the United Kingdom.
The deal sees us acquire the Group from Asacha’s founding partners, managers and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (“Oaktree”).
Asacha is made up of eight distinct and individually successful labels across scripted, unscripted and feature films. These labels are:
- Kabo Family (France)
- Mintee (France)
- Srab Films (France)
- Picomedia (Italy)
- Stand By Me (Italy)
- Arrow Media (United Kingdom)
- Red Planet Pictures (United Kingdom)
- Wag (United Kingdom)
The acquisition of Asacha Media Group was spearheaded by Fremantle’s Group COO and CEO Continental Europe, Andrea Scrosati, and underlines Fremantle’s strategic plan to invest in and develop premium production companies and creative talents from around the world.
The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions.
Headquartered in Paris, France, Asacha will continue to be run by Co-Founder and Group CEO Gaspard de Chavagnac who will report to Andrea Scrosati. Gaspard de Chavagnac will continue to be supported by Marina Williams, as Chief Content Officer of Asacha. The portfolio of award-winning Asacha labels in France, Italy and the UK will continue to report to Gaspard de Chavagnac.
Since its creation in 2020 by Gaspard de Chavagnac, Marc-Antoine d’Halluin and Marina Williams, Asacha has enjoyed rapid and successful growth to become one of the leading television and movie independent production Groups in Europe.
The multi award-winning slate of international IP from Asacha includes: Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise (Red Planet Pictures, BBC One); Mare Fuori and La Storia (Picomedia, Rai 1); Saint Omer (Srab Films); Cimetiere Indien (Mintee Studio, Canal Plus France); Don’t Pick up the Phone (Wag, Netflix / Paramount); Instagram’s Worst Con Artist (Wag, ITVX); See no Evil (Arrow Media, Discovery ID); Magic of Disney‘s Animal Kingdom (Arrow Media, Disney+ / Nat Geo); It’s Lunch Time (Stand By Me , Rai1); Diaries (Stand by Me, Netflix); Scènes de Ménages (Kabo) and General Men (Stand by Me, Rai 1).
Our existing businesses in the regions in which Asacha operates, includes Talkback, Thames, Naked, Label 1, Euston Films, Dancing Ledge Productions, Wildstar Films and 72 Films (UK); Fremantle France, Kwaï (France) and Fremantle Italy, The Apartment Pictures, Wildside and Lux Vide (Italy). These will be unaffected by the deal and will continue to operate and report to the current Fremantle structure as before.
Andrea Scrosati, Group COO and CEO Continental Europe, Fremantle: “Fremantle is proud to be investing and partnering with the very best international creative talent. Gaspard de Chavagnac, Marina Williams, and Marc-Antoine d’Halluin and the incredible producers and talents that have created Asacha certainly fall into this category, and we are delighted they have chosen to join the Fremantle family. They have built an impressive portfolio of market-leading labels, each of which perfectly complements our existing businesses in each of their markets. This strategic deal underlines both companies’ ambitious growth targets, and we look forward to collaborating with their immensely talented creatives across the group.”
Gaspard de Chavagnac, Co-Founder and Group CEO, Asacha Media Group: “I am thrilled about this deal with Fremantle, one of the world’s leading studios for television and movie production. Fremantle will bring all its expertise and resources in premium content development and distribution, to accelerate the growth of our fantastic creative labels. I am very excited to pursue this exciting journey with Andrea Scrosati and all the Fremantle team. I also want to thank Oaktree for their support in our growth so far.”
Marina Williams, Co-Founder and Chief Content Officer, Asacha Media Group: “In only four years, we have built Asacha to be one of Europe’s leaders in scripted and unscripted content production with a unique portfolio of global IP. I am confident that by being part of Fremantle, we will continue on the same great trajectory.”
Marc-Antoine d’Halluin, Co-Founder and Asacha’s Vice Chairman: “We are very proud of what we have achieved with Asacha, a unique partnership of great scripted and unscripted producers and independent minds. We know Fremantle will respect these rare qualities and is the perfect home to continue Asacha’s successful journey.”
Mario Adario, Asacha’s Chairman and Managing Director at Oaktree Capital Management: “In 2020, Oaktree launched, together with the management team, the Asacha Media Group platform with the acquisition of three production companies in France and Italy. In less than four years, Asacha has become a leader in the media industry under the stewardship of an exceptional team. We believe Fremantle is the right partner for the next chapter of Asacha’s growth.”
The acquisition of Asacha Media Group follows a number of strategic investments made by Fremantle in recent years, including acclaimed Irish production company Element Pictures (Normal People, Poor Things), UK’s Dancing Ledge Productions (The Responder, Big Mood), scripted Italian production company Lux Vide (Devils, Leonardo), international development and production company Fabel (Bosch), Australian-American television production company Eureka Productions (Parental Guidance, Finding Magic Mike),), 72 Films (All or Nothing: Arsenal, 9/11: One Day in America), Wildstar Films (America The Beautiful, Epic Adventures with Bertie Gregory) and Silvio Productions (Shadow of Truth) and Belgium-based A Team Productions (Baghdad Messi, Land of the Heroes).
Advising for Asacha Media Group and Oaktree has been Lazard and Mayer Brown, and for Fremantle has been CMS.
