August Media Acquires Red Kite Animation

Singapore based media company August Media Holdings announced today that it has acquired Edinburgh based children’s content producer Red Kite Animation.

Press Release from August Media Holdings

Singapore/ London, September 14th, 2010 – Singapore based media company August Media Holdings announced today that it has acquired Edinburgh based children’s content producer Red Kite Animation.

Founded by industry veteran Jyotirmoy Saha (Moy), August Media was formed as an integrated media company to produce, finance and distribute live action, animation and online content. As part of its business strategy, August Media has been actively seeking inorganic growth opportunities through acquisition of existing successful businesses that give it access to different markets and territories. The acquisition of Red Kite Animation is the first major step towards this for August Media.

Commenting on the acquisition Jyotirmoy Saha CEO of August Media said, “Red Kite is a great acquisition not only for its development slate but also for the value it brings in its fabulous creative and production teams. For August Media this was a golden opportunity as it gives us a very quick and solid jumpstart into the kids’ animated content business.”

Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer, Media Development Authority added, "August Media’s acquisition of Red Kite testifies to the coming-of-age of our local animation industry. In moving up the value chain August Media is positioned as a multi-platform demand aggregator that will bring more projects into the region. MDA welcomes this development since it will mean more opportunities for Singapore companies looking to break into international territories with August Media as the bridge. We look forward to more such developments from Singapore’s media businesses.”

Red Kite was founded more than a decade ago by highly experienced children’s producer Ken Anderson. Red Kite’s rich production portfolio features many animated short films and children’s television series including Playhouse Disney Channel’s The Secret World of Benjamin Bear, and the more recent BBC and Channel 9 (Australia) hit Dennis and Gnasher. Red Kite has a history of producing award winning shows including a BAFTA nomination and British Animation Award for 64 Zoo Lane, The Imp winner of Best Mobile Short, Super Shorts 2006 and MIPCOM Junior 2006 Licensing Challenge and Marvo the Wonder Chicken nominated for best TV series at Annecy and Best TV Short at Cartoon's on the Bay.

Under the terms of the deal Red Kite Animation will operate as a subsidiary of August Media with Ken Anderson remaining as Creative Director. In addition he will also take a seat on August Media’s board of directors and serve as Executive Director for August Media’s other business interests.

Ken Anderson, Creative Director & CEO of Red Kite Animation, added “Red Kite’s consolidation into August Media will provide great opportunities for the company with new access to capital, and entry into the fast growing Asian market and proximity to state of the art production studios. I am delighted to be working with Jyotirmoy Saha and excited about the future”.

The company is planning a substantial presence at MIPCOM and is expected to announce a host of deals that engage western animation companies and Singaporean producers.

Red Kite AnimationFounded in 1997, Red Kite is now a part of the Singapore based August Media Holdings group. Over the years the company has grown and developed to become an established international producer of children's content. Collective credits include 64 Zoo Lane (BAFTA nominee), Pablo the Little Red Fox (BAFTA winner 2000) and the Wark Clements co-production, Abercromby. The company, its founders and partners have been honoured with many awards including BAFTAs, Emmys, CableAces, Pulcinellas, Grammys and also an Academy Award.

The company has been active in the global media scene developing and producing a number of highly successful children’s animated programmes for television. Some of Red Kite’s successes include Wilf the Witch’s Dog, The Secret World of Benjamin Bear and the 65 episode series The Imp. Red Kite has recently completed production of Dennis & Gnasher (CBBC) and Marvo the Wonder Chicken (Disney XD).

Together with numerous short films and animated series, some of the company’s properties have been on air on world renowned children’s networks. BBC, France TV, ZDF, Canal+, TV Catalunya, Disney XD, Teletoon, Cartoon Network, the Hub, Channel 9 (Australia), Australian Broadcast Corporation are just some of the broadcasters that have played Red Kite’s programmes to top ratings. Red Kite also enjoys a development portfolio that targets children of all age groups and a wide variety of animated programming genres.

About Jyotirmoy Saha (Moy)Jyotirmoy Saha (Moy) is the founder and CEO of August Media Holdings – a Singapore based media company. August Media’s mandate is to create an integrated media company producing, financing and distributing live action, animated and online content. Moy comes with a 16 year background in production of all forms of traditional and digital media and has a wealth of experience in setting up, developing and leading high growth in multiple media businesses. Along the way his name has been credited in more than 40 media titles.

Prior to August Media Moy served as Co-CEO of Singapore based Sparky Animation helping the company breakout of a fledgling start up and during his time there its revenues and business grew more than tenfold. Sparky has already hit a home run in the short two years since it launched with a highly successful co-production with the Jim Henson Company, delivering Dinosaur Train – the number one rated show for pre-school children in the USA.

Prior to Sparky, as Sr. Vice President at Asian media giant UTV Moy started up and grew the company’s animation business to become a prolific animated content producer. During his tenure at UTV he set up and ran a CG studio employing more than 250 people overseeing the production of over 750 hours of animation that have been broadcast or sold in more than 40 countries around the world. As Studio Executive Producer, he won the ‘Best Animated Feature’ Award at the FICCI Frames Awards in India for Kong Return to the Jungle.

Previous to UTV Moy set up and served as the CTO and Director of Business Development for Sharkstream, Singapore – Asia’s pioneering broadband video content delivery system. He set up a cutting edge DVD quality IP video delivery system that was noted as one of the world’s first few VOD services. Prior to Sharkstream, Moy was involved in live action TV content production in Malaysia and Singapore delivering content to some of the world’s leading broadcasters.

Moy has a MBA degree with a specialization in Marketing and also a Masters in Microprocessors and Microcomputer Systems.