Companies worked together on hit preschool series ‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood’ and ‘Creative Galaxy.’
TORONTO -- 9 Story Media Group has acquired Out of the Blue Enterprises, a leader in children’s media across content creation, TV production, digital applications and consumer products.
Founded in 2005 by Blue’s Clues co-creator Angela Santomero and former Nickelodeon executive Samantha Freeman, Out of the Blue is best known for the Emmy-nominated literacy series Super WHY; the Mister Rogers Neighborhood-inspired Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood; and the interactive art adventure program Creative Galaxy for Amazon Studios.
Out of the Blue also owns the legacy toy brand Colorforms, named by Time magazine as one of the 100 greatest toys of all-time, and the company is in production on a new animated series based on the classic brand. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Out of the Blue, based in New York City, will become a wholly owned subsidiary of 9 Story Media Group with Managing Director Samantha Freeman staying on to lead the company and Co-Founder Angela Santomero continuing to serve as creator and executive producer.
9 Story and Out of the Blue have previously worked together on the hit animated series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, which 9 Story produces and distributes internationally with The Fred Rogers Company in association with Out of the Blue. The two companies have also worked together on Creative Galaxy for Amazon Studios, which Out of the Blue produces and 9 Story is the animation partner. Both series are in production on new seasons.
“Having worked with Angela and Samantha on Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Creative Galaxy, we have tremendous respect for their creative capabilities,” says Vince Commisso, president & CEO of 9 Story Media Group. “Out of the Blue has a proven track record in developing unique and beloved brands for a preschool audience. Joining forces broadens our development capabilities, increases our consumer products reach and extends our presence in the U.S. We look forward to working with the entire Out of the Blue team and are absolutely thrilled to welcome them into the 9 Story Media Group family.”
“We have enjoyed working closely with 9 Story over the past decade, producing uniquely engaging entertainment offerings for preschoolers that also serve as valuable resources for parents, caregivers and teachers,” says Santomero.
“We are excited to join 9 Story’s expanding media platform and look forward to creating, producing and licensing current and new preschool properties together,” says Freeman.
Source: 9 Story Media Group
Tom McLean has been writing for years about animation from a secret base in Los Angeles.
