German brand management and media company m4e AG will take a more controlling role in the production, licensing and marketing of international TV series and brand Mia and Me, created by Gerhard Hahn. Terms have been reached with co-production partner Rainbow S.r.l. for m4e’s acquisition of 45% of the international rights for the property, taking effect retroactively from January 1, 2016.
The agreement excludes Italy, where Rainbow will maintain 100% ownership of rights to the popular show. In the course of the acquisition, Hahn Film AG will take over the last 5% of Rainbow’s holding. The remaining 50% of the international rights to Mia and Me will be unaffected, staying in the control of Hahn & m4e Productions GmbH — a 50/50 joint venture of Gerhard Hahn/Hahn Film AG and m4e AG. Thus, m4e has nearly tripled its share in the brand through this deal, financed by a bank loan.
“It has been under discussion with Rainbow for months to acquire the co‐production shares and we are very happy now, that this project came to a successful conclusion. For m4e this a milestone in the company’s development. With now almost 100 percent of the shares, which we are holding together with Gerd Hahn/Hahn Film AG, we are able to market the brand even more targeted and to further expand it internationally,” said m4e CEO Hans Ulrich Stoef. “We also want to express our appreciation to the management and the whole team of Rainbow for the good and successful cooperation over the last years. And that they made the repurchase of the Mia and Me rights possible.”
