Studio 100 N.V., a Belgian corporation headquartered in Schelle, has acquired a 68% majority interest in German brand management and media company m4e AG. The stake was secured through an agreement with m4e founding and principal shareholders Hans Ulrich Stoef, Michael Büttner, Oliver Jansen and Cees Wessels (through his associated companies TSC Holdings B.V. and WMG Holding B.V.) to sell their shares to Studio 100 N.V.
“Together we are planning a strategic cooperation in the area of kids and family entertainment,“ commented Hans Bourlon, CEO of Studio 100. “We are very excited about taking the next step to our internationalization. The synergies that are created by this acquisition will pay off in the years ahead.”
This planned union of the entities creates one of the leading kids and family entertainment and content companies in Europe. Completion of the transaction is still subject to several suspensive conditions, including approval by the German Federal Cartel Office.
The strategic partnership will enable m4e to continue investing in new content and its worldwide exploitation. The combination of Studio 100 and m4e will strengthen both their local and international distribution power in the face of growing international competition.
“We are very happy about the agreement with Studio 100 and we are fully convinced that this is the right move for the future strategic orientation of m4e,” said Hans Ulrich Stoef, who will continue to act as CEO of m4e AG. “The international markets are in a huge upheaval and consolidation phase on every level, taking into account the ongoing digitalization amongst others. Personally, I find the new constellation extremely motivating and exciting and I am looking very much forward to working with Studio 100.”
