Following the acquisition of Backflip Studios which led to the creation of G. I. Joe: Strike, Hasbro has acquired another major company. This time it’s from the field of Animation.
Via a press release sent to us, Hasbro has stated that they now own Boulder Media Animation Studio who created several hit series including Danger Mouse and The Amazing World of Gumball.
“At Hasbro, we’re building our brands through storytelling, and today, we’re telling richer stories across more platforms than ever before,” said Brian Goldner, Hasbro’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are also reinventing traditional modalities of animation production, both creatively and financially. With Boulder, we will deliver the highest quality animation that will engage our audiences with deep storytelling and great characters in a very cost-efficient manner.”
What’s so special about the press release is the fact that after many years the word “G. I. Joe” is back on the “About Hasbro”section. This is the first time the name appeared prominently after the hype of G. I. Joe: Retaliation and G. I. Joe: Renegades.
We don’t know what this means for the future, but now that there is a new G. I. Joe Animated Series down the line, this could be it.
Check out the full press release, after the jump.
Hasbro Acquires Boulder Media Animation Studio
Hasbro Expands TV and Feature Film Capabilities with Purchase of Irish Animation Studio
PAWTUCKET, R.I.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) today announced that it has acquired Boulder Media, a multi-award winning Irish animation company based in Dublin. Boulder has produced a variety of award-winning series for Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Disney and BBC. As a wholly-owned subsidiary, Boulder will continue to produce animated series on behalf of third-party clients, in addition to producing animation projects for Hasbro’s best-known brands. Terms of the transaction, which closed on July 13, 2016, were not disclosed.
“At Hasbro, we’re building our brands through storytelling, and today, we’re telling richer stories across more platforms than ever before,” said Brian Goldner, Hasbro’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are also reinventing traditional modalities of animation production, both creatively and financially. With Boulder, we will deliver the highest quality animation that will engage our audiences with deep storytelling and great characters in a very cost-efficient manner.”
Founded in 2000 by Robert Cullen, Boulder is one of the fastest growing animation studios in Ireland with approximately 150 full-time employees. Boulder will retain its brand and report into Stephen Davis who leads Hasbro’s entertainment and consumer products licensing division. In February 2016, Hasbro was ranked No. 3 on Fast Company’s list of Most Innovative Companies in Hollywood.
“As one of the largest independent studios producing animation in Hollywood, the time is right for Hasbro to acquire its own animation studio, allowing us to expand our animation and storytelling capabilities even further,” said Stephen Davis, Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer, Hasbro. “In Boulder, we have found one of the most progressive, innovative and creative teams in the business. We are thrilled to partner with Rob Cullen, Pete Lewis, Jenni MacNeaney and the entire Boulder team as we significantly enhance the execution of our story-led Brand Blueprint strategy.”
“Boulder and Hasbro have ambitious plans for growth, and working together, we will substantially expand our team and our business,” said Robert Cullen, Creative Director, Boulder. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to bring to life the Hasbro stories and characters that mean so much to our team, and join a company that’s emerging as an entertainment powerhouse.”
About Hasbro
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global company committed to Creating the World’s Best Play Experiences by leveraging its beloved brands, including LITTLEST PET SHOP, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, MONOPOLY, MY LITTLE PONY, NERF, PLAY-DOH and TRANSFORMERS, and premier partner brands. From toys and games, television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and consumer product licensing, Hasbro fulfills the fundamental need for play and connection with children and families around the world. The Company’s Hasbro Studios and its film label, Allspark Pictures, create entertainment brand-driven storytelling across mediums, including television, film, digital and more. Through the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families. Learn more at www.hasbro.com, and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro & @HasbroNews) and Instagram (@Hasbro).
About Hasbro Studios and Allspark Pictures
Hasbro Studios is responsible for entertainment, brand-driven storytelling for Hasbro across television, commercial productions and short-form content. It develops, produces and distributes content based on Hasbro’s world class brands, including TRANSFORMERS, MY LITTLE PONY, and LITTLEST PET SHOP. Many of its series air on Discovery Family Channel and on networks and digital platforms in more than 190 territories globally. Since its formation in 2009, the studio has received ten Daytime Emmy wins.
On the film side through its film label Allspark Pictures, the Company has developed and produced a number of features based on Hasbro’s brands. Films in development or planned for release include OUIJA 2 (Universal), MY LITTLE PONY: THE MOVIE (Lionsgate), MAGIC: THE GATHERING (21st Century Fox), PLAY-DOH (21st Century Fox), TRANSFORMERS 5, 6 and 7 (Paramount) and the Cinematic Universe (Paramount) which includes GI JOE, MICRONAUTS, M.A.S.K, ROM and VISIONARIES.
About Boulder Media
Boulder Media is a multi-award winning Irish animation company based in Dublin. One
Zartan1011 says
Toy Maker Hasbro Just Bought An Animation Studio - Fortune
Pretty interesting article about Hasbro recently acquiring Boulder Media (an Animation Studio)
I hope this means a new Joe Cartoon
sbartek1974 says
Pretty interesting article about Hasbro recently acquiring Boulder Media (an Animation Studio)
I hope this means a new Joe Cartoon
ranquet says
YES!!!!!!!!
Now who can do the best 'Chris Latta'?
SilverOptimus says
What's so special about the press release is the fact that after many years the word "G. I. Joe" is back on the "About Hasbro"section. This is the first time the name appeared prominently after the hype of G. I. Joe: Retaliation and G. I. Joe: Renegades.
We don't know what this means for the future, but now that there is a new G. I. Joe Animated Series down the line, this could be it.
RoadPigRules says
I want to see Joe and He-Man receive a cartoon similar in quality to the new Voltron show. Mattel has no idea how to develop anything though, but Hasbro is adept at taking risks and I Love them for it. Say what you want about them, but Hasbro has yearly Joe product at retail, allows another company to produce figures in the same scale and style they themselves can't get to, and are developing new media for Joe. I think it's pretty impressive considering Joe is not doing so hot in the mainstream.
Naptime says
Looking at some of the shows Boulder produces, this could be a good thing. Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends and Gumball are both pretty good overall, but there are some of the techniques that are really eye catching. None of the stuff they do is particularly realistic in style, so I am curious how this could turn out.
Edit-I read a bit deeper into the article. With Hasbro's attitude about it I get the feeling that the success of the show will be based primarily on toy sales, kinda like Young Justice and the Thundercats reboot (both of which were amazing but didn't push enough product and got canned). Unlike those that had to fill numerous pockets, this will really consolidate the "bottom line", which may give the show a fighting chance depending on its venue.
r3v3n63 says
Edit-I read a bit deeper into the article. With Hasbro's attitude about it I get the feeling that the success of the show will be based primarily on toy sales, kinda like Young Justice and the Thundercats reboot (both of which were amazing but didn't push enough product and got canned). Unlike those that had to fill numerous pockets, this will really consolidate the "bottom line", which may give the show a fighting chance depending on its venue.
So I'm just going to do my best not to demand or expect anything specific and hopefully I will be pleasantly surprised and enjoy it for what it is.
Loose Cannon says
I think most importantly it needs to be able to stand on its own. While Almost all cartoons have toys and merchandise associated with it. When I think of cartoons like, Samurai Jack, the amazing world of Gumball, Phineas and Ferb, I don't associate them with toys. They are good cartoons with a following, but you can probably get toys, ballons, birthday cards, and Halloween costumes for all.
RPD says
About to go check them out now!
46 Zone says
If they make Gumball, then they should have no problem making a stop-motion (Robot Chicken) style animated show that features the toys themselves. Kids seeing the toys in action, may actually get them to want to play with the toys.
Keep reading: Hasbro buys an Animation Studio - Page 2
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