Reaffirming the firm's commanding legal reputation in the European film and television industry, Olswang has advised Shine Group on its acquisition of market-leading online broadcaster and original content producers, ChannelFlip.
Founded in 2008 by Justin Gayner and Wil Harris, ChannelFlip has grown to become the largest creator and broadcaster of short form quality online video programming in the UK.(1) Currently one of Europe's largest premium YouTube Network with over 500 million aggregate views, ChannelFlip attracts up to 30 million monthly views to more than 7 million viewers globally.(2)
As part of Shine Group, the existing ChannelFlip team will continue to produce original content for online platforms; bringing this expertise and their proven ability in building brand partnerships and online communities to complement Shine's traditional production businesses, and in turn bolstering the group's existing multi-platform and direct to consumer offerings.
Elisabeth Murdoch, CEO and Chairman, Shine Group said: "Olswang has long been a trusted ally, their team has yet again delivered outstanding results for us and they continue to act as an exceptional business partner as they have for the past decade."
Corporate Partner Paul Guite, Olswang, commented: "Having previously advised Shine on its UK consolidation and international expansion, we were pleased to provide Shine with the cutting-edge knowledge of our team of media, technology and corporate experts to assist in the continued growth of the Shine Digital division and Shine Group's online capabilities."
ChannelFlip is the second digital business acquisition or investment identified by Shine Digital, led by Yoel Flohr the division initiates and incubates new digital ideas for Shine Group, its companies and properties. The deal follows September's acquisition of social gaming company Bossa Studios on which Olswang also advised.
The Olswang team was led by Corporate Partner Paul Guite assisted by Donall Crehan and Gabriella Cerroni (Corporate), Michael Deeks and Annie Popplewell (Share Incentives), Mark Joscelyne and Matthew Wentworth-May (Tax), Clive Gringras, Victoria Gaskell and Ben Wilkinson (MCT).
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For more information or to set up an interview please contact:
Olswang
Media & Communications Manager
Lily Cabianca
020 7067 3009
lily.cabianca@olswang.com
Shine Group
Patrick Keegan
0207 985 7021
patrick.keegan@shinegroup.tv
Notes to editors
Olswang LLP is one of Europe's leading law firms in the areas of technology, media, telecommunications and real estate. The firm comprises of nearly 700 people including 100 partners, across seven European offices. Olswang is part of a 'best friends' network of leading independent law firms throughout the world.
Real Estate Law Firm of the Year 2011, Germany -
JUVE
Law Firm of the Year - M&A Awards 2011
Chambers Asia Pacific - Corporate Finance mid-market Firm of
the Year 2011
NOA Outsourcing Advisory of the Year 2010
The Sunday Times Best Green Companies 2010
The Law Society Award for Excellence in Environmental
Responsibility 2010
Taxation Team of the Year 2010 - Taxation Awards
www.olswang.com
About Shine Group:
Shine Group includes some of the most respected and prolific production companies in the worlds of scripted and non-scripted television, now numbering 26 across three continents and responsible some of the world's best known and loved programmes. Shine Group companies include award-winning genre specialists such as UK-based Dragonfly (factual), Kudos (drama), and Princess Productions (entertainment) along with award-winning multi-genre producers Shine TV, market-leading independent US producers Reveille plus Metronome Film & Television, the Nordic region's pre-eminent production group. Shine International, the group's international distribution arm is responsible for the distribution of over 3000 hours of broadcast content annually. In the last two years the group has successfully established international companies Shine Germany, Shine France and Shine Australia and Shine Iberia as well as entering social gaming with the addition of Bossa Studios to the group in September 2011.
About ChannelFlip
Based in London, with a team of 16, Channel Flip specializes in the creation and broadcasting of high quality short form (average length just under 3 minutes) video. Most notably through in house productions, including David Mitchell's Soapbox, Richard Hammond's Tech Head and Harry Hill's Little Internet Show, all which can be viewed here http://www.channelflip.com/
The company also works with right holders to license and re-package content for online, including the recent deal with Studio Canal for short form access to 2,500 classic titles, seen here http://www.youtube.com/classicclipstv.
1. Over 5000 videos
between 3-5 minutes in length created since 2008
2. You Tube
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