IMAC makes a further £2m investment in Whizz Kid Entertainment. Whizz Kid, in turn, announces a deal with Precious Media.
22 February 2008
Ingenious Media Active Capital Limited ("IMAC") has today completed a further investment of up to £2m in the television production company Whizz Kid Entertainment Limited ("Whizz Kid"). This follows IMAC's initial investment of £2.25m in June 2006, when Whizz Kid was formed in partnership with Malcolm Gerrie.
Since then, Whizz Kid has continued its strong performance of winning commissions under Malcolm's leadership, successfully producing a number of high-profile events including the Orange British Academy Film Awards, the BAFTA TV Awards, Elton John's 60th birthday concert at Madison Square Gardens, George Michael at the new Wembley Stadium and a series for Living called Beauty and the Best. In 2007, Whizz Kid also filmed the all-night launch and signing of the final Harry Potter book featuring the author JK Rowling. Most recent commissions include a 25-part live music series - The JD Set - sponsored by Jack Daniels, Help! I've Got A High Maintenance Wife which recently aired on Channel Five and more than doubled the channel's normal slot performance and a new 3-part prime time entertainment series for Channel 4.
Whizz Kid will put some of the new funds to work in acquiring a controlling stake in Precious Media Limited (''Precious Media''), a joint venture with Peter Christiansen. Precious Media will focus on improving margins for content rights holders such as Whizz Kid through strategies such as multi-platform distribution and bringing together brands interested in sponsorship and programmes which require funding. Peter has a long and distinguished career in television content and, until recently, was CEO of Zeal Television, a specialist in format sales which represents some of the UK's leading producers.
Sanjay Wadhwani, Director of Ingenious Ventures, Manager of IMAC, said:
''I am delighted with the progress Whizz Kid has made since IMAC's initial investment in June 2006. I look forward to further growth as Whizz Kid continues to win high profile commissions and makes further strides in multi-platform and branded content.''
Malcolm Gerrie, CEO of Whizz Kid, said:
''In 2006, with IMAC's backing, we founded Whizz Kid with the goal of building a new leader in high quality television programming for the international marketplace. In that short time we have secured a raft of high profile TV commissions and produced content for major brands.''
''The further investment from IMAC is the next chapter in the Whizz Kid story as we strengthen our presence in the market through strategic partnerships with companies such as Precious Media.''
Enquiries:
Ingenious Ventures, Investment Manager to IMAC
Patrick McKenna
Sanjay Wadhwani
020 7319 4000
Fishburn Hedges, PR adviser to IMAC
Andy Berry
Michelle James
020 7839 4321
Landsbanki, NOMAD and Broker to IMAC
John Craven
Fred Walsh
020 7426 9000
Whizz Kid
Malcolm Gerrie
020 7440 2550
About IMAC (www.imaclimited.com)
Ingenious Media Active Capital Limited is an investment company which aims to provide investors with capital growth from equity or equity related investments in predominantly unquoted media and entertainment companies. IMAC is an initiative of, and its investments are managed by, Ingenious Ventures Limited, which is the private equity division of Ingenious Media plc.
About Whizz Kid Entertainment (www.whizzkid.tv)
In 2006 Whizz Kid was created to produce top quality programmes across a wide-range of genres including entertainment; factual entertainment; events and music and has experienced in-house specialists in each field.
Whizz Kid Entertainment is at the forefront of the UK and international marketplace for branded content and advertiser-funded programming going beyond traditional broadcasting into mobile and digital media platforms.
