The new company has a turnover of €25 million. This size gives the enterprise more strength in the fierce competition for the acquisition of distribution rights for popular films and series. “Production houses want the assurance that their films and series reach the largest possible audience. By joining forces with Bridge and Just, we are able to offer even more comprehensive distribution coverage in the Benelux. Conversely, this ensures that we can offer retailers and cinemas a more complete portfolio. We are now becoming the leading player in the fields of Children's & Family Films, TV Series, and Documentaries,” says Philip Alberdingk Thijm, CEO of Foreign Media Group.
The new company will be led by Eric de Groot and Alex Wächtler. Both are the founders and shareholders of Just Entertainment. Alberdingk Thijm is stepping down as interim CEO of Bridge Entertainment and is focusing entirely on the management of Foreign Media Group again.
Eric de Groot views the merger as a significant move that will substantially change market dynamics. “Suddenly, a very powerful player has emerged through the pooling of forces between Bridge and Just. Our portfolios are nicely complementary, giving us a good starting point to rapidly expand our position.”
The combined portfolio of Bridge and Just includes titles such as “Bob the Builder”, “Thomas the Tank Engine”, “The Kameleon Boatmen”, “Snuf the Dog”, “Lover or Loser”, “The Hell of 63”, “The War”, “Life”, and various BBC series. The company also holds a leading position in Belgium with major DVD successes such as Flikken, Aspe and Witse, Smaak van de Keyzer, and major classic series like Zeppos.
Following the merger, the companies will be brought together at a new location in Hilversum. On that occasion, the name of the new company will also be announced.
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