The stake is the latest in a series of aggressive moves by Mayer and Staggs, who hung out their shingle last year. Blackstone Acquires Moonbug Entertainment - aNb Media, Inc. LOS ANGELES & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 4, 2022--Candle Media (“Candle”), the next-generation media company run by leading entertainment executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs and backed by investment capital from Blackstone, today announced a strategic minority investment in Westbrook Inc., the media company founded by Jada Pinkett … Mayer and Staggs' company has already … The roll-up media venture led by ex-Disney execs Tom Staggs and Kevin Mayer has set its next acquisition: Faraway Road Productions, the Israeli entertainment company behind Netflix series “Fauda” and “Hit & Run,” Variety has confirmed. Westbrook Inc. Announces Strategic Minority Investment ... It has been christened Candle Media, the pair announced on Tuesday while confirming their deal to buy a minority stake in Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Inc. The deal for Tel Aviv, Israel-based Faraway — founded by and headed by Avi Issacharoff and Lior Raz (pictured above) — is the third for the … Forest Road Acquisition aims to raise $250 million for media and tech acquisitions. Moonbug Entertainment — the children’s entertainment company that owns titles including CoComelon, Blippi, and Little Baby Bum — entered into an acquisition deal with a newly formed media company that’s backed by investment capital from Blackstone. Mr. Mayer architected the development and successful rollout of Disney+ that today has over 100 million subscribers. But earlier this year, two of his former Disney colleagues — Tom Staggs and Kevin Mayer — came calling with an offer he couldn’t refuse. Candle Media, the venture led by Disney alumni Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, is continuing its aggressive acquisition and investment spree by taking a minority stake in Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s company Westbrook. Entertainment finance firm Forest Road has launched its second SPAC with Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs as co-CEOs and co-chairs. Mr. Mayer architected the development and successful rollout of Disney+ that today has over 100 million subscribers. Kevin Mayer & Tom Stagg Acquire COCOMELON Production Company Moonbug in $3B Deal. The still-unnamed media startup founded by Disney vets Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, and backed by venture capital firm Blackstone, has found its latest acquisition in Israeli production company Faraway Road Productions. The $900 million acquisition of Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine by private equity giant Blackstone is a big step toward the launch of a media holding company that will revolve around the three Cs: content, commerce and community. Faraway operates a first-look deal with Netflix and is behind the series Fauda (pictured above) and Hit & Run. By Movieguide® Staff. He also is credited with a leading role in the acquisition of ESPN. Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs are co-CEOs and co-chairs of the SPAC Forest Road Acquisition Corp II. Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs’ Candle Media buys minority stake in Westbrook. Tags: Forest Road Acquisition Corp Kevin Mayer Shaq John Bishop A graduate of Boston and Northeastern universities, John Bishop, became the beat reporter for BostonBruins.com before the B’s 2006-07 hockey season. Shaquille O'Neal, Disney media veterans Thomas Staggs and Kevin Mayer have formed Forest Road Acquisition II, a SPAC seeking $300 in an IPO. Kevin Mayer joined TikTok as its CEO in the hopes of taking charge of a booming multi-billion-dollar company. Global kids content firm Moonbug Entertainment will seek to create and acquire “more and better IP” following its recent acquisition by Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs’ Blackstone Group-backed investment outfit. Huge news for the children’s animation studio Moonbug Entertainment, as the company has been acquired by a media venture run by former Disney execs Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs. Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs’ media company has acquired a minority stake in Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Inc., the companies said on Tuesday.. Kevin Mayer is a former top executive at The Walt Disney Company overseeing its international Direct-to-Consumer business which included global streaming platforms, Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu. Mayer was involved with the purchases of BamTech Media, Pixar, Marvel Entertainment, Lucasfilm, Club Penguin and Maker Studios, as well as its agreement reached in December 2017 to acquire most of the 21st Century Fox assets. In 2010, he arranged the sale of Miramax to Filmyard Holdings. Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs are co-CEOs and co-chairs of the SPAC Forest Road Acquisition Corp II.Mayer, former TikTok CEO and Disney exec, was recently named chairman of DAZN Group. Exclusive: Moonbug to ramp up IP portfolio following acquisition. Former Disney executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs are teaming up with Shaquille O'Neal to form a second SPAC, or special purpose acquisition company. Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs Say Hello Sunshine Deal is ‘Cornerstone for What We’re Building’. He was CEO of TikTok and COO of its parent company ByteDance Ltd in 2020. Though there was a ton of chatter of possible sales and mergers, Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine was one of the first big deal announcements in the content space this summer, when former Disney execs Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs’ Blackstone-backed media venture snatched up the company for $900 million. Mayer, who had a short stint as CEO of TikTok in mid-2020 , oversaw key acquisitions at Disney including the deals to acquire 21st Century Fox, Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm. He and Staggs, a former COO and CFO of Disney and Spotify board member, continue to serve as senior advisors to their first SPAC Forest Road, … He also serves as co-chairman and co-CEO of Forest Road Acquisition Corp II and as a senior advisor to Forest Road Acquisition Corp. Tom Staggs. He might want to come up with one soon, as the outfit’s high-profile acquisition drive, which has seen it secure a megabucks deal for Reese … View Kevin Mayer’s profile on LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional community. Tinuiti Acquires Amazon Specialist Ortega Group, Adds Kevin Mayer to Board The digital marketing agency is looking to broaden its capabilities on all things Amazon and continue to make acquisitions Kevin A. Mayer. LONDON & LOS ANGELES & NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Moonbug Entertainment Ltd., the digital-first, global children’s entertainment company, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by the recently formed media company run by leading entertainment executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs and backed by investment capital … Kevin realized the value of an education as a foundation to … The new media company led by Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs has found its next acquisition. Among the investments made through that company was the acquisition of Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine company for around US$900m. The new media venture Blackstone is backing will be run by former Walt Disney Co. executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, with Hello Sunshine as its first acquisition. Kevin has 10 jobs listed on their profile. An investment firm backed by Blackstone and run by onetime Disney colleagues Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs has taken a minority stake in Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Inc.. According to Deadline, the duo is backed by Blackstone Firm, with the final price reaching $3 … Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs’ media company has acquired a minority stake in Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Inc., the companies said on Tuesday.. Tom Staggs. One massive acquisition that’s more likely—or, at least, two sources close to Mayer and Staggs tell me it looks more likely—is Moonbug Entertainment, the London-based owner of CoComelon. Kevin A. Mayer. Kevin Mayer Teases Further Acquisitions From Blackstone-Backed Media Firm & Talks Potential DAZN Premier League UK Rights Deal – … He was also involved in directing the divestitures of ABC Radio and Miramax. Kevin has 10 jobs listed on their profile. The $900 million acquisition of Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine by private equity giant Blackstone Group is a big step toward the launch of a media holding company that will revolve around the three Cs: content, commerce and community.. Disney alums Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs are guiding Blackstone’s investment in content ventures and will serve as co … He also serves as co-chairman and co-CEO of Forest Road Acquisition Corp II and as a senior advisor to Forest Road Acquisition Corp. LONDON, LOS ANGELES & NEW YORK, November 4, 2021 – Moonbug Entertainment Ltd., the digital-first, global children’s entertainment company, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by the recently formed media company run by leading entertainment executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs and backed by … Staggs is a veteran of Walt Disney Co., including as its chief financial officer and as lead of its valuable theme parks business. But if completed, the acquisition would be the second major purchase for the Blackstone group, following its purchase of Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine production company at a $900 million valuation. The media venture run by Disney alums Kevin Mayer and Tom Stags and backed by private equity firm Blackstone has acquired Moonbug Entertainment, maker of popular kids shows like CoComelon.. Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs’ Candle Media buys minority stake in Westbrook. Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs said: “We are thrilled to back Will and Jada and for the opportunity to work with Westbrook’s CEO Ko Yada and the … Former Disney execs Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs have made their second major acquisition for their new Blackstone-backed content venture. Forest Road II is led by Thomas Staggs and Kevin Mayer, who share the roles of CEO and chairperson of the proposed business. Moonbug Entertainment Ltd., the digital-first, global children’s entertainment company, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by the recently formed media company run by leading entertainment executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs and backed by investment capital from Blackstone.Moonbug’s founders CEO René … Kevin A. Mayer (born 1962) is an American business executive who is the chairman of DAZN Group. TheGrill 2021: Kevin Mayer says the direct-to-consumer shift creates a need for scale that only can only be met via acquisition The current M&A frenzy does not appear to be dying down anytime soon. Tinuiti Acquires Amazon Specialist Ortega Group, Adds Kevin Mayer to Board The digital marketing agency is looking to broaden its capabilities on all things Amazon and continue to make acquisitions Former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal has joined former Disney executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs to create Forest Road Acquisition Corp., a SPAC investment vehicle with the goal of raising $250 million for media and technology acquisitions. Shaquille O’Neal, Disney Executives Form New $300 Million Media SPAC – Sportico.com The Blackstone-backed company making the acquisition is run by former Walt Disney Co. executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs. But if completed, the acquisition would be the second major purchase for the Blackstone group, following its purchase of Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine production company at a $900 million valuation. 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