BGF – the UK’s most active investor – has invested GBP6 million in global animation studio, Snipple, to support its ambitious growth plans to develop its own IP and content. BGF will take a minority share.Under the leadership of London based CEO Kaine Pate, Snipple Animation has worked consistently with some of the biggest broadcast networks globally, including Netflix, Warner Bros, Disney, Dreamworks and Nickelodeon.
Its portfolio of animation work boasts a variety of family favourites, such as Where’s Waldo, Dora And Friends, Into the City, Animaniacs, Green Eggs and Ham, Ducktales, Be Cool Scooby Doo and Phineas and Ferb, amongst others.
Following the investment Snipple is launching a brand-new UK-based, but internationally focused, division and team, Snipple Originals; devoted to the development of long form animated content for global audiences.
The Snipple Originals studio is open for business and ready to present its first content slate of five shows to potential broadcasters, streamers and IP partners in 2021.
Snipple Group CEO, Kaine Patel, says: “It is fantastic to be bringing on BGF at this pivotal moment in Snipple’s history, to support the business as we enter the next phase of our growth. It has been a dream for me to expand Snipple into the world of original content. It’s the perfect expression of our creativity and heritage as a studio. Snipple has established itself as a trusted production partner to the world’s most powerful studios. Now, with the launch of Originals, and backed by BGF, Snipple is set to become the source of new, exciting animated content to those same studios; entertaining kids, families and adults around the world.”
The deal was led for BGF by Tom McDonnell and Chris Morgan.
Tom McDonnell, investor at BGF, says: “As a rapidly growing, innovative and dynamic animation production business, Snipple Animations is well-placed to capitalise on significant and increasing demand for new content from the likes of Netflix, Disney and Amazon. We’re thrilled to be investing in the business and have been particularly impressed by the strength of the management team and the creative calibre of its new hires. This represents an exciting opportunity to invest in exciting talent that is competing on the world stage.”
