MUMBAI: Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment has received a significant investment from global merchant bank The Raine Group.
Over the past three decades, Hollywood production company Imagine has created culture-defining stories in film and television. With Raine's investment, Imagine will further expand its creative footprint, working with content creators across the entertainment spectrum and exploring new ways to integrate storytelling and technology.
“The ways in which content is created and consumed are transforming faster than ever before, expanding in directions that hadn't been conceived even a few years ago. The opportunity to extend Imagine’s reach across this expanding landscape is a driving force for us. Through this partnership, we are incredibly excited to roll out a slate of new projects that capture the imagination and visions we share on a global scale,” said Grazer.
Raine’s investment will provide Imagine with the backing to continue its strong growth trajectory under the leadership of Grazer and Howard, enabling the company to invest in content directly with other artists. In addition to television and film production, Imagine will continue to expand into new areas such as branded content, location based entertainment and digital formats, taking advantage of new technologies and forms of distribution. The company expects to explore both organic growth opportunities as well as potential acquisitions.
Howard added, “We are proud of the legacy we have built with Imagine and are more excited than ever to build on it by tapping into our creative, experimental and entrepreneurial DNA to ignite new passion projects. This investment and partnership unlocks new doors for us as creators and for the company and its expansionary endeavours. It allows us to build upon our creative relationships to broaden our reach into all narrative formats and platforms. We appreciate Raine's support and welcome them to the Imagine family.”
Previously Raine has invested in companies like Vice Media, Matt Stone and Trey Parker's Important Studios, action sports company Nitro Circus and fantasy sports operator Draft Kings. Additional strategic co-investors brought in by Raine include China Media Capital, the Antenna Group and WPP.
“We have long admired Ron, Brian and their team as master storytellers. We are excited to invest in and partner with Imagine as they expand their many successful franchises across new mediums,” said Raine entertainment practice head Erik Hodge.
“We have built our business on the principle that content and creators are the most valuable elements in today’s media ecosystem. Imagine’s well-established reputation as a talent-friendly creative partner was incredibly important to us, and we look forward to helping them grow their business and continue to tell amazing stories and astonish and delight global audiences as they continue in this tradition,” added Raine co-founder Joe Ravitch.
In connection with the transaction, both Hodge and Ravitch will join Imagine's board.
