Eisner’s Vuguru Scores Canadian Investment

LOS ANGELES: Vuguru, a division of Michael Eisner‘s The Tornante Company, is to be spun-off as a stand-alone entity, after securing an investment from Canada’s Rogers Media.

Eisner will serve as chairman of the newly-formed company’s board of directors. The alliance between the two companies also includes a long-term distribution agreement granting Rogers the exclusive Canadian rights to future Vuguru projects. The new-media studio, formed in late 2006, is planning a significant increase in the number of projects on its slate to 30 a year. 

“This deal not only solidifies Vuguru’s position as a leader in the new media landscape, but it also allows us to stay true to our creative and business philosophy of owning and distributing high-quality, story-driven content,” said Eisner. “Rogers is a world-class media organization and we are excited about the opportunities this relationship presents for both companies.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Michael Eisner’s Vuguru team, as they have a proven track record of making hits and producing innovative, advertiser-friendly new media content,” said Claude Galipeau, the senior VP of Rogers Digital Media. “Audiences are on the move, and we are following them across platforms and dayparts. This partnership means we can program Vuguru series exclusively for Rogers customers and advertisers across our unique range of channels, including broadband web, mobile and cable VOD.”

Upcoming projects for Vuguru include Prom Queen: The Homecoming, the next installment in the hit Prom Queen franchise; The Booth at the End, a new psychological thriller; and Pretty Tough, an adaptation of a successful young adult novel from Liz Tigelaar. The 2010 slate is expected to include 10 to 15 new series.