Fremantle to Acquire Asacha Media Group

Fremantle has entered into a conditional purchase agreement to acquire Asacha Media Group and its portfolio of labels in France, Italy and the U.K.

Asacha is comprised of eight labels across scripted, unscripted and feature films: Kabo Family (France), Mintee (France), Srab Films (France), Picomedia (Italy), Stand By Me (Italy), Arrow Media (U.K.), Red Planet Pictures (U.K.) and Wag (U.K.).

Fremantle is purchasing the group from Asacha’s founding partners, managers and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management.

Asacha will continue to be run by Gaspard de Chavagnac, co-founder and group CEO, who will report to Andrea Scrosati, Fremantle’s group COO and CEO for Continental Europe. De Chavagnac will continue to be supported by Marina Williams as chief content officer of Asacha. The portfolio of Asacha labels will continue to report to de Chavagnac.

Scrosati said: “Fremantle is proud to be investing and partnering with the very best international creative talent. Gaspard de Chavagnac, Marina Williams and Marc-Antoine d’Halluin and the incredible producers and talents that have created Asacha certainly fall into this category, and we are delighted they have chosen to join the Fremantle family. They have built an impressive portfolio of market-leading labels, each of which perfectly complements our existing businesses in each of their markets. This strategic deal underlines both companies’ ambitious growth targets, and we look forward to collaborating with their immensely talented creatives across the group.”

De Chavagnac added: “I am thrilled about this deal with Fremantle, one of the world’s leading studios for television and movie production. Fremantle will bring all its expertise and resources in premium content development and distribution, to accelerate the growth of our fantastic creative labels. I am very excited to pursue this exciting journey with Andrea Scrosati and all the Fremantle team. I also want to thank Oaktree for their support in our growth so far.”

Williams said: “In only four years, we have built Asacha to be one of Europe’s leaders in scripted and unscripted content production with a unique portfolio of global IP. I am confident that by being part of Fremantle, we will continue on the same great trajectory.”

Marc-Antoine d’Halluin, co-founder and Asacha’s vice chairman, commented: “We are very proud of what we have achieved with Asacha, a unique partnership of great scripted and unscripted producers and independent minds. We know Fremantle will respect these rare qualities and is the perfect home to continue Asacha’s successful journey.”

Mario Adario, Asacha’s chairman and managing director at Oaktree Capital Management, said: “In 2020, Oaktree launched, together with the management team, the Asacha Media Group platform with the acquisition of three production companies in France and Italy. In less than four years, Asacha has become a leader in the media industry under the stewardship of an exceptional team. We believe Fremantle is the right partner for the next chapter of Asacha’s growth.”