108 Media Acquires Singapore-Based Animation Studio

108 Media has added another company to its expanding stable, picking up a majority interest in Singaporean animation studio Robot Playground Media (RPM).

Established by Ervin Han and Bernard Toh, RPM’s credits include animated IP for Warner Bros., Disney Southeast Asia, Discovery, Mediacorp, StarHub and others. It is currently working on the animated feature film The Violinist. This latest deal follows 108 Media acquiring DCD Rights and a majority stake in Revolution Media as it looks to build itself out as a super-indie.

“We’ve always held a strong belief in being able to share exciting and diverse stories from the Asia Pacific, in particular Southeast Asia, with the world, while showcasing the unique talents in the regional animation landscape,” Han and Toh said in a joint statement. “Aside from the injection of new growth capital towards accelerating our scale-up plans in order to drive and co-produce larger and more strategic international projects, we also welcome a new global partner in 108 Media, who shares our passion and ambition in realizing the importance for Asian animated stories in all genres to be produced for global audiences.”

“We’ve been so impressed with the world-class quality and creativity on display from Robot Playground delivering to international and regional clients since their inception in 2013,” said Abhi Rastogi, CEO of 108 Media. “They fit the DNA and culture we’re building at 108 Media so well with the artistic teams they’ve assembled, mentored and led. We’re laying the groundwork of something truly special with the teams we are carefully building in our corporate and creative expansion across markets as we move into production.”

“Having been big fans of their work and experiencing first-hand their integrity and business acumen over the years I’ve known them, Ervin and Bernard are definitively some of the most respected creative producers in their field, and keenly synced with our ambition to scale internationally with the IPs we’ve acquired and cultivated,” added Justin Deimen, president of 108 Media. “Animation is an important element of our production and financing playbook moving forward, and we couldn’t have found better captains with their own distinct verve to lead the fleet we’re backing them to build.”