KOSDAQ-listed Carriesoft signed a contract to acquire 100% equity of Ace Factory from Metaverse Entertainment, a subsidiary of Netmarble F&C, formalizing its shift into a comprehensive content corporation.
Ace Factory, whose 100% equity was contracted for acquisition by Carriesoft, is an actor management agency and drama production company representing a total of 35 actors, including Lee Jong-seok, Lee Joon-hyuk, Yoo Jae-myung, Yeom Hye-ran, Yoon Se-ah, Lee Kyu-hyung, Jang Seung-jo and Choi Dae-hoon. In addition to training new actors, it has built a solid roster through the active work of trusted actors, and in drama production it has presented a wide range of works spanning romance and genre pieces, from the Stranger series to When the Weather Is Fine, Insider, Blood Free and Dongjae, the Good or the Bastard. In particular, with the Stranger series, a drama honored with the grand prize at the Baeksang Arts Awards, it proved both artistic merit and popular appeal and was recognized for its high level of content production capability.
Carriesoft has grown based on a multi-layered IP portfolio including animation, YouTube-based content and web content, and after acquiring Ace Factory it plans to complete a vertically integrated structure that links IP planning–production–distribution. In addition, by securing capabilities to produce live-action content in various formats, it aims to establish itself as an integrated content studio system.
Meanwhile, on the same day Carriesoft also announced an investment in TEAMHOPE. TEAMHOPE is a full-service entertainment company gathering popular actors such as Byun Yo-han, Lee Ha-nee, Um Tae-goo and Kwon Yul, and is expected to generate various synergies with Carriesoft and Ace Factory, a subsidiary of Carriesoft.
This acquisition and investment are not only part of a strategy to secure content competitiveness but are also seen as a key step in Carriesoft's corporate restructuring and content portfolio expansion strategy. The company plans to accelerate its medium- to long-term strategies such as new IP development, business expansion, M&A and global collaboration based on funds raised through the ongoing rights offering.
Also, on the 4th Netmarble F&C decided to participate in Carriesoft's rights offering, which is expected to strengthen the long-term cooperative structure between the two companies.
A company official said the rights offering and investment are a strategic turning point for Carriesoft's leap into a comprehensive content corporation targeting all generations, and said the company will create a new form of K-content competitiveness through convergence among various genres such as animation, drama, web content and games.
Carriesoft plans to sequentially disclose its new content lineup, IP expansion roadmap and integration strategy after the transaction closes.<
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]