Natalie Osborne promoted to Managing Director of 9 Story’s expanded distribution division
Toronto, Canada – July 24, 2013 – 9 Story Entertainment announced today the closing of its agreement with CCI Kids, the family content division of CCI Entertainment, under which 9 Story has acquired the underlying rights to CCI Kids’ owned children’s and family library. Under the terms of the agreement, 9 Story has also gained distribution rights for CCI Releasing’s other titles in the kids and family genre, totaling over 1,000 half hours of content
With this significant expansion, Natalie Osborne has been promoted to Managing Director of the company’s distribution division, 9 Story Enterprises, and will continue to report to Vince Commisso, President and CEO, 9 Story Entertainment. An experienced industry executive in content distribution and brand development, Natalie joined the company in 2006 to launch 9 Story Enterprises and now oversees all worldwide sales, consumer products and strategic partnerships.
“This acquisition has more than doubled our portfolio, strengthened our sales capabilities and enhanced our overall position for digital platforms,” said Vince Commisso, President and CEO of 9 Story Entertainment. “As part of this expansion, we are thrilled to promote Natalie to the newly created position of Managing Director. Natalie has been instrumental in 9 Story’s growth and we are confident she will continue to build on this success and take the company to even greater heights.”
Now joining the 9 Story sales team, and reporting to Natalie Osborne are: Jill Keenleyside as Vice President Distribution, Federico Vargas as Director, Sales and Kristin Lecour as Director, Consumer Products.
“Jill, Federico and Kristin bring tremendous experience and in-house expertise and we are delighted to welcome them to our sales team,” said Natalie Osborne. “This is an exciting time for 9 Story Enterprises and we look forward to pursuing new opportunities with a fresh portfolio of content.”
CCI’s extensive children’s and family library includes such successful titles as Artzooka, Harry and His Bucketful of Dinosaurs, Turbo Dogs, Extreme Babysitting, Erky Perky, GeoFreakZ, and classics such as Sharon, Lois & Bram’s Elephant Show.
9 Story Entertainment is one of the industry’s leading creators, producers and distributors of award-winning animated and live-action content for young audiences around the world. With one of North America’s largest animation studios based in Toronto, 9 Story has over 200 creative and production staff, and has produced over 800 half hours of quality children’s and family programming, seen on some of the most respected children’s channels around the world across multiple platforms. The company’s distribution arm 9 Story Enterprises represents a growing catalogue which includes several beloved brands such as Arthur, Wibbly Pig, Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars, Wild Kratts and Almost Naked Animals in addition to popular new series such as Camp Lakebottom, Cache Craze, Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood and Nerds and Monsters. www.9story.com
CCI Entertainment is a leading IP development, production and international distribution company based out of Toronto, Canada, with a successful track record spanning twenty-five years. CCI has been particularly recognized in the area of family television, lifestyle programming, documentaries and movies having been responsible for thousands of hours of award-winning entertainment for the world market. www.ccientertainment.com
Contacts:
For 9 Story – Mary Powers, MPowers Communications +1 416 767 8692 mpowers@mpowers.ca