Strategic Shift Key to Capitalizing Canada’s Content Business, New Study
(Ottawa, February 4, 2016) – Canadian content creators do not have the same access to venture capital (VC) financing as their U.S. counterparts, and must think strategically about partnerships, acquisitions and mergers to grow their businesses, according to a new industry study by Duopoly’s Catherine Tait.
Strengthening the Business: Capitalizing Canada’s Content Business was released today at the Canadian Media Producers Association’s annual Prime Time in Ottawa conference. The report received funding support from the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC), and the Canada Media Fund (CMF). It discusses how traditional content entrepreneurs can attract increased investor activity by learning the basic “rules of the road” and reassessing the management tools used by their companies.
“In order for Canadian content businesses to reach their maximum growth potential, they must develop and constantly refine a concerted corporate strategy,” says Catherine Tait. “Companies need to set business objectives and execute them—everything from thinking about expanding into additional markets, finding new revenue streams, or entering into new lines of business.”
The study does a comparative analysis of the current investment climate for media deals in the U.S. and Canada. VC investment is more limited in Canada than the U.S. because investors are largely interested in technology-based media opportunities, even if they are content players. But companies like DHX, eOne and 9 Story are highlighted as recent Canadian examples of success that have made acquisitions in other production financing territories like the U.S, U.K and Europe.
“What Catherine’s study offers is a unique perspective of Canadian challenges in the global marketplace. She offers best practices from dozens of production companies and financiers to provide guidance and offer potential solutions for small and medium-sized companies to grow their business,” says Reynolds Mastin, President and CEO, CMPA.”
A full copy of the report can be viewed here.
About the Canada Media Fund
The Canada Media Fund (CMF) fosters, develops, finances and promotes the production of Canadian content and applications for all audiovisual media platforms. The CMF guides Canadian content towards a competitive global environment by fostering industry innovation, rewarding success, enabling a diversity of voice and promoting access to content through public and private sector partnerships. The CMF receives financial contributions from the Government of Canada and Canada’s cable, satellite and IPTV distributors. Please visit www.cmf-fmc.ca.
About the CMPA
The Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) is Canada's leading trade association for independent producers, representing more than 350 companies engaged in the production and distribution of English-language television programs, feature films and digital media. The CMPA works on behalf of members to promote and stimulate the Canadian production industry. Our goal is to ensure the continued success of Canada's independent production sector and a future for Canadian content.
About the OMDC
The Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) is the central catalyst for creative industries in the province. The OMDC promotes investment in, and leverages original content creation for, the six industries that form part of Ontario’s entertainment and creative cluster: film and television, magazine and book publishing, interactive digital media, and music.
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Contact:
Ian MacDonald
Interim Communications Manager
Canada Media Fund
416-554-2768
imacdonald@cmf-fmc.ca
Anne Trueman
Director, Communications and Media
CMPA
1.800.656.7440 ext.327
anne.trueman@cmpa.ca
George McNeillie
Communications & Board Secretary
OMDC
416-642-6619
gmcneillie@omdc.on.ca
