The fast-growing company says the move signals MGA’s strong commitment to growing its dominance in the rapidly evolving digital entertainment landscape.
MGA Entertainment has announced the formation of MGA Studios, an independent subsidiary of MGA, backed with more than a half billion dollars in cash and assets. This move underscores MGA’s continued commitment to a rapidly evolving digital entertainment landscape. In a statement, the company highlighted that more than 35 years ago, at a time when it was usual for those in the toy industry to incorporate entertainment, MGA embraced it and changed the company name from Micro Games of America to MGA Entertainment, Inc.
“While continued innovation in the toy category remains a key driver for our business, we understand the world is changing and are fully committed to carrying our winning legacy into this new and evolving digital landscape,” said Isaac Larian, founder and CEO, MGA Entertainment, Inc. “In addition to growing our large catalogue of television, movie and streaming content, through MGA Studios we aim to create smaller and safer mini universes for our children to grow and develop in a seamless digital and physical entertainment ecosystem.”
MGA Entertainment has also announced that Pixel Zoo Animation, one of the leading digital animation studios globally, is MGA Studios’ first acquisition. During the past several years, Pixel Zoo has ‘pushed the limits of high-quality animation and content for children and families’. Paul Gillett, the founder and CEO of Pixel Zoo, will continue in his role supporting MGA Studios’ growth into a dominant position globally.
“During the past few years, we have been extremely impressed by MGA’s brands: how it partners with its suppliers, as well as its creative and execution capabilities,” said Paul. “Intellectual Property development has always been an important part of our studio and this opportunity allows our team to show the world what we can do. Working with MGA has been one of the most rewarding experiences we have had, so partnering with the company is the next natural step for us. I am excited for our studio to be the first foundational building block of MGA Studios.”
MGA Studios will be charged with independently developing and growing a digital presence through acquisitions, partnerships and in-house development of innovative content and original intellectual property (IP). MGA Studios will leverage MGA Entertainment’s existing and future IP including L.O.L. Surprise!, Little Tikes Let’s Go Cozy Coupe, Rainbow High, Bratz, Baby Born, Mermaze Mermaidz, Na! Na! Na! Surprise and more, with new content and brands coming soon.
“MGA Entertainment has demonstrated time and again our ability to create multiple blockbuster brands from the ground up,” said MGA Studios president, Jason Larian. “The purpose of MGA Studios will be to facilitate the expansion of these brands beyond the toy aisle and turn them into true transmedia franchises, including entertainment, gaming, and online experiences. We are committed to bringing new partners into the fold to help realise our vision and the Pixel Zoo acquisition is the first step of many on this journey.”
MGA Entertainment and Pixel Zoo have collaborated on many notable projects during the last several years including L.O.L. Surprise! The Movie, available on Netflix; L.O.L. Surprise! House of Surprises series, available on YouTube and Netflix; Rainbow High series, available on YouTube and Netflix; Mermaze Mermaidz series, available on YouTube; Let’s Go Cozy Coupe series, available on YouTube and Amazon; and more. Their latest project together, L.O.L. Surprise! Winter Fashion Show movie, premiered on Netflix in October.
