Xilam buys majority stake in Cube

Xilam Animation is buying a majority stake in fellow France-based producer Cube Creative, which specialises in CGI and 3D.

Marc du Pontavice

Shuriken School producer Xilam said it has entered into “exclusive negotiations” for the acquisition of a 50.1% stake in Cube.

The deal is in line with Xilam’s strategy of accelerating production of CGI animated programming, the company said.

Marc du Pontavice, Xilam’s chairman and CEO, said: “This first acquisition proposal fits perfectly with our business plan and will strengthen our strategic lead thanks to Cube Creative’s unique expertise in CGI animation. The excellent reputation of the company’s teams has been built on their creativity, their adaptability and their complete mastery of the latest technologies.”

Founded in 2002, Cube works across a variety of formats including shorts, clips, adverts, large-screen 3D films, series and features. Its clients include Cartier, Lu, Total and Kellogg’s, as well as amusement parks and French TV channels.

Regarding the latter, Cube has developed productions such as the Athleticus series, which is broadcast on pubcaster Arte, and Kaeloo (Canal+, Teletoon+, C8). It is also developing Tangranimo for France Télévisions and Pfffirates for TF1.

Xilam said the acquisition, which is intended to be completed before the end of 2019, is expected to be settled in cash. The founding directors will retain 49.9% of Cube and remain fully operational within the company.

Lionel Fages, co-founder of Cube, said: “With the teams here at Cube Creative preparing to pull off the challenge of building on our role as an upscale service provider to add the creation of IP and proprietary production, we are looking forward to joining the Xilam Animation group.

“This move will give us access to editorial and marketing expertise in the global market. Our teams and talent represent an excellent fit and our combined expertise will allow the group to become even more innovative in its production and to tackle new challenges together.”