sister group (Black doves, Chernobyl, London gangs, The greatest night in pop,That’s ChristmasThe global independent studio founded by Elisabeth Murdoch and Jane Featherstone has acquired a majority stake in digital-first creative production company After Party Studios, the company revealed on Tuesday.
Financial details were not disclosed.
Founded in 2016 and focused on the intersection between digital and mainstream content, After Party Studios was created by YouTuber Callum McGinley, also known as Callux, film and commercial director Ben Doyle, CEO Joshua Barnett, a former ITV executive, and Base79 founder Richard Mansell.
Sister said its investment will advance the company’s “ambitions to strengthen its award-winning original intellectual property, branded entertainment, and digital A-listers” which will allow it to join founder-led partner companies within the company’s own portfolio that includes TV and film (Sister Pictures, Dorothy St Pictures, Yes Yes Media, Locksmith Animation, South of the River, Unanimous Media), and podcasting (Campside). media), publishing (Zando, AWA) and music and live experiences (Coco).
After Party Studios series and formats include Sky Sports docuseries viewerChannel 4.0 hits Don’t get caught, Find… and Listen to meannual Sideman Charity Match at Wembley Stadium and Netflix-enabled digital content House of Guinness, Strange things and Being Gordon Ramsay. She has also worked on campaigns for the likes of Red Bull and Just Eat.
Her upcoming projects include: In Search of Peace with Jordan Stevens For MTV UK, race to the top, The docuseries following KSI’s takeover of Dagenham & Redbridge FC, and the ongoing social rollout of the SNL UKms digital series Five to live For Sky One.
“The After Party Studios team occupies a unique space – a digital-native creative company driven by creator instincts and built on deep relationships with top-tier talent, brands, platforms and execution,” said Lucinda Hicks, CEO of Sister. “Our partnership enables them to continue doing what they do brilliantly, creating groundbreaking intellectual property, deepening direct relationships with audiences and shaping the next era of digital storytelling.”“
“Over the past decade, we’ve built After Party Studios alongside some of the best talent in front of and behind the camera, making work creatively ambitious and always striving to push online culture forward,” said McGinley and Doyle, co-founders of After Party Studios. “We’ve always cared deeply about storytelling, craft and authenticity in a space that has historically rewarded the opposite, because we believe it’s the future of online entertainment. Joining the Sister family feels like a natural fit. Their track record of championing bold, distinctive storytelling makes them an ideal partner and we We take the company to the next chapter.
Barnett, co-founder and CEO of After Party Studios, added: “This partnership with Sister brings together our complementary strengths and shared creative ambition, opening up truly limitless possibilities. Together, we can continue to push boundaries and pioneer the next direction the industry is heading. I can’t wait for the next, completely game-changing chapter to begin.”
“Sister has always championed excellence in storytelling in all its forms, empowering exceptional creative entrepreneurs to do their best work and where each company is an addition to the whole,” said Murdock, co-founder and CEO, and Featherstone, co-founder and chief creative officer of Sister. “Callum, Ben, Josh and their ridiculously talented team are exactly that – engaging storytellers committed to excellence and connecting with audiences wherever they are.” They highlighted “the many opportunities for new and impactful collaborations.”
The deal was brokered by Chris Fry, COO of Sister, Barnett, and Kevin Daily, CFO of After Party Studios. After Party Studios was notified about the deal by Waypoint Partners. Sister is repped by CMS, and After Party Studios by Harbottle & Lewis.
